Yesterday I went to a friend's wedding. I've known her since 3rd or 4th grade! We lost touch for a while, but a few years ago we reconnected through Facebook. She was sweet enough to invite my sister and I to her wedding, and what a beautiful wedding it was!
While at the wedding, a couple things happened:
1. When Tracy and I arrived, we crossed paths with the mother of the bride. We hadn't seen her since I was in junior high! The first thing she said (after our names) was, "You look so beautiful!"
2. An older lady (I would guess in her 70s?) commented on how pretty my dress was and that I looked beautiful in it.
3. Two ladies asked me for help with the crossword puzzle the bride and groom had put together. After I helped them, they said, "We knew you'd know the answer! We remember you from the shower." I thought this was a funny exchange, because I wasn't at the shower...
The third one isn't so much a self-esteem booster as it is funny, but the other two are HUGE self-esteem boosters. I rarely think of myself as pretty, and this came at just the right time. I have been working to change how I eat and limit the junk I put into my body. I wouldn't say I'm quite to "clean eating" yet, but I am on the way there. I have been feeling SO much healthier, and I have lost almost 20 pounds since about 2 months ago! I have been feeling better about my body image issues (as a result? or just because?), and the comments at the wedding only made me feel better! I am so grateful for people I know and people I've never met who share positive statements like this with me. While I fully acknowledge (and possibly admit) that my self-worth is (should not be?) based on my appearance, I tend to think that it is. My pattern has been to use my beauty (or seeming lack-thereof) as a basis for how important or special I am. I know this to be false, and strongly believe it is a seed of doubt/hurt sown into my mind by Satan. I cannot thank these ladies enough for sharing God's message of beauty (even when I don't always feel beautiful) with me. I am beautiful, and so are each one of you! God doesn't make mistakes-he loves you JUST AS YOU ARE!
How nice of them to say that to you! I think a lot of people think things in their minds and then don't say them out loud. I know many times I've thought nice things about people and then never told them, for whatever reason (I was shy, or I didn't know them well enough). Your story is a good reminder that we should all be more vocally encouraging to each other.
ReplyDeleteAnd #3 is hilarious.
You are beautiful and don't forget it! :)
XO,
Julie
I miss you! I completely agree! So often I don't speak up...I will make it a goal to do so!
Delete:)