Have you ever noticed the tendency to excuse the way you look? When you meet a person under the not-so-ideal circumstances, do you say, "I know, I look horrible. I usually don't..."
If you have never done this, you are my idea of Superwoman. I have the tendency to have this tendency all the time.
This week I had to submit a photo for a devotion I wrote for the Proverbs 31 division, She Seeks. I started to attached the professional photoshopped image, but something just did not feel right. I felt like I was cheating.
Maybe because my devotion was about being real.
All of a sudden, I knew I could not submit that picture. Everything in me wanted to send it. "There will be people I don't know reading this devotion...I have to look my best!"
But looking my best at the expense of losing my message?
Not ideal.
So I did the unthinkable...I took a picture without make-up.
Yes, for the world to see.
I saw a million things wrong with that photo. Everything in me wanted to delete it and send in a "good" picture, one with make-up and perfection. I wanted to throw my idea out the window and pretend it never occurred to me.
But I didn't. I attached the photo and started typing. I typed and typed away, listing all the excuses I could think of for why my picture looked so "bad". I apologized for my face. I justified the photo through my devotion. I said I wanted to be "real"...so sorry.
And then I deleted. I realized that my excuses were not only unnecessary; they were wrong. Why should I make excuses for not wearing make-up? Why should I ever feel like I have to excuse the way I look? Why do I care about the opinion of women on the other side of the computer screen?
I shouldn't. I know that perfection is not where my beauty lies. I know that God created me without make-up, and I don't need make-up to be seen as beautiful. I don't need perfection.
What I need is to be real.
So I sent the image, imperfections and all. Despite my worries. Despite my fears. Despite my excuses.
God doesn't make excuses for His creation, so why should we?
Verse: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:31)
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1 comment:
Wow! you are brave! I hardly ever wear makeup, but even when I do, I hate having my picture taken, because every time I see a pic of me, i hate it, and all I can think about is the faults in the pic, or how ugly I look! I make excuses all the time "Oh my hair wasn't brushed, Arg, I wasn't wearing makeup! oh that top looks awful, don't pay attention to it" etc.
So what you said is very true!
Awesome post!
Your sister in Christ
Alesia
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