Four years ago I began blogging. I hadn't even realized it until Beth of I'm Heading Towards My Destiny wrote a post celebrating her four year blogoversary. I checked the archives of Heart Choices and realized that my first post was on March 16, 2007.
Some of my early posts were about beauty. I was concerned as I saw young girls trying to look like the models in the magazines. I had seen a short video produced by Dove.
So many unrealistic expectations on women, including me!
Now that I have turned 58, it's much harder to keep up the outward looks. When I look in the mirror, I wonder who that person is sometimes. Inside I feel one way but outside ...I look different.
As a Christian, it's what's inside that is most important. I know that! I don't judge others by their looks. And yet, I find I'm very critical of myself.
My friend Jill of Forever N Ever N Always created an I AM BEAUTIFUL project. She is challenging women from all over to join in. I encourage you to link over and read all about it. I still haven't posted my photo but ... I will.
In the meantime, I am posting the song "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North for Then Sings My Soul Saturday. I'm linking up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.
The words have an important message that goes along with the I AM BEAUTIFUL project.
Blessings and love,
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[name=DEBBIE PETRAS]
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Happy Blogoversary beautiful Debbie! I'm so glad we connected on this side of heaven!
ReplyDeleteI will have to hop over to Jill's to see what you're talking about.
Love you!
Beth
I hear that song on the radio all the time - and absolutely love it! Thanks for sharing! =)
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th blogging birthday!
Happy 4th blogging birthday! I'm so thankful for your blog and for all of the sweet and precious and encouraging comments you leave on my blog. You're a blessing :)
ReplyDeleteI love Tenth Avenue North! Great song.
I hope you are doing well and that you have an awesome weekend :)
- Kate
I love that song Debbie . . . AND what an awesome topic. There was a time when I was overly concerned with how I looked. I still care, of course. But, since I have surrendered my life to Jesus, I've found that I feel more beautiful from the inside out. I find myself being more concerned with what's going on in my heart and mind. I see other women so caught up in how they look . . . what they're wearing . . . and it is sad. I pray for an awakening in this area in the lives of women.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you!
Cherie
First, congratulations on 4 years of blogging! Your blog is one of the very first Christian blogs I read and it has always been a blessing! Thank you for being an encouragement to me!
ReplyDeleteSecond...yes, inner beauty, beauty in Christ, is what matters. But, it is difficult sometimes to ignore the changes we experience in our external appearance. Isn't it awesome that our God sees what is inside first? I'm going to check out Jill's "I Am beautiful" project.
Have a great weekend, Debbie!
Everyone should see that video. It is amazing what they do to that girl.
ReplyDeleteIt is really sad how much society puts so much emphases on looks. As long as you keep yourself neat and clean, what else is there?
LOVE the song, "You are More!" Great music. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to reading more of your posts!
ReplyDeleteMissy (aka MomZookeeper)
www.momzookeeper.com
Awesome message in this song! Thanks for your thoughts in your post today. I just had my 60th birthday and the changes are happening much faster! So Thankful for Jesus in my life these days
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, check out my post today. I think we were kinda thinking along the same lines, God must have really wanted this message out there! Happy Bloggoversary to you....Lori
ReplyDeleteWell, good for you and Happy Blogaversary! I've missed you, and your happy smiling face. I had wondered where you were. It's good to know we are almost the same age too! We are so buds! I love love the song you've shared, the entire Post is worth the time to read and listen too. Something to really think about. Thank you my friend, and don't stay away so long next time. God speed, and have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all these years of blogging...oh my, weren't you the pioneer...I hadn't even heard of a blog until a little over a year ago.
ReplyDeleteYes we all get caught up in the world's view of beauty, which also changes...in the past I would have the right type of body, but thanks to Twiggy, I don't! It is all a heart issue isn't it.
Love this song..it is great!
The Dove piece was very telling. No wonder we can never measure up. Sad. I love the 10th Avenue song. May we keep this message near!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie!
Wonderful post, Debbie. I'm so glad you are blogging. Happy Anniversary! Love you~
ReplyDeleteJennifer
DEar Debbie,
ReplyDeleteThe Dove video made me laugh,- and then feel sorry for the young generation. They say that youth in their last 20ies are using botox. So sad, really.
We are created in the picture of God, all of us. Nevertheless, even in the Old Testament there's talk about beauty, outer and inner.
I never was an outward beauty, so I know nothing about that, but I am familiar with my own vanity.
That's why I was surprised by my own inner peace the other week, when I talked with a salesman, and said something like, "You know old women like me.e.t.c." The polite guy said, "Oh, you sure aren't that old." Suddenly I heard my own voice say, "Yes, I am 61 years old, and you have have no idea how relaxing it is being able to be that old, and never have to pretend. You have much to look forwards to."
I said it with a smile, and I just felt how relieving it was acknowledging my age with pride.
My wrinkles are spurs I have won in a tough battle.
I don't feel ashamed.
(Yet I have not stopped dying my hair. Maybe I'll even get more dignity revealing my silver threads? )
I do care about my health though, because health means freedom to do the things I love the most.
There's a tiny balance in everything.
God help us all to find that, and still have peace in mind.
From felisol
I love this song sister Debbie..I am so glad that God looks into our hearts, not our physical appearances! It is sad what is being shown in tv or other forms of media...it's all vanity...
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that some people will go too far to have their looks fixed, too. Lots of money spent for things that will not last anyway...God bless you sister and may you have a wonderful rest of the week ahead! Love to you.
Well, Debbie, I would love for you to come by and have tea. I see from your blog that we are the exact same age. I will be the big 59 on July 29 and then I guess the big 60 will be next. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteI love Jill and she is such an inspiration through her blog.
Blessings for a beautiful Lord's Day!
Thanks for this song Debbie!
ReplyDeleteI am also very critical of myself.
Happy Blogoversary!
Thank you so much Debbie for joining in and wanting others to be empowerd by His truth and love!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Happy 4th blogging anniversary! :-D You do it well!
Love you!
Jill
Happy Blogoversary my friend! I will be participating in Jill's project. Haven't submitted my picture yet either!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I love this topic. I'll turn 40 next year, and the wrinkles are coming. :-) But I love what the first commenter said about wrinkles being spurs that we've won. When I wonder sometimes if I'll be tempted to get plastic surgery, I think about what kind of example I want to set for my daughter. I want her to see that age is honorable, not something to be erased.
ReplyDeleteI love that song and all that it implies! The world would have us become human-doings, or human-havings. How refreshing to rest in the certainly that we are merely His human beings.
ReplyDeleteBeing content,
Kathleen
I'm about the same age as you and sometimes I'm amazed at what I look like now...especially in photos. Like you, I still feel young and I'm not quite ready to embrace what the Bible says about white hair! I love the song you posted here...such an important message for today when kids are told to look a certain way in every ad and magazine they see.
ReplyDelete10th Avenue North have some really good songs. Oh, I am just as critical of myself as well dear one. Appreciate the post very much. Blessings.
ReplyDelete"You Are More" is a great song. It makes me think of the sermon we heard this morning. The theme for the entire year at our church is GRACE. Thanks for posting this. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteA great video ~ It will be 4 years of blogging for me in July I believe. Thanks so much for your sweet visit and comments. Love you~
ReplyDeletehi debbie! congratulations on your 4th anniversary in blogging. i haven't checked mine but i know my first blog post was 2004. wow, how time flies.
ReplyDeletelove the video! and m heading to that "beauty" site to check it out. =)
Debbie - Happy anniversay! Just think of all the people you have blessed during those four years with your cheerful posts.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you - Marsha
You are the leader Debbie! I can't think of anyone else who does it better! Congratulations on 4 years!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think I have nothing else to say, but that seems to be a temporary thing, cuz the words keep coming. :)
Thanks for the comments here today, so important for us to remember as women, and in today's world, it's so easy to get your focus off kilter. Everything is designed to major on outer beauty. I've spent more than my share on products that claim WAY more than they deliver, just like most of us, but I love this message... it reinforces what really matters.
Good grief! I KNOW I'm beginning to sound like my mother! :)
Happy Blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteI hope that my inside can reflect Christ and shine Him! :)
That Dove commercial is powerful and interesting to watch. I had my 10 year old daughter watch it too. :O)
ReplyDeleteHi dear friend,
ReplyDeleteYour message is so encouraging!
Congratulations on all the years you've shared GOD on your blog. I've been blessed since we connected early 2008 online.
Praying that all girls, young ladies and women would see themselves (ourselves) through God's eyes and not through the way the world defines us.
Love ya!