I haven't exercised this week. Shame on me. I have had a major pity party this week. Shame on me. I got some new clothes today. I feel better. I feel pretty. Yeah Me!
This blog is dedicated to the glory of God. It is all about how the outside doesn't define us. The heart does. It's also an honest blog. It's about how the outside does affect how the inside feels.
For the past year, I've been wearing pretty much the same thing to work each week. I wear jeans, my husband's clothes, a few shirts, and not much else. Why? Because not much else that I own fits me.
Today that changed.
My ultra sweet, wise, and fashion smart mother in law took me shopping. I called her a few weeks ago. I gave her my budget and told her my longings for pretty clothes and a better body. She took me out for an hour and in that hour changed my whole perspective.
First thing she said, "Melissa, you are wearing men's clothes. Stop that. You are a woman. A Beautiful woman. Do not wear your husband's clothes. You are covering the beautiful woman that you are." She took me to a store. She sent me to the dressing room. I stayed in there and she brought me clothes. And they fit. They looked good. They made me look pretty. I even looked lighter. And I did feel better.
At first, I was thinking to myself...."clothes should not make me feel better....feelings are fickle and they change with the wind....so why do I feel better for looking better?" But the truth is, we do feel better....WHEN OUR CLOTHES FIT!!!!!!
I spent $120 today. I got a pair of jeans, a skirt, a shrug, 3 shirts, and a pair of shoes. And I love them. Stacey and Clinton would be proud. (What Not To Wear)
So, does the outside make you feel better? For a while maybe. But it's not permanent. It's only temporary, while you are looking in the mirror maybe. The inside has to be there in order to have a lasting beauty. But I have to be honest here....the outside does make a difference.
I don't have much more to say tonight. Do you? If so, share please.
You guys are always so insightful!
Love you!
Melissa
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6 comments:
You are beautiful!!!!! Glad you were able to go with your mother-in-law to get new clothes.... shopping is fun!!! my church is doing a clothes to go drive this weekend and I helped out today and it was fun I even picked out a lot of stuff for a friend.... anywho... always remember you are beautiful!!!! Congrats on losing 20 lbs!!!! love ya!!! ~Jen
You have a wonderfully wise mother-in-law! Sounds like you had a lot of fun!!! I can't believe you got all that for $120.00!!! Fabulous shopping!!!
I'm struggling with weight right now too. Sitting every day, all day at the hospital doesn't promote weight loss...neither does the eating I do when I come home feeling frustrated, confused and sad. The only exercise I'm getting these days is walking up the 7 flights of stairs to my Dad's room each day. I get weighed once a week at home, and the numbers keep climbing. Usually I'm pretty good on the self-control, willpower front, but right now I'm lacking in that department too. Need to get a handle on things before the numbers on the scale become too high.
Sorry...no great words of insight today.
Hope you have a wonderful day. Praying for you, your Mom and all your family!
Hugs,
Joy
"The Definition of Me"
Everybody's got an opinion
Of what they want me to be
Everybody's got a condition
That I may never meet
So tired of looking in the mirror
‘Cause it always says the same thing
I want to be about something different
Something more than the mirror can see
Like joy, peace
Alive in me
When it comes to my identity
I want the love
I want the light
I want the beauty
On the inside
I want the one that you can't see
To be the definition of me
More than the face
More than the girl
More than the voice
More than the world
I want the truth that I believe
To be the definition of me
Pretty is cool for a minute
But it will always fade away
Trends are hot for a second
But they'll be gone the very next day
So before you get lost in the moment
Let’s get one thing clear
Only love will last forever
That's the reason that we're here
It's up to you ‘cause everybody's looking
Who do you want them to see?
I want Your love to be
The very heart of me
Jesus, I want You to be
Living inside of me
Hi, Melissa. I located you through a friend. You have definitely found your voice as a writer. I can relate to you--we all can. You have a relevant message. Although, I don't feel beautiful, by faith I am fully persuaded that God doesn't make "ugly". "He has made everything beautiful in its time" according to Ecclesiastes. "Everything" includes me.
I'm emerging from a long journey through menopause that has taken a massive toll on my 27-year marriage, my body, my family -- my entire existence. I recently got miraculous results from the use of the estrogen patch. Thank you, Jesus, for medicine.
I love the first chapter of Genesis where man is given dominion over the earth and everything that grows in and lives on it. In verses 26 and following, man is commanded to populate and "subdue" the planet. I believe modern medicine is making unbelievable strides in subduing the earth and accomplishing some great good. Even though we have also let sin come in and pervert a lot of that good -- drug abuse, addiction, etc.--I am amazed at the good "stuff" God has hidden in the earth and in our own bodies.
During my eight year journey I have gone from 135 pounds to almost 190. I have a lot of work to do not just to lose the weight, but to build my family back, so I will be checking your blog regularly for encouragement. Thank you for being so transparent and real.
Recently, my oldest son, kind of an "edgy, artsy, believer", told me that he loves the phrase "namaste". It is traditionally a Hindu greeting, but the sisters in Calcutta have claimed it for the leper colony in which they serve. It has come to mean, "I see God in you." They voice these words over the lepers that they love and serve. This story comes to mind b/c I see God in you, Melissa. And that makes you simply breathtaking.
Thank you for letting Him use you so uniquely. You are beautiful.
I too know what it's like to feel blue and "unpretty". You are very lucky to have a mom-in-law that took you out and was able to give you the therapy you needed. I think the "girl time" your mom-in-law took with you and made it about you is what made you feel wonderful. The clothes were just the icing. We all need someone to pick us up once in a while. Life can wear you down with all the daily demands.
I want you to know that I've been reading your blog for a while now. I am happy to hear that you lost weight, maintaining and continuing is the challenge. But I believe God wants us to come to him when we feel weak in strength for ourselves. If I remember to remind myself that my body is God's temple, I feel I can succeed.
You are a wonderful writer and I enjoy the fact that you are real. Your family is fortunate to have you. Out of selfishness though, I'm glad you write so I can feel not-so-alone with my feelings.
Keep your chin up, put on a new outfit, try a new hairstyle for the day and maybe a new flavor of coffee. Then take a deep breath and let our Father know you are his thankful and beautiful child.
Hugs.......
Jen
thank you for your honest open sharing. I've been on my own journey and seeing you here and reading yours is an encouragment. Blessings. Sarah
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