When I logged onto facebook today, I noticed a new link posted from a group I joined, called "protect marriage: one man, one woman." Now, when I got the invitation for this group, I was like, "okay, this lines up with my beliefs. Why not, I'll join." When I saw the caption of the link that had been posted, however, my stomach twisted a little and I began to regret joining this particular group. Essentially, the link was a news story about a homosexual immigrant man who tricked a heterosexual woman into marrying him so that he could get a green card. The caption above the link, posted by the creator of the group, read as follows:
"Here's an example of the point of view gay people have of marriage. For them, it's a means to an end. For this gay man, marriage was the means to a green card. For the rest of the homosexuals, since it's all they whine about, marriage is merely the means for them to get government benefits. Can you see how marriage is just a 'tool' for them?"
There were some brave souls who commented and called the leader of this group out, but others agreed wholeheartedly. I don't know how this comes off to all of you, but it came off to me as an attack, judgmental and hateful, and it made me sick. I certainly don't agree with gay marriage, but I also believe that we are all sinners, whether homosexual or heterosexual, and Christ died for sinners. We are called to LOVE them, because Christ loved them enough to die for them, just as He did for us. The bible says that to the measure which we judge others on earth, that is the same measure God will judge us in heaven. I admit, I struggle with this just as much as the next person. But I say that we stop spewing self-righteous hypocrisy and start LOVING others as God calls us to love...by loving EVERYONE.
I'm all for freedom of speech, but tell me, whatever happened to common human decency?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Looking beyond the mirror.
As I strip off my clothes at the end of the day to prepare for an evening of comfort and "homework" (a.k.a. a few aimless hours of shameless facebook stalking) I study myself in the mirror. As I do, I see an average looking face that has never seemed to capture much attention. I see a stomach that would benefit from a hardcore ab workout. I see thighs that, without the restricting power of my blue jeans, could use some serious toning. I see all of this as I look at myself through my human eyes, and I frown in disappointment. "If you could only be prettier," I think to myself.
Then, in the stillness, I hear a whisper.
"Look beyond the mirror, my daughter."
Heeding the whisper, I begin to consider myself from a new perspective, beyond what the image in the mirror tells me. Instead of seeing something average, I see something extraordinary.
I see a heart that longs to love with reckless abandon, and be loved in the same way. I see a quiet, joyful spirit that loves a good laugh and good friends more than anything, and would go to any length just to brighten someone's day. I see a deep, lasting joy that cannot be quenched by negative thoughts or worldly troubles. I see a girl who has been matured and strengthened by the trials that have come her way. I see a heart washed clean by the blood of a Savior. I see myself as God's beautiful, beloved daughter, created for His glory.
As I consider my identity beyond the mirror, I find myself beginning to see the image in the mirror a different way. I find that, all things considered, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, what I see is not such a bad thing after all. In fact, while it is not a model-esque image, it is beautiful in its own way--because I realize in that moment that it is not an image that can be found anywhere else in the entire world. It is mine alone, and that is a thought to be treasured.
We had a presentation in my social problems class this morning about eating disorders, and the group revealed that girls as young as six years old in society today are struggling with anorexia and bulimia. Six years old. Most girls start considering their physical image between ages 9 and 11. It starts young, friends. Too young. No six year old girl should have to spend time feeling so insecure about her image that she destroys her own body. No girl PERIOD should have to.
Every girl remembers the days of Barbie. She was the young girl's standard of perfection. Consider this, though. An interesting study was done about what Barbie's real life proportions would be, and they are terribly unrealistic. Real life Barbie would be six feet tall, weigh 100 pounds, and wear a size four. She would have a 39 inch bust size (think 39 FF bra size), a 19 inch waist, and 33 inch hips. Basically, she would lack the ability to walk from being so top heavy, and she'd probably require numerous back surgeries.
God made each of us different and beautiful in our own way, and I think it's time the world stopped selling beauty in one-size-fits-all package. We weren't all made to be models. Our bodies are temples, and God desires us to show them respect, no matter how they look to us.
Ladies, don't let anyone tell you that you aren't beautiful, because you have a heavenly Father who would soundly disagree.
1 Samuel 16:7--"...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
In love,
Liz
Then, in the stillness, I hear a whisper.
"Look beyond the mirror, my daughter."
Heeding the whisper, I begin to consider myself from a new perspective, beyond what the image in the mirror tells me. Instead of seeing something average, I see something extraordinary.
I see a heart that longs to love with reckless abandon, and be loved in the same way. I see a quiet, joyful spirit that loves a good laugh and good friends more than anything, and would go to any length just to brighten someone's day. I see a deep, lasting joy that cannot be quenched by negative thoughts or worldly troubles. I see a girl who has been matured and strengthened by the trials that have come her way. I see a heart washed clean by the blood of a Savior. I see myself as God's beautiful, beloved daughter, created for His glory.
As I consider my identity beyond the mirror, I find myself beginning to see the image in the mirror a different way. I find that, all things considered, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Rather, what I see is not such a bad thing after all. In fact, while it is not a model-esque image, it is beautiful in its own way--because I realize in that moment that it is not an image that can be found anywhere else in the entire world. It is mine alone, and that is a thought to be treasured.
We had a presentation in my social problems class this morning about eating disorders, and the group revealed that girls as young as six years old in society today are struggling with anorexia and bulimia. Six years old. Most girls start considering their physical image between ages 9 and 11. It starts young, friends. Too young. No six year old girl should have to spend time feeling so insecure about her image that she destroys her own body. No girl PERIOD should have to.
Every girl remembers the days of Barbie. She was the young girl's standard of perfection. Consider this, though. An interesting study was done about what Barbie's real life proportions would be, and they are terribly unrealistic. Real life Barbie would be six feet tall, weigh 100 pounds, and wear a size four. She would have a 39 inch bust size (think 39 FF bra size), a 19 inch waist, and 33 inch hips. Basically, she would lack the ability to walk from being so top heavy, and she'd probably require numerous back surgeries.
God made each of us different and beautiful in our own way, and I think it's time the world stopped selling beauty in one-size-fits-all package. We weren't all made to be models. Our bodies are temples, and God desires us to show them respect, no matter how they look to us.
Ladies, don't let anyone tell you that you aren't beautiful, because you have a heavenly Father who would soundly disagree.
1 Samuel 16:7--"...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
In love,
Liz
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