Comments on: beholding beauty

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:53:22 +0000

Alece,

Thank you for getting transparent about beauty. I know what you mean. When the man you’ve poured yourself out for and given yourself to tells you that he never thought you were beautiful (among other things) those kind of words destroy a woman’s soul.

It’s been a tough 3 years of God restoring me. This area of beauty has been especially hard. Because underneath is the thought that if I really am so beautiful (like everyone kept telling me I am) then he wouldn’t have done that, he wouldn’t have left. And he did.

The feeling like what I have and am is not enough is one of the most painful things a woman could feel. But God is simply amazing! He has coaxed me along the path of trust and healed so much devastation. I can look in the mirror and see a beautiful woman. I’m no longer hiding, even from myself. I can look in my own eyes and see His beauty looking out at me. Only Jesus can do this! He has done it for me. He will do it for you.

It takes courage. But you’re a brave woman. And God will not let you give up on your own beauty. :)

Praying you will let Him show you what He sees when He looks at you.

By: alece

alece — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:54:33 +0000

thank you for continuing to share your own story and journey so transparently here, faith. i love you.

By: The Velvet Trunk

The Velvet Trunk — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:05:48 +0000

The boy is right. Has good taste, obviously. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Hugs,
Mel

By: Bethany Smith

Bethany Smith — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:49:42 +0000

ALLRIGHTYTHEN! But for serious. The man does not lie.

By: matt peirce

matt peirce — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:26:07 +0000

hey alece read the entry on other site.

this is perhaps a bit awkward but being an ocean/continent away perhaps lessens it.

Your hot. Straight up. Stunning.

And don’t let anyone, thing, experience say different.

By: Julie Todd

Julie Todd — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 15:46:19 +0000

TOTALLY agree with what Faith said. He tells you he never loved you because he himself is deceived. When you are in that web of deceit the truth is you can’t know or see reality.

By: Julie Todd

Julie Todd — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:31:55 +0000

Alece, I don’t usually do this, but I wrote a post today that I thought might speak to you where you are. Your name kept coming to mind as I was writing.

If you are interested in reading it, go here: http://jewelsightings.blogspot.com/2010/03/mosaic-in-making.html

By: Terri Poss

Terri Poss — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:51:33 +0000

Til about a hundred years ago, when clothes became widely available by retail, girls were most concerned about their inner beauty and character. After that girls became more obsessed with fitting a standard size of “normal”. In some way, the didn’t measure up. Some body part/dress part was too big/too small, so things didn’t fit right, as opposed to the fit of a home-styled, personally fitted dress made by their mothers. Now there was a norm to adhere to. Major focus shift. (See Liz Courtney’s book, “5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter) I’m so tired of body image issues. My daughters don’t seem to have much of an issue, and that makes me very grateful since I’ve been very intentional in that area. Can’t say the same for myself, but I just keep it to myself.

A song I used to sing a long time ago (wish I could live in this reality more, a lot more)

If I could look through Your eyes
I’d see there’s no way to impress you and I wouldn’t even try.
I’d stop trying to prove I’m worthy and I’d take off the disguise
If I could look through Your eyes

If I saw my value to You
I’d see Your love for me remains despite the foolish things I do
And I’d see Your love for what it is – unshakable and true
If I saw my value to You

I want to see what You see
I want to recognize the treasured prize You say you see in me
I want to give up trying to earn Your love, You’re offering for free
I want to see what you see.

And I would see that I’m precious
And I would know that I am prized
I’d know Your love never changes
If I could look through Your eyes
Lord, help me look through Your eyes
(-Greg Ferguson)

Not really about beauty per se, but I’m not real sure He cares a whole lot about what we would call beauty.

By: MissionChik

MissionChik — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:21:21 +0000

Alece, I don’t know if I ever shared, but God has used your story to touch my life as well. The day I read about the situation you are going through, I prayed so hard for you both and for Thrive. And then I completely broke down that night while sorting laundry. I thought I was crazy, I wondered why I was grieving SO hard for a woman whom I’d never met. Finally, after much sobbing and questioning, God revealed to me the unresolved emotion and pain in my own heart…for my marriage that ended a decade ago. My husband walked out on me. He just slammed the door as I begged him…on my knees…not to leave me for the other woman. (I was sixteen when we married, twenty when he left me.) I thought it would last our lifetime. Although the experience was devastating, I’d never fully dealt with it or been healed…and I didn’t even realize it. Thank you for your courage and honesty. I thank God for using your life to help others!

And Alece, you’re vulnerability makes you even more beautiful. As much strength as it took for you to build your life and ministry…it takes that much more to move forward in the future God has for you, trusting Him completely to hold you when everything else crumbles. You are an amazing woman and an inspiration to me. I love you, from afar! And I am excited to see how God is blessing your future because of your obedience and perseverance!

By: nikkie

nikkie — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:29:23 +0000

girl, you rocked it.

okay, HE rocked it.

anyway, it rocked. you, too have a wonderful way with words. He is being glorified through your story. your struggles and pain. thanks for your honesty.