Welcome to She Exudes Beauty.
If you have stumbled across this blog, it is most likely that deep down in your heart there is a yearning to discover the beauty that is within you. I don’t profess to be an expert in this. But I, like most of you, grew up never truly feeling like I was beautiful. Not only did I believe there was no beauty in me, but I believed that I was unworthy. Unworthy of being loved, unworthy of being desired by anyone, unworthy of being pursued and unworthy of being fought for. Like you, I too grew up feeling less than perfect. I hated my looks and I hated being me.
When I think about it now, I am amazed to see, how the thought of not feeling beautiful had a profound affect on so many aspects of my life. It affected my ability to be a good wife, a good mom to my 3 amazing kids, a good daughter, sister, friend etc. For years, I prayed to God to please fix me because in my opinion I am flawed. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t like everyone else. I held positions of leadership within my local church and secular job. But I was always criticized for my lack of greeting people, for my lack of calling / pursuing church members who were missing out on services or who were sick. For not being more social and interactive. I preferred and still prefer solitude over social gatherings. People criticized me because they couldn’t understand how I could be good at speaking to large congregations, teaching class, and leading powerful worship services. But at the same time I was and still am socially awkward. Especially when it comes to the one on one small talk with people. Guys, I cringe every time the Pastor tells the congregation go and greet three or more people! I know the awkward hugs are coming and I literally want to run for the hills! Rather than acknowledging my personality traits, I couldnt fathom the idea of being an introvert in ministry. To me only extroverts held positions in the church. And so I believed myself to be more of an extrovert. Boy was I wrong. I believed I had a problem and God had to fix me because I was flawed. Never realizing that the only thing flawed was my way of thinking which lead me to believe that I was damaged goods in desperate need of repair.
My hope and prayer is, that thru this blog women from all over would be encouraged to go on a soul searching journey with Jesus Christ. A journey of self discovery. A journey that leads you straight into the arms of your heavenly Bridegroom. A journey that heals your inner most being and unleashes the beauty that is within you. Because I believe that emotionally healthy mommy's breeds emotionally healthy daughters. I believe that a healthy woman on the inside exudes beauty and blesses everything she touches and everyone she comes in contact with.
Today, Jesus tells you “You are all together beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you.“ (Song of Solomon 4:7) Today your heavenly Bridegroom gently reminds you that He made all the delicate inner parts of your body. That He knit you together when you were in your mothers womb. That you are wonderfully complex and you’re his unique workmanship. Jesus longs for your to know and believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You see, we many not think or feel beautiful (a lie that has been fed to us by the devil). But the truth is, that you are Jesus’ workmanship. His wonderful masterpiece. Uniquely made. There is and will ever be only ONE of you which makes you extremely rare and precious. And even greater still is the fact that you are created in the very image of God.
I look forward to what the Lord will be imparting in each of your and am exited to hear about all He is doing.
May the grace and peace of our Lord be with you.
If you have stumbled across this blog, it is most likely that deep down in your heart there is a yearning to discover the beauty that is within you. I don’t profess to be an expert in this. But I, like most of you, grew up never truly feeling like I was beautiful. Not only did I believe there was no beauty in me, but I believed that I was unworthy. Unworthy of being loved, unworthy of being desired by anyone, unworthy of being pursued and unworthy of being fought for. Like you, I too grew up feeling less than perfect. I hated my looks and I hated being me.
When I think about it now, I am amazed to see, how the thought of not feeling beautiful had a profound affect on so many aspects of my life. It affected my ability to be a good wife, a good mom to my 3 amazing kids, a good daughter, sister, friend etc. For years, I prayed to God to please fix me because in my opinion I am flawed. I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t like everyone else. I held positions of leadership within my local church and secular job. But I was always criticized for my lack of greeting people, for my lack of calling / pursuing church members who were missing out on services or who were sick. For not being more social and interactive. I preferred and still prefer solitude over social gatherings. People criticized me because they couldn’t understand how I could be good at speaking to large congregations, teaching class, and leading powerful worship services. But at the same time I was and still am socially awkward. Especially when it comes to the one on one small talk with people. Guys, I cringe every time the Pastor tells the congregation go and greet three or more people! I know the awkward hugs are coming and I literally want to run for the hills! Rather than acknowledging my personality traits, I couldnt fathom the idea of being an introvert in ministry. To me only extroverts held positions in the church. And so I believed myself to be more of an extrovert. Boy was I wrong. I believed I had a problem and God had to fix me because I was flawed. Never realizing that the only thing flawed was my way of thinking which lead me to believe that I was damaged goods in desperate need of repair.
My hope and prayer is, that thru this blog women from all over would be encouraged to go on a soul searching journey with Jesus Christ. A journey of self discovery. A journey that leads you straight into the arms of your heavenly Bridegroom. A journey that heals your inner most being and unleashes the beauty that is within you. Because I believe that emotionally healthy mommy's breeds emotionally healthy daughters. I believe that a healthy woman on the inside exudes beauty and blesses everything she touches and everyone she comes in contact with.
Today, Jesus tells you “You are all together beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you.“ (Song of Solomon 4:7) Today your heavenly Bridegroom gently reminds you that He made all the delicate inner parts of your body. That He knit you together when you were in your mothers womb. That you are wonderfully complex and you’re his unique workmanship. Jesus longs for your to know and believe that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You see, we many not think or feel beautiful (a lie that has been fed to us by the devil). But the truth is, that you are Jesus’ workmanship. His wonderful masterpiece. Uniquely made. There is and will ever be only ONE of you which makes you extremely rare and precious. And even greater still is the fact that you are created in the very image of God.
I look forward to what the Lord will be imparting in each of your and am exited to hear about all He is doing.
May the grace and peace of our Lord be with you.
This is a great way to connect with others as an introvert. I’m glad you are starting this blog to share your knowledge, what you’ve learned from your experiences and I’m sure this will be more than encouraging for other women. Can’t wait for the next blog post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the support Judy!! GBU
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ReplyDeleteThank you for being so vulnerable and transparent. I know it doesn’t always come naturally from us as women to divulge our insecurities. I commend you, Naida. <3 I hope to learn a little more about you through these blogs
ReplyDeleteThank you Jasmine.
DeleteI can relate to so much of this. Keep it coming, looking forward to reading more. ❤️
ReplyDeleteJocelyn the Lord is showing me that for the most part, the struggle we as women face is the same. I am super excited about this blog and sharing with all you beautiful ladies.
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