The Beauty of a Woman

My aim through portrait photography is to show women how truly BEAUTIFUL they are. Whether your are in your twenties or sixties, any age or size you are created to thrive in your loveliness. But how can we define beauty? Mr. Webster says:

beau·ty

  [byoo-tee] –noun, plural -ties.

1.

the quality present in a thing or person

that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind,

whether arisingfrom sensory manifestations

(as shape, color, sound, etc.),a meaningful design or pattern,

or something else (as apersonality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).

Is it the senses alone that are delighted by such a wonder as Beauty?

I have to agree with the author of 'The Beauty of a Woman' when I think of

what truly defines the desire to posess Beauty and be our lovely, loving,

grace-filled best - this will certainly take a lifetime to achieve!

The Beauty Of A Woman

The beauty of a woman

isn't in the clothes she wears,

The figure that she carries,

or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman

must be seen from in her eyes;

Because that's the doorway to her heart,

the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman

isn't in a facial mole;

But true beauty in a woman,

is reflected by her soul.

It's the caring that she cares to give,

the passion that she shows;

And the beauty of a woman

with passing years only grows.

Authorship is variously attributed to the following authors:

Maya Angelou, Ralph Fenger, Audrey Hepburn & Sam Levenson

Here is an attempt at capturing a little sense of that beautiful feeling during a recent Pin-Up Party with my sisters. Looking at this photograph I recall how delighted I was to spend the afternoon photographing my lovely sisters, all in their 40s and 50s. What a thrill to laugh and take joy in one another - what a gift to feel beautiful with my wonderful sisters!! (I will post their photos soon!)

Enthralled with Your Beauty

"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord." Psalm 45:11

It's Friday - THANK GOD! I can barley believe I made it through the week, and wonder if I look as bad as I feel? To be honest, what I am truly feeling is grateful that I have had a week filled with high times: a wonderful bridal session with Kalen (who is getting married tomorrow!), teaching children in various classes, meeting with women friends to encourage their livelihood, and coaching my courageous friend Julie in the birth of her daughter Eliza. I am exhausted but wouldn't change a thing!

Thankfully I can rely on the fact that no matter how tired I may be, both my husband and the Lord are "enthralled with my beauty!" No matter your weight, marital status, hair color or skin color, know that you can define yourself through God's eyes. If you are looking for some words of encouragement today as you muster energy to do you work, complete homework or raise your children, read this wonderfully encouraging note that Shari Braedel had written for Proverbs 31 Ministries in September:

One word. Flabbergasted.

That was the emotion I had coursing through my body as I sat at the coffee shop discussing my weight issues with a friend.

I told her I had recently cut out certain foods from my diet, but was continuing to maintain my "happy weight," that number the scale just seems extremely happy to faithfully report whether I have eaten healthy and exercised that week or not. We had a good laugh as she described how sometimes she locks her scale away so she's not tempted to jump on it every day just to find out if she's still her same "happy" self.

As a result of this conversation I realized that if I am not careful I can easily allow the scale, or the mirror, to become a compass that shifts my focus and points me in the wrong direction. It seems illogical, yet at times I look to this digital device, or this earthly reflection to gauge my emotional status and essentially define me.

The Bible tells us that the God of the universe is enthralled with our beauty. Seriously? Yes, indeed! He thinks we are amazing and wonderful. Unfortunately, more often than not, we look in the mirror and only see our flaws; hair that's just a mite too frizzy; a tummy that's a bit too fluffy; and thighs that have a few too many dimples on them. My friend Renee likes to call her cellulite "the fingerprints of God." One time I shared that with a group of women, and one of them said, "Well then He must have REALLY big hands!"

So, what would life look like if we accepted God workmanship? Can you imagine how different we would feel about ourselves if we glanced in the mirror and told God "thank You for making me so wonderfully"? If you listen closely, I bet you would hear Him respond, "All beautiful, you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you" (Song of Solomon 4:7, NIV).

No matter your size or shape, the number on your clothes tag or your scale, you are beautiful! Let's embrace that we are fine just the way we are because if God says so, then it's true!

Dear God, thank You for making me the way I am. Please help me to have more confidence. I will practice defining myself through Your eyes and not my own. I am grateful, and humbled to be Your beautiful daughter, and I can feel Your approving gaze upon me. In Jesus' name, Amen.