Tuesday, January 29, 2008

In Other Words Tuesday



“But remember, for all your adult life you’ll be a woman. And how you live your life as a woman, all by yourself before God, is what makes the real you. Nothing on the exterior can touch, or change that precious inner sanctuary—your heart, his dwelling place—unless you let it. And God, who loves you very much, has tailor made all your outer life—your circumstances, your relationships—to pressure you into becoming that beautiful woman he’s planned for you to be.” ~ Anne Ortlund ~ This quote really touches me, and it is so true. People are so quick to judge one another based on what they see on the outside. I have been judged on my looks my entire life. Things such as weight, hair, teeth, clothes, etc. Why do those things seem to matter so much? They are not important in the big picture of life. Oh, and by the way, I wonder if people ever stop to think, that when they make fun of someone, they are actually making fun of God, since we are all created in His image. I know that all the things I have been through in my life have prepared me to be a better, and stronger woman of God. He has shown me that I am capable of handling more than I thought I could, and He has given me the strength needed to endure many storms. I praise God for making my heart His home, together we can get through this life, and the arrows that may be thrown at our home, He will gently, and lovingly remove them, and restore my heart once again. I love you my dear Father, thank You for touching my life with Your beauty.

17 comments:

Lisa said...

Denise, thanks for sharing your heart so openly with us. The pain of being judged for our appearance hurts desperately. I have been in your shoes, and the sting of it still is with me since childhood. But, as you said, God is with us through it all and when He is in our heart there is reason to praise the Lord. Glad we can do that together!

Love in Christ,
Elisa

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Denise,
Oh my friend, "THANK YOU" for sharing this post with us. I really loved it. I, too, have been made fun of all of my life with my weight, eye, and other things. It used to really hurt me when I was a child, but since I am grown, it doesn't bother me as bad now. I do know that GOD loves me for who I am because HE created me in HIS own image. You know, we are not to judge people. The only person who is to judge, is GOD. My DH loved me from the inside when we first met and still does. He says that is what makes me beautiful on the outside is from the beauty I have on the inside. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love you and Hugs,
Karen H.

Karen said...

It's it awesome what God can make beautiful if we would only allow him to work. His strength where I was weak was one of the biggest things He used on me. Thanks.

lori said...

Beauty from the inside...
that is what we all need to strive for~
you are beautiful~~
lori

Anonymous said...

I love your mention of the arrows and how God removes them! So true!

re: I bite my lip when I'm nervous too!

ellen b. said...

Denise,
May He continue to strengthen you and may you rest in the love He has for you and the beauty He has created in you! Blessings...

Heather said...

No matter what anyone has ever said, you are a truly beautiful woman of God. And when we criticize ourselves, we are pointing a finger at God our Creator too. Might make us think about how we view ourselves.

twinklemom said...

How adorable!! I love your layout...there is always something new when I drop by and it's such joy!

We have a wonderful love who is capable of doing what men can't do...unfortunately when caught in the grips of sin, people don't realize how dangerous a weapon their tongue is compared to the sharp edge of a sword.

Sharon Brumfield said...

Yes!!!! and Amen!
We are not our outsides. Not what we look like or what we do. Those are just labels that can change at any moment. The spirit girl on the inside will live forever!
So don't get used to seeing us like this or knowing me like this--because only He knows who I will eventually be. But--you and I both know it will be perfection!
You are beautiful girl. I don't care how many warts you have ;)---YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! You Daddy says so and I think I will believe the owner of the universe.
Good words of wisdom!!!!
Keep speaking the truth.

Susan said...

I praise God for making my heart His home...

Wow, this was really good. I'm sorry you've had a hard time by other's opinions. So sad, for THEM.

I love the song you have playing!

Blessings to you.

Irene said...

Great post. You are beautiful, dear friend. God knows it, your dear husband knows it. The beauty and joy of Christ our God shines upon your face and mirrors your beautiful soul. Thank you for shring it with us.

Talk..to..Grams said...

This is such a good post! I am so glad God looks at our heart and not our looks!! You are indeed a beautiful woman of God!! Love and hugs Grams

Brandy said...

Thank you so much for my birthday wish!!! I am going to add you to my bloggy friends, and if you dont mind, I would like to share the quote in this post with my sister who is ten. It just reminds me so much of her. Please let me know if it is ok because I want your permission before I used it.

Bernadine said...

Thank you for this post.
Love and hugs

Anonymous said...

beautifully said. thank you

Denise said...

Oh that the world would learn that our hearts is where the beauty lies..... and your heart is a Miss America..............

My grandmother used to say..

Pretty is as Pretty does...... Oh how pretty you are.........

hugs0x0x0x0

eph2810 said...

What a powerful post, Denise. It is so true - men (women) look at the outside, but I think I woman is truly beautiful if she fears God :)

Blessings to you and yours...