How I see Myself When I Look in the Mirror

In the past I've been anything but comfortable with the way I look. I've always had the gift of admiring other people's beauty and appreciating the way God made them... but whenever I gazed in the mirror or at a picture of myself it was quite the opposite. In my mind all my flaws would be magnified and I would flounder for one thought that recognized any true beauty there.


On top of that, I would read magazines as a teenager and see perfect teeth, legs, complexions and girls with not one hair out of place! My insecurity would begin to blaze inside of me and I knew that I certainly would never look like those models or achieve perfection. I thought about how happy those girls must be to have people's attention, have love from boys,and have the grace and confidence every girl wants. To carry themsleves with pride (dignity), or to have other girls be jealous of them. Other girls would look up to you and copy your hairstyle or they way you dressed. But most impotrtantly (I thought) people would really hear you when you have something important to say. Okay, I thought I could have everything if I achieved "the look."

Then I turned 20. As I became an adult and my body parts filled in where they needed to, I guess you could say I got more comfortable with myself. Through the Light of Life I discovered I was okay being me. Okay being me, even without the hair dye, make- up or excessive weight loss.

You see.... all those teen years I had given up on my outter appearance because I knew I would never measure up in the world's eyes or be a "beauty queen." (Man looks at the outward appearance but GOD looks at the heart.) So, I worked on my character and perfected my soul and the way I looked at and treated other people. Mostly, I strived to be more like Christ. That seemed easier to me than grasping at air to win the approval and praise of man... to be "seen" by them. That is how I started to feel good about myself. My inner beauty started to be noticed by a select few, but most importantly GOD saw! Now He (Jesus Christ) is what makes me beautiful. He's the light in my eyes and gives me a youthful complexion through the peace and hope He has placed in my life. He has given me balance and self- control which is my biggest "tummy tamer." In other words, He keeps me in shape. He gives me a glow when I smile that lets the whole world know I am His daughter.

He tells me that HE (the King of Kings) is entralled by my beauty. He made me and I am wonderfully made. Even though I may never make the cover of a "girlie" magazine... I KNOW my name is written in the Lambs book of Life. That is more than enough for me!!

God made you in His image, you are perfect just the way you were made. Beauty only lasts a short time... but true beauty is who you are on the inside. It's in your smile, your servant heart (when you lend a hand), or when you put someone else's needs before your own. Like a lucious red rose outter beauty fades and deteriorates but the grace of your mind, heart and actions go on and on.



By: Kristin McLeod

The Holy Bible By: Kristin McLeod

My form of empowerment is the Holy Bible. It gives me a clear perspective and take on life and is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. It encourages me and empowers me to live out the Christian life on a day to day basis. It exposes and convicts me of my shortcomings so with the Holy Spirit’s help I can sharpen and improve my character. Through reading the scriptures everyday it gives me the grace assurance and confidence of the Father’s love for me. With that love and genuine acceptance I can face anything this world throws at me. Even when people are unkind to me or try to bring me down, it says in the word of God in Romans 15:3, the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen upon me (Jesus). The Bible is the source to all the questions I have about life and is my source of wisdom. In proverbs,  which was written by King Solomon, who was the wisest man who ever lived, it gives me insight and enlightenment on everything that goes on under the sun. I read the Bible for enjoyment, strength, comfort, and even for healing from life’s storms. It renews my mind when my thoughts are clamored with negativity and judgmental thoughts and keeps me on the right path. It helps me to forgive and see people and treat them as I would like to be treated. It gives me a reason to sing and dance when I read the Psalms, helps me to praise God in every season of the soul, even when I don’t feel like it. It gives me hope and a reason to look forward to the future. Like the woman in Proverbs 31, you can look forward to the days to come. It helps me in the workplace to respect and honor those who are in authority over me and to everything with my best efforts and as unto the Lord. The Bible also says that if someone asks me to one mile go with them two. It teaches me to be diligent and not to eat the bread of idleness. It empowers me in my relationships, teaches me how to choose my friends wisely and says that to have friends one must first make himself friendly. The Bible assures me of what I am living for and gives me a sense of purpose and vision. It also gives me joy in how it’s teachings stretches me to look outside of myself and serve and lay down my life for others. It keeps me my foundation firm, steadfast, and unmovable in the face of temptation and sin. This keeps me free from a life of remorse and regret. Every time I read it is water and life to my soul and there is something new because it is a living word, sharp and active like a double edged sword (Hebrews 4: 12). It also helps me examine myself and keep myself humble, because pride goes before a fall. Reading and living the Bible gives me power, peace, and confidence in all I say and do.