What is true beauty?

I had an interesting conversation with a wonderful friend. She is one of my bestest friends, and I think she is beautiful. The more I know about her, and how she handles the tough stuff in her life, the more beauty I see. This friend has two daughters whom I adore. Remember that I only have one daughter? This daughter of mine is so much different to raise than all.our.boys! Our conversation led us to a "tween" topic. A parenting book on tween girls recommended (advised?) that tween girls need to go shopping. Mom's like me, whom don't care for shopping, should learn to like it. Shopping makes tween girls feel pretty.

Now this is where it gets touchy.

If you like to shop, so be it. If you like to shop... a lot... that is your business, your thing, your money. If you like the hip cool newest fads, for yourself, or your daughters... there is nothing wrong with that. My friend is very wise and clever with her money, and they dress very stylish, and carry it with class.

It just isn't MY thing.

I like nice. I like practical. I really enjoy an outfit w/ fun accessories that match. I even think dresses would be fun if I wasn't so round. =)

My hard question is...
Does our apparel make our beauty?
Does our size define our beauty?
Does our hairstyle/make-up/nails create our beauty?

What makes you feel beautiful?

I spent many years with an eating disorder. The more perfect I strived to be, the uglier I felt. My younger years were full of fun hip clothes, fabulous hair, a small size, and a big flirty smile... yep, them were the days...
The days of shallowness, emptiness, being at a loss.

The more I played around with my image, the less I knew who I really was. I was searching for an outer validation to an inner void.

I still don't feel pretty, but a few things (despite my appearances) makes me feel beautiful...

like....
*when my littles love snuggling up to me & find comfort in my extra padding.
*prayer walking~ a good brisk walk while praying, ahhh, fresh air & mental clarity.
*when I am just being me on an average day and dh stops abruptly to glance at me and says "do you know how beautiful you are?"
*reaching out & listening~ when the Holy Spirit leads you to talk to someone, and you do, and you find out they really needed someone to know they mattered.

So I tell my 9 yr old dear daughter that regardless of the clothes she wears, and the fashion she likes, and the girly things we will do together... she is and always will be beautiful. There are always things about us that are not good enough in the world's opinion, and I share the importance of letting God's love define who we are...

BEAUTY IS
AS
BEAUTY DOES...

inner beauty reflects
what we do
and who we are,
right where we are!

Friends, you are beautiful!

MALLS!

strip malls, shopping malls, super malls...

...a consumer necessity of worldly purchasing. Ouch! Did I say that? I like to shop, I like nice things, I like finding what I am looking for... I do not like malls. There, I said it.

I avoid malls for a few reasons:

1) too many people. I find them busy, chaotic, & crowded (in general)
2) too materialistic. I find them to have the influence to crave unnecesary items.
3) too spendy. I find it a waste of quality time as a cost to our family.
4) too influential. I find the latest need to "party like a rockstar" to have an ill impression as it hits even the youngest of our communities.

Time, Talent, & Treasures~
a motto we try to instill in our children by holding ourselves accountable for what we do with our time, our talents, & our treasures.

The children know how hard their dad works everyday; all in the selfless glory of providing for our family. It is my job to spend the money earned in a wise manner. Admittedly, I am not always successful at this. Yet, I do know that staying away from malls helps us avoid the "I wants" of frivolous spending. Now, if I could only withstand the challenge of fasting fast food, we could save a whole lot more money! Please feel free to share what you do to make a positive difference in your budget.