Project 31, day 1!
There are many different things I call "beautiful": scenery, acts of kindness, physically attractive people, godly people, a rabbit with good type (remember folks, I own a rabbit business here, so it makes sense...kinda? ;), a pretty vase or painting, getting my schoolwork done quickly, etc.
So my first Project 31 assignment made me think. What is beauty, really? Somehow rabbit-beauty and godliness-beauty just don't seem related.
In hopes of nailing down the definition of beauty, I decided to carry around a notebook for a couple days and jot down every truly beautiful thing I saw. So here's a list of the things I deemed beautiful today and yesterday:
-My morning quiet time with God. Nothing but Him and me. Stillness, for once! I am most aware of His beauty then.
-My mom getting up at 6 AM to joyfully prepare a healthy breakfast for my dad and me. That's servanthood...a mirror of the Biblical example of a godly woman.
-My friend's singing. Oooh, it is gorgeous. She has this solo she sings every week in choir, but it still gives me chills after all the times I've heard it.
-A friend who just listens. Sometimes it seems everyone in our culture talks and talks. So when someone takes the time to just stop and listen, I find that truly beautiful! This specific friend has been such a huge blessing to me.
-Boys who act like gentlemen. I love it when guys open doors for ladies and treat them respectfully. Chivalry is an art that seems lost in our generation, so I really do appreciate when a guy makes an effort to treat me and other girls considerately.
-A girl I know who joyfully gives up two nights a week to serve a disabled boy from our church. I want that kind of generosity!
-A new snowfall. Gorgeous!
-A girl from choir who is always smiling and upbeat. Whenever I see her, she pays me some kind of compliment and always brightens my day. She is always looking around to see who she can encourage. I long for that Christ-like inner beauty.
At first glance, early breakfasts, beautiful singing, and snowfalls may not seem to have much in common, but actually, I think there's a clear connection between everything on my list: each thing is a reflection of God's glorious nature. Servanthood was the focus of Jesus' life. Snow and singing are pictures of His incredible creations, gifts to His children. Others-centeredness and joyfullness are His qualities, and people who emulate them so beautifully are filled with His Spirit.
Something is beautiful to me when it reminds me of my Savior. Oh, that I may decrease, so His beauty can fill my life more fully!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Project 31
So I've decided to try something new on my blog. This lovely lady Mandy over on her blog, She Breathes Deeply, has started a super-cool project to celebrate Biblical beauty-- the kind exemplified by the Proverbs 31 woman. Here's how it works: for 31 days, I'll be posting something about true beauty. This is the list Mandy proposes:
Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!
I'm really excited about this! I won't be posting every day, but over the next couple months, I'll try to cover all 31 days. Readers, I'd love to have you follow along on this little journey. And bloggers, why not join in on the project? :)
Day 1. What does beauty mean to you?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. Who is someone you know who inspires beauty?
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Jaded beauty. Has the world's definition of beauty ever jaded you?
Day 7. Write a blog to encourage another beautiful woman.
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What is Jesus teaching you as a wife, mom, or friend? (Or just woman in general?)
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. Write to encourage a friend. Inspire her beauty.
Day 16. Write a letter to your daughter, or a young girl in your life. Tell her what beauty means.
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. Describe your personality.
Day 19. Write about your favorite comfort food (we are women- we ALL have comfort food!)
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write a letter to your husband to encourage him (or if you are single- your future husband.)
Day 22. What are some needs that need to be met in your community? Blog about how to extend your hand to those who need you.
Day 23. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
Day 24. What is Jesus teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Write a blog to encourage someone and build their confidence!
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Write about "a day in the life of me." (Pics are great!)
Day 30. Who is your role model as a woman?
Day 31. Write about your dreams and goals as a beautiful woman!
I'm really excited about this! I won't be posting every day, but over the next couple months, I'll try to cover all 31 days. Readers, I'd love to have you follow along on this little journey. And bloggers, why not join in on the project? :)
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