Beauty

One of my favorite bloggers, Ashley from The Shine Project, has issued a challenge. The challenge is to define what beauty means to you. Here's my answer:

Ok, so I have spent 10 minutes watching this screen trying to come up with something...it's so hard to put into words what I think of beauty! Everything I think of to type sounds so cliche!

The bottom line though, and the first thought that comes to my head is that beauty is anything that reflects a little bit of God here on earth. God is beautiful, and He created the world to reflect himself. He created us to reflect himself as well.

So, when I think about it, everything that we do the way God intended for us to do it is beautiful.

From conception

To the way God carefully forms each child in our bodies

To seeing my child for the very first time

and being able to nurture my child. The simple fact that I have been able to grow an 18 pound 4 month old using nothing but my very own body....THAT is beautiful to me.

Watching my children learn new things and grow is beautiful. As is seeing them smile and hearing them laugh.

Watching my husband interact...play...teach...and gently correct our daughters. That is beautiful to me...seeing how gentle and loving he is with them.

And when we go outside...there's so much beauty all around. In the Bible, God says that if we refuse to praise him, the rocks and the trees will cry out...I think of that whenever I dwell on the beauty of the nature around us.

Seeing the kindness of others is beautiful. Experiencing it is beautiful too. Whenever I see someone being kind, gentle, humble, and patient...my heart is filled with joy. I have been fortunate enough to experience the kindness of some amazing friends in my life, and I am thankful beyond words for them.

When I see someone truly respecting themselves, I find it beautiful and admirable...when I see them refusing to take a "victim" stance, but to take responsibility and make positive choices in their life despite an adversity, I find that very beautiful.

When I see a husband, whether he be married for 5 years or 50 years, being faithful, full of integrity, and affectionate towards his wife, that is beautiful to me.

When I see a wife speak highly of her husband, or show him affection in front of others, I find that beautiful

When I see someone trusting God with their whole heart, no matter what the circumstance...even when people thing they are crazy for having faith, I find that beautiful.