Do You Think I’m Beautiful – Week 6

book study, Books and Development, Christian, Do You Think I'm Beautiful, Faith, friends, mel's world, melissa mashburn, Women's Ministry
I can hardly believe that we are already at the end of this study. It has been such an eye opening, heart wrenching, and sometimes difficult (in a good way, for cleansing) journey. The truth is that now that we are on this side of it we are stronger and more confident that “The king is enthralled by your beauty.” ~Psalm 45:11
As we wrap up the study I would like to ask you to take a walk with me down memory lane…to the beginning, when we started this six weeks ago. Do you remember when I asked you a few questions about feeling beautiful?

Let’s re-visit those questions right now;
1) share a time when you felt beautiful.
2) now share a time when you did not feel beautiful.

* Every woman has both kinds of time. For most of us we feel beautiful when we feel loved. *

Psalm 45:11 (New International Version)
11 The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.

Do you remember the movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding“? The main character was named Toula, she never felt “beautiful”. Part of her change/transformation into feeling more beautiful was because she added purpose and meaning in her life by growing through education and career.

Watch this clip if you haven’t seen the movie (**warning** there are a few not nice words in there, but I think you’ll get the point when you watch it – fyi – it’s 9 minutes long)

Isaiah 52:7 (New International Version)
7 How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

* Even women who truly see themselves as beautiful have a difficult time seeing their feet as beautiful. Yet feet with purpose of taking the good news to those who need to hear are truly beautiful because they are on mission to serve the King.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (New International Version)
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
Now watch what happens to Toula when she starts to take care of herself through education, purpose, career, passion…her life begins to be more beautiful just like her.

Isaiah 62:5b (New International Version)
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,

so will your God rejoice over you.

Friends, I have so enjoyed this journey with you and I hope and pray that you have begun to uncover the depth of the love that God has for you, the beauty that is within you.

You ARE beautiful my friends…believe it, receive it!

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4 Comments

  1. Great correlation! Toula’s transformation in the movie really illustrates how inner confidence can only enhance outer beauty, and how a strong faith can change the way people carry themselves; making them more appealing to not only others, but themselves as well.
    Women and men alike can only serve to empower themselves by finding inner strength and peace. Believe in God, and in HIS belief in YOU, and you SHALL succeed! Awesome blog, from one ‘Mel” to another;-)

  2. New here…sent by Kristen at We are THAT Family, via twitter.

    First, before I even read anything your scored HUGE points with me from my favorite movie. Because I am a GREEK girl. 🙂

    And secondly, for this wonderfully written post. Thank you and I WILL be back.

  3. Just_mel,

    It is ALWAYS great to meet another Mel! I am so glad you came by to visit and enjoyed this analogy on beauty emerging like in the movie!

    Tammy,

    It’s SO nice to meet you! I’m glad you enjoyed the movie clips with the study…they were a great tie in, weren’t they? I hope to see you back here soon!

    xoxo,
    Melissa

  4. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the middle of that second clip – where the man “solves the problem.” LOVE it. Men are so easy sometimes.

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