My friend, how do you perceive yourself today?
Do you feel like a precious, cherished daughter of the King of Kings?
Do you feel like you matter?
Do you feel beautiful?
Owning our identity as Christian women goes much, much deeper than the clothes we wear or the way we style our hair.
But here’s the truth:
—> How we choose to carry ourselves every day reflects what we believe about ourselves.
Have you ever read the quote,
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have?
Well, I believe there’s truth to that!
We could tweak that quote a little and say it like this,
Live like the woman you want to become, not like a woman who’s stuck in the mundane.
Yes, you may be a homemaker or a pastor’s wife, full-time mom or a woman in the work place.
But you’re also a daughter of God, and you are unique, chosen, and beautiful.
If you really believe that, you’ll live like that.
—> Live like the woman you want to become.
Remember that God wants to fill you up so He can pour you out.
This post is very much about that “filling up,” so that we can pour into others.
Living well- and living beautiful– is an important part of being a “full” hearted woman that others can draw from.
And do you know who is responsible for you “living well?”
That’s right- you are!
Do you want to live a beautiful life?
Then do it, starting today.
There are a few simple things I do every day to “live beautiful.”
These small details remind me that I am cherished and valuable, and, yes, I am a beautiful daughter of God.
We all have unique personalities and tastes, so your “things” may be different from mine.
The important part is that we are living well, and living beautiful.
(I’d love to hear how you “live beautiful,” so drop me a comment at the end of this post!)
Here are four things I do every day that make me feel beautiful-
1. I Wear Perfume
When I was a little girl, I had a favorite aunt who spent a lot of time in our home.
She was single and pretty, and she always, always smelled nice!
My aunt’s beautiful mannerisms made an impression on me, and when I was about four years old I decided that pretty girls wear perfume.
And the mantra just sort of stuck.
For me, smelling pretty has always been a part of feeling pretty.
And, yes, it’s true: I wear perfume every single day of the week.
On days when I’m serving at church, out shopping or running errands, and the days when I’m at home all day with my kids.
I spritz on a few squirts of my favorite perfume, and then face the day with a little extra confidence.
There doesn’t have to be a special occasion for it.
Life is the special occasion.
It’s a very small way of celebrating the beauty of womanhood, even on the not-so-important days.
And for me, it’s very meaningful.
2. I Listen to Music
You may be asking,
How can listening to music make you feel beautiful?
For me, it’s all about feeding my soul with something inspiring and beautiful.
Sometimes we women don’t feel beautiful because we’re waiting for something “beautiful” to “happen” in our lives.
Why not make something beautiful happen in your life, every day?
Listening to excellent music is such a simple but profound way to invite beauty into your home and heart.
During my growing up years, music was a big part of my life.
My mom has taught piano lessons on a part time basis ever since I was a little girl, and my sister has pursued music both vocationally, and in ministry.
Although I am not the passionate musician that my mom and sister are, I do love to listen to beautiful, inspiring music.
Music has shaped the way I think, and even the way I process life.
A few times a year, Jeremy and I take time for a special night on the town and attend a symphony or play at Bass Hall in Fort Worth.
As much as I love the culture of those experiences, dressing up for a formal music performance isn’t practical for my every day life.
But I can still feed my soul the culture and beauty of good, wholesome music, right in my kitchen or living room!
Listening to classical melodies, or beautiful worshipful music on my Pandora app, feeds my soul and uplifts my spirit.
I realize that everyone didn’t grow up listening to music, or learn how to sing or play an instrument- and that’s okay!
But I truly believe this: God designed us to crave beauty, and to long for the good and the excellent.
Even if you don’t feel musically inclined, begin to cultivate the beauty of music in your life by feeding your heart- and your ears– a steady diet of wholesome, beautiful music.
I think you’ll discover that excellent music can enrich your life with a deep sense of beauty and culture.
3. I Try to Dress Well for the Day
Some days I dress up, and some days I dress down.
For me, dressing well “for the day” simply means that I dress intentionally.
Intentionally modest.
Intentionally feminine.
Intentionally classy.
Even a ball-cap-and-tee-shirt kind of day can be lived with beauty and intention.
I’ve devoted two entire blog posts to this topic.
You can check them out below:
How to Build a Modest Wardrobe That You’ll Love
My goal is to be able to throw together a simple but put-together outfit, even on the busiest and most mundane day of the week.
4. I Beautify My Home in Small Ways
My home is my “kingdom.”
It just makes sense that when my home is beautiful, the people in it feel valued and beautiful.
Including me.
By “beautiful,” I certainly don’t mean “perfect.”
My home is really never perfect.
But I do try to cultivate orderliness and beauty.
Here are a few simple ways that I can bring beauty to my home, any day of the week:
- Light a candle.
- Place a vase of fresh flowers on the table.
- Diffuse a favorite essential oil in a room.
- Open a window to let in fresh air or sunlight (depending on the time of year).
- Hang a seasonal wreath on the front door, or even on a door inside the house.
- Throw a pretty pillow on a chair, or drape a comfortable lap blanket over the couch.
- Stack a few interesting pictures books near a well-loved chair.
- Serve a simple meal or snack on a pretty platter.
- Pull out festive napkins for an every day snack, just for fun.
- Enjoy a cup of tea- or even water!- in a pretty mug.
“Living beautiful” at home is simply stating- in every day rhythms– that everyone here is worth a little effort.
And I am a part of that inclusion.
I beautify my home for my family, and I do it for myself too.
We are all worth a little effort.
What about you?
Do you feel like you’re “living beautiful?”
We could add so many other “things” to this list:
- wearing a cute pair of shoes
- finding a simple hair style that compliments your face
- eating well
- meeting a friend for a cup of coffee at a favorite cafe
- working out, or going for a daily run
- reading a good book
What makes you feel like the beautiful woman God created you to be?
What would you add to this list?
Here’s to living well, and “living beautiful-”
xoxo,
Kristy
Would you like more inspiring posts like this one?
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