Day Six

Well, tonight marks the end of day 6.

I am seeing more and more everyday that true beauty is found in the passionate love of a vulnerable, sacrificial heart.

     This journey began as a sacrifice, an act of obedience tinted with hopes of feeling more confident with my natural beauty. I thought that God wanted me to fast makeup so I would realize that I was beautiful without it.
Well,  It would be just like Christ to prove me very, very wrong.
Yes, it is true, I do feel more confident every day.
 But surprisingly, it has absolutely nothing to do with my face.
   
     I am starting to realize just how deep my roots of security were planted in my own outward beauty. A few weeks ago, I would wake up, do my hair and makeup,  look in the mirror and feel pretty.
I would leave the house confident in my outward appearance. I looked "good" and I knew it.
 I spent my mornings preparing my heart but probably spend an equal amount of time preparing my face.
I was finding my identity in the outward.


This morning I woke up, spent the entire morning with my creator and left the house, hair pinned back and bare skinned, feeling confident and beautiful. And it had absolutely nothing to do with my appearance. I felt beautiful because of the love which dwells so richly inside of me. The love of my creator, displayed in the beauty of His beloved creation. I have set aside my mirror and have begun asking the question
"Lord, what does my heart look like this morning? Please, fix it. Expose the blemishes of my heart so they may be healed. "
 I am beautiful because of  His Love.
 I was made in Love, to Love.
I rejoice! I love! I cannot explain this feeling. I am crazy!
For the first time in my entire life, I do not care, the slightest bit about my outward appearance. (Not to say that I am letting go and turning into a dirty sweat pants girl) I am just realizing that the only thing that really matters is love. (Duh)
What began as a journey to find confidence in myself, has led me to find confidence in Christ and in Christ alone. The theme of these past few weeks has been "Let go."
I know that the next thirty days will not be easy.
 I am battling a world that tells me to use my beauty for control.
I am battling a mind that tells me to conform to the ways of this world.
But, I am filled with a spirit of Love and Truth.
It's time to shine.

Alright, now that you know how I feel, here is a little side note.


I wanted to say how proud I am, and how very blessed I have been by all the women who have been inspired to embrace their natural beauty. Perhaps I have a sensitive spirit, but every-time I encounter somebody who says that I inspired them  and I see their beautiful bare skin, I am reduced to tears. I really cannot explain how it makes me feel. I am overjoyed with all of the women who have gone bare-faced, in confidence. You are all so beautiful, inside and out. Please continue to seek the Lord and root yourself in His love. You are not defined by your eyes or lips or skin, you are defined by His Love. Yes, you are a beautiful creation, and it is because He made you to Love you.

-Jasmine