I have a love-hate relationship with my bathing suit.
Ha, well I think most women would say “hear, hear” to that, me included. And especially after babies!? ?
Um yes, but I’ll be honest, I have always had these feeling toward my bathing suit… or my birthday suit as the case may be! Self-confidence has never been my strong suit! (Get it?!?) But now I have 4 boys, and twins to boot. And my body is… um… different, to put it nicely, so all of my body image issues are at the top of the surface again.
I hear ya. No one ever told me that once I had a baby my body would never look the same! ?
Well, it’s probably good no one mentioned it. ? And to complicate it, I have Diastasis Recti–you know, when your abs stick out and you look perpetually three months pregnant.
I do too! I don’t know what would have happened to me if I carried the twins to term! So how does this body image thing play out for you?
Hmm, well it’s not a topic I talk about much but if I’m honest, I have struggled that my body doesn’t look like it used to before kids. And I hate to admit it, but I compare myself to those moms who look like pregnancies didn’t even affect them.?
Well, I compare myself to you — tiny, beautiful lady who in my eyes looks wonderful in anything! Especially a bathing suit! It just goes to show me that I should not assume anything about what others are dealing with!
You’re sweet but isn’t that the truth?! I don’t think it’s so much about what size we are but about how secure we are, ya know?!
Or where we find security because it isn’t in size or shape. God doesn’t care what the scale says!
You’re right. And He doesn’t care if we have stretch marks or abs that don’t fit together anymore. He cares about our hearts.
And you know what else I think He cares about?
Do share!
Making memories with our kids! And they certainly don’t care about our non-thigh gap. ? All they care about is us being there with them.
So true! I need to remind myself of these things every time I look in the mirror… or at least every time I go to the pool! Because let’s face it: the boys NEED to go to to the pool! Plus when we go to the pool, naptime is AWESOME!!
Well, that in and of itself is worth wearing a swimsuit!! ? #thetruthaboutsummer #thetruthaboutbathingsuits
Soaking in the Truth
Scripture to encourage you:
- “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV).
Music to inspire you:
- “Beautiful” by MercyMe
Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:
- “God isn’t the one who puts a premium on appearance. We are. Height. Weight. Hair color. Clothing style. We’re addicted to beauty, drawn to beautiful things like moths to a light. Our mistake isn’t in the appreciation of beauty; it’s in the assumption that beauty equals worth. And that beauty equals love.
“God says we couldn’t be more wrong….
“Only God has perfect vision, seeing beyond the false exterior to the authentic heart. And when He looks at you, He sees an unmatched creation, someone He loves enough to dies for.” by Michele Cushatt, “I Am: A 60-Day Journey to Knowing Who You Are Because of Who He Is.” (www.MicheleCushatt.com)
- Moms, Put on That Swimsuit by Jessica Turner
- Dear Moms: This is Why You’re Gonna Put on That Swimsuit by Heather Creekmore
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{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more.
In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}