also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
ā€œI told you about my life, and you answered me; ā€œI told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.ā€ Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of the slide’ club
ā€œWe must reflect that, when we reach the end of ā€œWe must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.ā€ William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — ā€œDon’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.ā€ 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, ā€œLove puts in work.ā€
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inspiration, wellness · 01/19/2015

Fresh Start: A Different Kind of Diet

I recently came across this piece, and was so challenged by it I shared it with a couple of close friends that I knew could relate to it just like I could.

The expectation of physical perfection. It strikes early, and with the explosion of social media the expectation only seems to grow. Comparison is one of the biggest, or possibly the biggest, form of war/idolatry in the lives of women today.

We’re constantly doing it. Comparing. Getting discouraged. Looking at our bodies with grief. Looking at others with envy. Waging perfect vs. imperfect.

“In this as in all things, there is hope and good news for the believer: one day we will be free of our self-loathings and will live in harmony with our physical appearance. We will be given new, incorruptible bodies—bodies that are no longer on a collision course with the grave. We dare not reduce this future hope to that of an eternity with thinner thighs or a smaller nose. We must celebrate it as the day when vanity itself is dealt a fatal and final blow.” via

January. The month of “I’m going to lose 10 pounds” and “An hour at the gym everyday.”

But Jen, the author of the article I mentioned above, challenges us with something different, and I absolutely dig it.

“What if we didn’t? What if we didn’t talk about body sizes at all? What if we made it a point not to mention our own calorie sins or victories in front of our girlfriends and daughters? What if we started living in right relation to our bodies now, instead of at the resurrection? What if every time we looked in the mirror and were tempted to complain, we said ā€œThy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,ā€ laying claim to the future hope that our bodies will one day celebrate functionĀ in right relation to form, living in the glorious truth of that future hope now?”

In the past few months, I have steadfastly prayed for the Lord to right my view of exercise, body image, food, etc. And He graciously has… more than I ever could have imagined. So much so that I get aggravated when other people speak negatively about their bodies, or when I catch myself saying “Man, I shouldn’t have eaten that.”

What if this New Year we decided to fast not from food but from body talk?

Jen elaborates this way,

“Sure—hit the gym, eat the Paleo diet, run six miles a day, wear Spanx from neck to knee—just stop talking about it. Stop telling your friend she looks skinny—instead tell her you love her sweet spirit. Choose compliments that spur her to pursue that which lasts instead of that which certainly does not.Ā If someone comments on your own shape, say thanks and change the subject. Banish body talk to the sameĀ list of off-limits topics as salaries, name-dropping and colonoscopies. Apply the discipline you use to work out to controlling your tongue. Do this for your sisters, and by the grace of God, we could begin a legacy of womanhood that celebrates character over carb-avoidance, godliness over glamour.”

Marvelous. Can’t you already taste the freedom? The joy?

A diet from discussing shape and size.Ā 

Yes!

In: inspiration, wellness · Tagged: fresh start

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    01/26/2015 at 2:40 pm

    In the book of James, we are vehemently warned about the things that come out of our mouth. I believe what we say steers of reality. Your post is so timely and is a reminder that our perspective of the present should always be in context of the eternal. Thanks so much, Chelsea!

  2. Natalie says

    01/26/2015 at 2:43 pm

    Love, love, love this! Such a good take on a healthy New Year’s resolution. Thank you for sharing :)

  3. Brandy says

    01/26/2015 at 5:01 pm

    Wow… I could not agree more! My husband and I listened to a sermon by Matt Chandler this weekend and he shared that statistics show the two main buckets that women’s sin fall in are perfectionism and comparison. Sadly I knew it was true. As someone who has always fluctuated and struggled with weight, it has often times defined my confidence. After getting fit and smaller than I had been in years I realized I was consumed. All I could think about was what I was going to eat and when I would work out. The compliments of “you look so good” rang in my head at night but I knew that’s not the compliments I wanted. Thank you for sharing this…. I will be sharing it with my readers.

  4. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/26/2015 at 5:12 pm

    I listened to that same sermon a couple of weeks ago. A great word and challenge for sure. Friend, I have been in those shoes. I struggled with an eating disorder in college — graduated last May — and to be honest, only am now feeling the freedom in Christ. It is possible, friend!

  5. Jessica says

    01/27/2015 at 4:07 am

    I love this so much! We are quickly consumed with body image thoughts, and we lose focus on what is important. This is the best new year’s resolution!

  6. Anna @ The Beauty Section says

    01/30/2015 at 9:16 pm

    This was absolutely beautifully written and so inspiring. Every woman young and old should make this their New Year’s Resolution every year to come! Thank you so much for sharing what was on your heart!

  7. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/31/2015 at 4:38 pm

    I agree, Anna! I wish I could have a moment to look every woman in the eye and help them believe their beauty. Glad you stopped by :)

  8. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/31/2015 at 4:40 pm

    I agree, Jessica! I’ve been challenged recently to fill my heart and mind with things that build me up, not that which tears me down.

Trackbacks

  1. heartnatured - How To Be Radiant says:
    11/18/2015 at 2:24 pm

    […] have fought this fight for a few years now, which you can read a little about here, and here, and here, if you want.Ā  But as my husband put it recently, by the grace of God, I’m […]

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I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend who enjoys all things peanut butter, clean beauty, the written word, and a good sports movie. This is my place to share real life and Biblical encouragement to draw us all to deeper joy in God. Pull up your favorite internet browser and stay awhile!

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also, the curls also, the curls
her joy is the best her joy is the best
Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about Happily blaming @laurenpapa3 for telling me about this series. Rabbits. Royalty. Battles. Family. Hope. SO GOOD, @sdsmithereens.

I apologize in advance if your kids stay up until midnight like I did to finish a book. 😬
We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, We’re at the park, and she’s happily bouncing, amazed by the big trucks driving by, never wanting to stop going down the slide, smiling constantly — and I’m laughing with her, amazed at her joy and think — Is this what God feels like with me as His child? 

Delight. Lightness. Wonder. Love.

I was filled to the brim with it, covering every crack and reaching every corner. And then I realized — this. is. it. 

This is how I operate in the world. 

I felt so... whole... not because of my efforts at wholeness but because I have God and He has me. (Psalm 23 rings loud: with Him as my Shepherd, I lack nothing.) 

The best I can do for myself is accept and live in His love, especially when mistakes and lack and circumstances scream reasons I can’t. And the best I can do for others, those under my roof and those on this platform, is to extend invitations of His love through my own and through His Word. 

If your life has told you He doesn’t want to love you or know you, I’m here to tell that He does. It’s waiting for you, probably even pursuing you... it just takes a Yes of faith. 

Message me if you want to talk about it; I would LOVE to hear your story, no matter how different we are. 

You're not forsaken,
You're not alone
His love is unending
So know it well
Remind your soul,
remind your spirit,
remind your heart
The love of the Father
Know it well
—Kari Jobe
Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @ Bless you and thank you for your heart and work, @morganharpernichols.
ā€œI told you about my life, and you answered me; ā€œI told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word. Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me your instruction. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding.ā€ Psalms‬ ‭119:26-32 CSB‬‬
18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of t 18 months old and she’s joined the ā€˜lover of the slide’ club
ā€œWe must reflect that, when we reach the end of ā€œWe must reflect that, when we reach the end of our days, our life experience will equal what we have paid attention to, whether by choice or default. We are at risk, without quite fully realizing it, of living lives that are less our own than we imagine.ā€ William James

With the help of God, may we strive to become abiding and attentive people instead of distracted and defeated people.
The entire thing is He loved me first. And even wh The entire thing is He loved me first. And even when our surroundings are burning or when all we see is rubble, there is an unseen Kingdom to serve, a Family to be part of, and a powerful Love to give and receive. 

Every week it seems I’m inspired by a comment a friend and pastor made years ago — ā€œDon’t be afraid to talk to someone about the truth of Jesus. Think of it as joining a conversation God might already be having with that person.ā€ 

May we be conduits of that strong, courageous, welcoming, comforting, healing, transforming, sustaining, peacemaking, eternal Love. Or as Bernice King said, ā€œLove puts in work.ā€
Call it ā€˜a Sunday stroll in Appling.’ Call it ā€˜a Sunday stroll in Appling.’

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