"Only 4% of women have the genetic ability to match the 'ideal' body type presented by the media. The other 96% often take extreme measures to obtain this unobtainable image"
I think that we're all aware of the fact that most women have unrealistic expectations about their bodies and appearance. All you have to do is take a five minute walk through Stockies and you will be confronted with society's misguided notion of beauty, and how most of us fall short. The immaculately dressed mannequins that we'd love to rip the heads off leer at us from behind their glass windows, taunting us with their blank stares that so clearly say; you're not skinny enough, not pretty enough, your hair is too messy and your clothes aren't good enough. If anyone is actually reading this, you're probably thinking that I'm exaggerating, and I know that alot of people try to trivialise the problem of female body image and say that they are petty complaints...But from the conversations that I've had with alot of girls over the past few months, this is not a minor concern. This is a very real problem that is often all-consuming, and even though it is entirely irrational, it's existence is undeniable. So, for the sake of this blog, I thought that it was necessary for me to relinquish some of my pride and share a hideously embarrassing story. When I look back it gives me quite a laugh, but I think it also helped to cement a very important lesson in not gaining or losing my self-esteem through my appearance.
This story is set around mid 2007. I woke up in the early hours of the morning and I felt.. different. My face felt a little tight, so I stumbled out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to see what the go was. Once my eyes had adjusted to the light, I realised that both of my lips had swollen to three times their normal size. Just pause and take a minute to visualise this....yes, that ridiculous picture that you are now thinking about is EXACTLY what I looked like. Really. I made Angelina Joulie look like a tight-lipped lemon-sucker. So, now mildly disturbed, I thought I should probably alert Mum. I went and woke her up, described my fat lips, and waited for some advice and encouragement. Although, as yet another boost to my rapidly deflating self-esteem, Mum couldn't bring herself to look at me for at least 5 minutes, and once she did she couldn't help letting out a horrified gasp. This was followed by quite alot of laughing and an Eddie Murphy reference, but eventually we managed to find some allergy tablets and went back to bed. When I woke up in the morning, the whole of my face from the nose down was unbelieveably itchy and now covered in one of those unbearable rashes that cause you to believe that getting a knife and slashing your face would actually be quite a relief from the itchiness. So, after numbing my face with an ice pack for over an hour, I made an appointment to go to the doctor. Now, I wasn't exactly thrilled about going out in public in my current state. My lips were swollen and the bottom half of my face was red and covered in a rash... society makes cruel assumptions about people who walk around with conditions like that. However slashing my face with a knife was quickly becoming a very real option in my mind, so I decided to swallow my pride and see a doctor. Because it was such short notice, I had to see the first doctor that was available. And, to add to the now mounting series of unfortunate events, I think it's important to note here that the doctor I saw was fresh out of med school and very good looking. Anywho, the poor guy was just as embarrassed as I was and completely stumped, so he had to call in one of the senior doctors who rattled off a list of possible causes (including wind burn if I had been out at sea..she didn't care that I told her I hadn't been near the ocean, and if I had I doubt it would make my lips swell). Long story short, they gave me some antibiotics and I later discovered that I had developed an allergy to the face powder I had been using, and subsequently vowed to never go to that GP again.
As embarrassing as this whole situation was, looking back I realised how easy it is to allow what we look like dictate what we do. I could have easily let my fear of being ridiculed for my appearance (a very real possibility in this case) prevent me from getting the help that I needed.I know that this is probably an extreme example, but I think it's still relevant to how so many women let their perceptions of their image, or other people's perceptions, or their perceptions of other people's perceptions control and manipulate their lives. But all of these can act as bondage that prevent us from being all that God wants us to be. So here's the truth, and "the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). Girls, we are beautiful! We are daughters of Christ and the handiwork of God, created in His image! Our bodies are temples of the living God! (2 Cor. 6:16-18). This is one of my favourite verses: "You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Pslam 139:13-14). So often our opinions of ourselves are crowded out by a list of shortcomings and flaws, but we are the FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made daughters of the Most High! Don't ever forget that...even when those negative voices in your head threaten to overpower you every time you look in the mirror. We are all unique, and loved in a way that we will never be able to fully comprehend. So often we try to manipulate our God-given beauty with layer upon layer of name-brand makeup (because "we're worth it") and constantly changing fashions that we're told have the power to construct the very essence of who we are. But these are all lies.
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit." (1 Peter 3:3-4).
So whether it's only using all natural mineral based face powder that is solely produced in New Zealand, or if it's indulging in your girly love of anything even remotely related to makeup, take the time to stop and consider the role that these ultimately superficial things play in the development of your self-esteem and perception of beauty. I'm not trying to turn you all into hippies, but we are beautiful without those things, and the realisation of this is something that you hold with you always.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Even More Ramblings...
I realised today that both of my other two blogs talk about love, and considering that Feburary is 'Love Month' (or so the radio insists on reminding me), I thought I would continue the love-theme in this blog.. then I promise I will find something else to write about :)
Today I stumbled across my old diaries from primary school and early highschool (which, by the way, are HILARIOUS! If I ever feel the urge to do away with dignity I'll publish them and say that they're fictional), and anyway, in between the fits of laughter and acute embarrassment, I found this email that I had saved that really made me smile. You may have been sent this at some stage, it has been floating around in cyber space for a number of years now, but I thought I would share it here anyway. A group of professional people posed the question to a group of 4-8 year olds, "What does love mean?".. and some of the answers these kids came up with are just amazing.. I think it's a really good lesson in not underestimating how perceptive children can be.. Here's what some of them said:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too." - Rebecca, aged 8.
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." - Billy, aged 4.
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." - Karl, aged 5.
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs." - Chrissy, aged 6.
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." - Terri, aged 4.
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." - Bobby, aged 5.
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." - Nikka, aged 6.
"There are two kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." - Jenny, aged 4.
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." - Noelle, aged 7.
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." - Tommy, aged 6.
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." - Mary Ann, aged 4.
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." - Lauren, aged 4.
"I let my big sister pick on me because my Mum says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her." - Bethany, aged 4.
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." - Jessica, aged 8.
And, my favourite..
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." - Karen, aged 7.
Isn't that awesome? I think that some of these kids could probably teach us a thing or two about love....like the significance of how you say the name of someone you love; or how love allows you to give even when it hurts; or the little efforts we make to impress, such as perfume or a nice shirt; or giving without expecting anything in return; or the ability that love has to make you forget your problems; or the value in not just loving those who love you; or how love allows you to enjoy another's company even when you know their every fault and flaw; or how important it is to tell those around you that you love them. I love hearing what children have to say about things that are often considered 'grown-up topics'. Their oppinions are so unaffected by society, and their honesty and ability to trust is something that, I think, we could learn from. So often people don't take the time to listen to children, but trust me, it's worth it!
Today I stumbled across my old diaries from primary school and early highschool (which, by the way, are HILARIOUS! If I ever feel the urge to do away with dignity I'll publish them and say that they're fictional), and anyway, in between the fits of laughter and acute embarrassment, I found this email that I had saved that really made me smile. You may have been sent this at some stage, it has been floating around in cyber space for a number of years now, but I thought I would share it here anyway. A group of professional people posed the question to a group of 4-8 year olds, "What does love mean?".. and some of the answers these kids came up with are just amazing.. I think it's a really good lesson in not underestimating how perceptive children can be.. Here's what some of them said:
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too." - Rebecca, aged 8.
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth." - Billy, aged 4.
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." - Karl, aged 5.
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your french fries without making them give you any of theirs." - Chrissy, aged 6.
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." - Terri, aged 4.
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." - Bobby, aged 5.
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." - Nikka, aged 6.
"There are two kinds of love. Our love. God's love. But God makes both kinds of them." - Jenny, aged 4.
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." - Noelle, aged 7.
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." - Tommy, aged 6.
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." - Mary Ann, aged 4.
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." - Lauren, aged 4.
"I let my big sister pick on me because my Mum says she only picks on me because she loves me. So I pick on my baby sister because I love her." - Bethany, aged 4.
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." - Jessica, aged 8.
And, my favourite..
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." - Karen, aged 7.
Isn't that awesome? I think that some of these kids could probably teach us a thing or two about love....like the significance of how you say the name of someone you love; or how love allows you to give even when it hurts; or the little efforts we make to impress, such as perfume or a nice shirt; or giving without expecting anything in return; or the ability that love has to make you forget your problems; or the value in not just loving those who love you; or how love allows you to enjoy another's company even when you know their every fault and flaw; or how important it is to tell those around you that you love them. I love hearing what children have to say about things that are often considered 'grown-up topics'. Their oppinions are so unaffected by society, and their honesty and ability to trust is something that, I think, we could learn from. So often people don't take the time to listen to children, but trust me, it's worth it!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
More Ramblings...
Oh goodness...Blogging really is addictive. I almost wish that I hadn't stumbled across this, because I just know that I'm going to waste far too much time writing about whatever happens to be on my mind...especially on nights when I can't sleep, which unfortunately happens to be most nights. And I know I know, I should be in bed with one of those ridiculous eyemasks on, sipping camomile tea and listening to a soothing recording of ocean sounds or something of the like...but I'm yet to find someone who actually considers those recorded ocean sounds to be relaxing.. it just seems like irritating noise pollution that prevents you from sleeping, which leads to frustration, which is compounded by the fact that you're overtired and already rather frustrated at your inability to sleep. Real life ocean sounds, however, are very relaxing...although driving all the way to the beach, just to sleep, when you'd probably just accidentally lock your keys in the car and have your purse stolen by a gang of teenagers who would then throw rocks at your car seems a little impractical. But anyway.. as interesting as all of that is (note the sarcasm), it's not actually what I planned to write about.
Once again today I found myself with far too much time on my hands, which was actually really nice, considering that Uni starts again in 3 short weeks, and I'll morph back into being a hideous nerd who survives on coffee and coffee alone. So, what with all this spare time, I started feeling rather nostalgic. I think that often happens at the begining of a new year, when you have the chance to stop and appreciate all that the past year has taught you about life. I know that I've learnt alot. So that got me thinking about all that we've gone through...collectively...because that's how it is with friends; their pain is your pain, their joy is your joy, etc. And, to be honest, there's some pretty good material here. Really. 2007 was quite an eventful year...if any of us are ambitious enough we could probably start a sitcom that would rival 'The OC'. Actually I think that 'Big Brother' (a.k.a "let's cram the shame of society into a house and see how long it takes for them to get naked..on national television!") rivals 'The OC' these days, seeing as it's no longer showing, so that probably wasn't the best example to use as a measure of greatness, but you get my meaning. Seriously though, I think that we experienced alot of what life has to offer in 2007.
Some of us found love, maybe for the first time, maybe for the second time; either way it felt like everything we had done before was new and exciting. Some of us learnt that we didn't really know what love was, and what we thought to be love was really a deception. Some of us lost love, but discovered that we could survive, and are stronger for the experience. Some of us had our hearts broken, and it may be awhile before they are whole again, but we have to be content in waiting for that day to come. Some of us made commitments to another that will last until our dying days. Some of us watched as family or friends succumbed to illness, and struggled with the uncertainty and that horrible yet humbling feeling of being completely out of control. Some of us said goodbye to family or friends for the last time, and persevered through everyday life as if nothing had changed, when at the same time it felt like life would never be the same. Some of us watched as our friends and family grieved the loss of loved ones, and wished that there was something that we could do to fix it, but at the same time knew that just being there was enough. Some of us struggled with not being able to be with loved ones as they went through hard times and cursed the ever-rising cost of flights. Some of us were awestruck by the gift of life and the blessing of children, and watched as they grew so quickly. Some of us travelled overseas and saw the beauty of God's creation abroad..be it for a few weeks, months, or an entire year. Some of us fought with lonliness that was a result of someone's absence from our lives, or a certain part of our lives. Some of us discovered new things about ourselves. What we can achieve. How strong we are. That we can still stand tall through adversity. Some of us learnt new things about our loved ones and redefined some of our relationships. Some of us tried new things, and pushed limits that we thought were steadfast. Some of us made new friends that we know we'll have for life. Some of us lost friends, yet now question whether they were really friends at all. Some of us learnt to laugh, and learnt to cry. We learnt to let others in, but also to guard our hearts.
So there you have it. Alot can happen in 365 days. Alot can change in 365 days. It's exciting to think that, in a years time, I'll be looking back again on all that I have learnt from this year that we're yet to experience! So I guess my little inspiring ending to this blog (you should probably imagine a violin playing now..it would help with the visual) is to appreciate the potential that all of our encounters each and every day have to teach us valuable life lessons. The gift of hindsight shows us that often we don't realise at the time that we're experiencing a truly life changing moment. Live each day like it's your last! Take chances! Tell someone something that you haven't had the courage to say! Dance like no-one is watching! Sing like no-one is around! Google some cliche's so that I'll have some better ones for next time!
:)
Once again today I found myself with far too much time on my hands, which was actually really nice, considering that Uni starts again in 3 short weeks, and I'll morph back into being a hideous nerd who survives on coffee and coffee alone. So, what with all this spare time, I started feeling rather nostalgic. I think that often happens at the begining of a new year, when you have the chance to stop and appreciate all that the past year has taught you about life. I know that I've learnt alot. So that got me thinking about all that we've gone through...collectively...because that's how it is with friends; their pain is your pain, their joy is your joy, etc. And, to be honest, there's some pretty good material here. Really. 2007 was quite an eventful year...if any of us are ambitious enough we could probably start a sitcom that would rival 'The OC'. Actually I think that 'Big Brother' (a.k.a "let's cram the shame of society into a house and see how long it takes for them to get naked..on national television!") rivals 'The OC' these days, seeing as it's no longer showing, so that probably wasn't the best example to use as a measure of greatness, but you get my meaning. Seriously though, I think that we experienced alot of what life has to offer in 2007.
Some of us found love, maybe for the first time, maybe for the second time; either way it felt like everything we had done before was new and exciting. Some of us learnt that we didn't really know what love was, and what we thought to be love was really a deception. Some of us lost love, but discovered that we could survive, and are stronger for the experience. Some of us had our hearts broken, and it may be awhile before they are whole again, but we have to be content in waiting for that day to come. Some of us made commitments to another that will last until our dying days. Some of us watched as family or friends succumbed to illness, and struggled with the uncertainty and that horrible yet humbling feeling of being completely out of control. Some of us said goodbye to family or friends for the last time, and persevered through everyday life as if nothing had changed, when at the same time it felt like life would never be the same. Some of us watched as our friends and family grieved the loss of loved ones, and wished that there was something that we could do to fix it, but at the same time knew that just being there was enough. Some of us struggled with not being able to be with loved ones as they went through hard times and cursed the ever-rising cost of flights. Some of us were awestruck by the gift of life and the blessing of children, and watched as they grew so quickly. Some of us travelled overseas and saw the beauty of God's creation abroad..be it for a few weeks, months, or an entire year. Some of us fought with lonliness that was a result of someone's absence from our lives, or a certain part of our lives. Some of us discovered new things about ourselves. What we can achieve. How strong we are. That we can still stand tall through adversity. Some of us learnt new things about our loved ones and redefined some of our relationships. Some of us tried new things, and pushed limits that we thought were steadfast. Some of us made new friends that we know we'll have for life. Some of us lost friends, yet now question whether they were really friends at all. Some of us learnt to laugh, and learnt to cry. We learnt to let others in, but also to guard our hearts.
So there you have it. Alot can happen in 365 days. Alot can change in 365 days. It's exciting to think that, in a years time, I'll be looking back again on all that I have learnt from this year that we're yet to experience! So I guess my little inspiring ending to this blog (you should probably imagine a violin playing now..it would help with the visual) is to appreciate the potential that all of our encounters each and every day have to teach us valuable life lessons. The gift of hindsight shows us that often we don't realise at the time that we're experiencing a truly life changing moment. Live each day like it's your last! Take chances! Tell someone something that you haven't had the courage to say! Dance like no-one is watching! Sing like no-one is around! Google some cliche's so that I'll have some better ones for next time!
:)
Friday, February 8, 2008
Ramblings...
Well! This is my first ever blog! To be honest I don't really know what I'm going to write about yet...given that I'm home alone on a Friday night, determined not to tarnish my cognitive capacity any further by watching the senseless rubbish that's on TV at the moment, a little tired of reading my book, but not tired enough to go to sleep, this blog will most likely consist of the disjointed and drawn-out ramblings of an over-tired and under-stimulated hermit (hence the title..creative, I know). If the structure of that sentence is any indication of how this blog will be set out, it could be quite detrimental to your sanity, and you should stop reading immediately...really...just press the little red 'x' at the top right hand corner of the screen...that's all it takes...
Well if anybody is still reading this (and for your sake I hope that's nobody...I did try to warn you), I should probably start with what has been on my mind today, and undoubtedly on the minds of every love-struck 13 year old on an international scale...Valentine's Day! I was thinking about Valentine's Day mainly because tomorrow at work we will be inundated with men of all ages who have left it to the last minute to buy a gift for their sweetheart, and will leave our shop satisfied with their purchase of a single stem rose made entirely from coloured bird feathers that have been sprayed with rose incense oil, only to be shocked at the look of disappointment on their sweetheart's face come Valentine's Day. So, that got me thinking (yes, my own thoughts, deep as they were, got me thinking.. aren't I..err.. thoughtful?) how Valentine's Day means different things for different people. For some, Valentine's Day will be an awful reminder of a void that exists in their lives, that they have managed to convince themselves is merely a speck, when really it's a gaping black hole. For some, this Valentine's Day will foster a feeling of loneliness so intense that it's almost suffocating, and a longing for that special someone, who, for whatever reason, is absent. For others, this Valentine's Day will be a taste of things to come, a chance to enjoy simply being with the one you love, and a chance to appreciate the simple treasures in life; like a handmade card with a misshapen heart glued on the front, or the sweet fragrance of a scentless rose grown in vain at the height of a typical Townsville summer. Because it doesn't matter that the artistic design of the card is below third grade standard, or that the scent of the brown, wilted rose is remarkably reminiscent of dirt, all that matters is that they were given in love. For others still, Valentine's Day means basking in the liberating freedom of being a content singleton, scoffing at the naivety of young lovers and the abundance of clichés such as chocolates and flowers, which ultimately are superficial in nature and lack any real substance or significance. I'm particularly excited about Valentine's Day this year because I'll be at work (which, in itself, is particularly unexciting), but I will be wearing the most hideously festive costume I could manage to put together without losing my job...a bright red apron covered with pink and purple love hearts, red ribbons in my hair, rose tattoos..it's going to be awesome. So there you have it, four completely different perceptions of Valentine's Day...all very unique..
After thinking about how people perceive Valentine's Day in very different ways, depending on individual situations and circumstances, I started thinking about how Valentine's Day fundamentally exists to celebrate one thing.. love. Love, by nature, surpasses circumstances. God didn't create love one way for one group of people, and another way for another group of people. "Love is patient, Love is kind..." You know the rest. So, after pondering the concept of love (I would just like to pause here to say that, if you are still reading, I did warn you that this would lack any real direction, and next time you should take my warnings a little more seriously...), I started thinking about how people respond to love and perceive love in different ways, dependant on a multitude of factors. Trying to list some of these factors would be beyond the scope of this blog box, but I'm sure you can think of a few yourself. Some people react to love by falling hard and fast, by allowing another person to be privy to the intricate details of their very being, by allowing themselves to be completely vulnerable, and by being willing to give up life as they have known it just to be with another. Comparatively, some respond to love by freaking out at the intensity of their emotion and regress into being introverted and overly cautious; effectively pushing away the very person they're dying to let in, and losing what they were so desperate to hold on to. How we give, receive and respond to love alters and changes, for countless reasons. Human love is conditional, inconstant, wavering. I know that sounds cynical, and I'm not saying that all human love unequivocally follows that trend 100% of the time, but, for the sake of conversation (that I'm probably having with myself), human love is far from perfect.
So, that got me thinking about the One who created love, and the one true love that is so freely offered to us. It is unconditional, constant, unchanging, fixed, unwavering, unfaltering, we have done nothing to deserve it, yet there is nothing we can do to stop receiving it. How awesome is that?! It blows my mind every time I stop and think about it. When all around us is uncertain, when we are deserted and forsaken by those who claim to love us, we will always have the certainty of the love of Jesus Christ, which is so unwarranted, but given to us regardless, and all we need to do is trust.
So, this Valentine's Day, whatever Valentine's Day means to you - whether it's the chance to dress up as an escapee from the mad house, a chance to take great delight in mocking outward displays of love and affection, a chance to embrace the simple beauties of new love and the refreshing notion of beginning a journey with the one who captured your heart by your side, or if it's a chance to wallow in self pity in your pyjamas on the couch with a bucket of double chocolate chip ice cream and a copy of "The Notebook", take a moment to think about the one true love, that will never leave us, that can never be taken from us, that will never forsake us. The love of Jesus Christ, pure in every way, unending, steadfast, all consuming, a love that exceeds all bounds.
Well if anybody is still reading this (and for your sake I hope that's nobody...I did try to warn you), I should probably start with what has been on my mind today, and undoubtedly on the minds of every love-struck 13 year old on an international scale...Valentine's Day! I was thinking about Valentine's Day mainly because tomorrow at work we will be inundated with men of all ages who have left it to the last minute to buy a gift for their sweetheart, and will leave our shop satisfied with their purchase of a single stem rose made entirely from coloured bird feathers that have been sprayed with rose incense oil, only to be shocked at the look of disappointment on their sweetheart's face come Valentine's Day. So, that got me thinking (yes, my own thoughts, deep as they were, got me thinking.. aren't I..err.. thoughtful?) how Valentine's Day means different things for different people. For some, Valentine's Day will be an awful reminder of a void that exists in their lives, that they have managed to convince themselves is merely a speck, when really it's a gaping black hole. For some, this Valentine's Day will foster a feeling of loneliness so intense that it's almost suffocating, and a longing for that special someone, who, for whatever reason, is absent. For others, this Valentine's Day will be a taste of things to come, a chance to enjoy simply being with the one you love, and a chance to appreciate the simple treasures in life; like a handmade card with a misshapen heart glued on the front, or the sweet fragrance of a scentless rose grown in vain at the height of a typical Townsville summer. Because it doesn't matter that the artistic design of the card is below third grade standard, or that the scent of the brown, wilted rose is remarkably reminiscent of dirt, all that matters is that they were given in love. For others still, Valentine's Day means basking in the liberating freedom of being a content singleton, scoffing at the naivety of young lovers and the abundance of clichés such as chocolates and flowers, which ultimately are superficial in nature and lack any real substance or significance. I'm particularly excited about Valentine's Day this year because I'll be at work (which, in itself, is particularly unexciting), but I will be wearing the most hideously festive costume I could manage to put together without losing my job...a bright red apron covered with pink and purple love hearts, red ribbons in my hair, rose tattoos..it's going to be awesome. So there you have it, four completely different perceptions of Valentine's Day...all very unique..
After thinking about how people perceive Valentine's Day in very different ways, depending on individual situations and circumstances, I started thinking about how Valentine's Day fundamentally exists to celebrate one thing.. love. Love, by nature, surpasses circumstances. God didn't create love one way for one group of people, and another way for another group of people. "Love is patient, Love is kind..." You know the rest. So, after pondering the concept of love (I would just like to pause here to say that, if you are still reading, I did warn you that this would lack any real direction, and next time you should take my warnings a little more seriously...), I started thinking about how people respond to love and perceive love in different ways, dependant on a multitude of factors. Trying to list some of these factors would be beyond the scope of this blog box, but I'm sure you can think of a few yourself. Some people react to love by falling hard and fast, by allowing another person to be privy to the intricate details of their very being, by allowing themselves to be completely vulnerable, and by being willing to give up life as they have known it just to be with another. Comparatively, some respond to love by freaking out at the intensity of their emotion and regress into being introverted and overly cautious; effectively pushing away the very person they're dying to let in, and losing what they were so desperate to hold on to. How we give, receive and respond to love alters and changes, for countless reasons. Human love is conditional, inconstant, wavering. I know that sounds cynical, and I'm not saying that all human love unequivocally follows that trend 100% of the time, but, for the sake of conversation (that I'm probably having with myself), human love is far from perfect.
So, that got me thinking about the One who created love, and the one true love that is so freely offered to us. It is unconditional, constant, unchanging, fixed, unwavering, unfaltering, we have done nothing to deserve it, yet there is nothing we can do to stop receiving it. How awesome is that?! It blows my mind every time I stop and think about it. When all around us is uncertain, when we are deserted and forsaken by those who claim to love us, we will always have the certainty of the love of Jesus Christ, which is so unwarranted, but given to us regardless, and all we need to do is trust.
So, this Valentine's Day, whatever Valentine's Day means to you - whether it's the chance to dress up as an escapee from the mad house, a chance to take great delight in mocking outward displays of love and affection, a chance to embrace the simple beauties of new love and the refreshing notion of beginning a journey with the one who captured your heart by your side, or if it's a chance to wallow in self pity in your pyjamas on the couch with a bucket of double chocolate chip ice cream and a copy of "The Notebook", take a moment to think about the one true love, that will never leave us, that can never be taken from us, that will never forsake us. The love of Jesus Christ, pure in every way, unending, steadfast, all consuming, a love that exceeds all bounds.
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