Where to begin? (Part 3)

I needed a serious attitude adjustment.

Now that experience certainly taught me something, but it didn't change my general thoughts towards women overnight. In fact, I occasionally still have to retract some things I say that are not God-honoring in regards to women. But I have come a long way. In realizing my jaded feelings towards all women, I also discovered that I had been neglecting the fact that I, too, am a woman. Once I decided that my attitude needed to change I began rewording my sentences and trying to plant new, positive thought patterns regarding women and womanhood. Instead of saying, "Oh, of course that's a woman driving!" when someone aggravates me on the road, I try to think, "Hmmm...I wonder what's going on in her life that is distracting her today. Perhaps an issue at work? Or maybe a sick kid?" Give your sister a little grace.

What is true beauty?

So that is how my interest in true beauty was sparked, by God literally shoving it in my face. Since then I've been discovering more and more about beauty and what makes each woman uniquely beautiful. This is something I hope to explore more in future posts. Note, by true beauty I am referring to an inward and outward beauty. It is my experience and belief that every single woman has both if you're willing to look hard enough for it.

You radiate.

Now for a brief explanation of the second half of our blog title:  Radiant. To be radiant is to emanate light, and in my definition of radiance love and joy are included. Not only are we, as women, beautiful by divine design, but we are like little lighthouses or beacons. We are intended to shine (share) this divine light (the character of God), as well as love and joy, for we are "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4). We are called to participate in the Kingdom of heaven here on earth by boldly sharing our faith in Christ and telling others of the amazing freedom found in accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. Another, less direct way we share Christ with others is simply by loving them. Jesus said, "A new command I give you:  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34). And so we are called to love everyone. Thirdly, we should have an abundance of joy as a sign of God's great love and faithfulness. Christ said, "I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:11). Having the joy of Christ year-round, not just in the good seasons of life, is a sure sign to others of His provision.

You are beautifully radiant.

So there you have it. You are beautifully radiant. So my sisters, as this 3-part introduction to our blog concludes, the journey together is just beginning. In this blog I plan to explore all of these topics deeper:  beauty, radiance, love, joy, bravery, God's faithfulness, our role in His divine nature, what it means to be a woman, and many many more. If you have any suggestions for a possible post, please leave me a comment or fill out my contact sheet. Can't wait to dive in more with you!

Be brave darlings!