Beauty Beyond The Mirror

I'm sure many have wondered why there is so much pressure for women of all ages to look skinny. Every girl goes through self-esteem issues. The idea that skinny is beauty is a big stereotype that's constantly being advertised left, right and centre. All the diets tell us, models and celebrities 'prove it' to us, the world constantly tells us, even friends and family can sometimes tell us and make us feel that skinny people are more attractive than those with curvy figures. How is this suppose to help the larger woman of the world feel beautiful? It encourages the mindset that until we are petite and tiny, we aren't labelled as beautiful. It makes us feel like we don't fit the beauty criteria, and therefore are not beautiful. I am a curvy 17 year-old and I am guilty of thinking this way. I'm not as skinny as the girl next door, but should I let that determine my self worth and beauty? Absolutely not and you shouldn't either. 

This is a shout out to all the beautiful women of the world! Don't let the number on your bathroom scales determine the way you think about yourself. Each one of us is a UNIQUE! AND BEAUTIFUL! human being that God created in His image. I use to wonder, if God had made me trimmer or more beautiful, I would be able to do things for Him better because I would be able to step out in confidence. This is not only a big, fat lie but doubts God sovereignty over His creation in us. Thinking this way can become a habit that holds us back and keeps us from doing what we are capable of. God doesn't want that. God loves you girls, He seriously loves you with an insane love that we can't even comprehend!, and what we look like doesn't change that. 

The verse that we created Unfading Elegance with is 1 Peter 3:3-4. Here is is again: 

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (NKJV) 

This verse shows that God defines beauty as what our heart is like. I'm positive He didn't create us to be self conscious all the time. I'm not saying to completely let yourself go and not brush your hair or teeth or wear nice clothes.  I like to always look presentable, but try not to place value on my appearance, label it as important or take priority in my life. It's been a process, but I've now found peace in knowing that I am God's daughter and He loves me, pimples and all! I'm resisting the pressure of always trying to look thin. Curvy figures run in both sides of my family and I don't think it's anything to be ashamed about. I still try to be healthy and I think that's where the line is drawn. Being skinny and being healthy are two very different things. 

Please don't be drawn in to believing or thinking that beauty looks a certain way. Weight and dress sizes don't have a right to determine who you are or what you're capable of. I encourage all who are struggling with self-esteem issues to try and grasp and don't let go of the truth of God's Word and to find peace in the knowledge that you are beautiful, no matter how you look or what your dress size is. Walk with confidence and joy! Be happy in your skin :) 

God bless!! 

~ Taleisha 

Feature on The Boyd Sisters

Hi all!! A few months ago Meggie and I were asked to feature on a blog written by two sisters known as The Boyd Sisters. They have a blog (theboydsisters.blogspot.com) and are well known among Christian bloggers in the United States. It was a huge honour for us to be asked to do this and we see it as an exciting step for Unfading Elegance as our blog reaches others around the world. If you would like to learn more about my personal journey with Christ and life up until now, please follow the link below. Meggie should be featuring sometime in the months to come. Happy reading!! The did spell my name wrong but all has been forgiven :)

The Boyd Sisters: Inspirational Mondays - Taleshia Webber: Taleshia Webber of Unfading Elegance 1. Why did you choose Christ? I chose to live for Jesus Christ on September 18, 2005, when I was 9...

God bless!! Stay tuned for another post later this week ;)

~ Taleisha

Live in Today!

 

 

You have no idea how many more todays you will have on this earth. Enjoy it! Live it, and bless the people around you!
If this was your last day on earth, how would you want to live it?

 

Every day is a gift from God.
Use it.

 

~ Meggie

The One Year Devo's For Teen Girls

Tackling our top concerns through daily five minute devotions, Dannah Gresh and Suzy Weibel, go through different topics like, friendship, guys, image, heaven, church, forgiveness, judging, government and everything you could think of. The devotions are easy and quick to read, but encouraging and challenging.

I personally really enjoyed reading through these. Every devotion is based off a bible verse, and these ladies really put it into everyday understandable terms. I liked how they show you how each bible verse affects your life as a Christian. At the end of each daily devotion, is an 'Action Step' that you can take each day to really live out your faith. This would be helpful for those who have read the bible and need a devotional to help connect their beliefs into life.

Rating: 9/10
Content: this is probably for more older girls.
Ages: 15/16 and up.

Check out this book on Amazon.

~ Reviewed by Meggie

So Long, Insecurity Teen Edition!

Author and Bible Teacher, Beth Moore tackles the issue of insecurity in this special teen edition of her best-selling book, So Long, Insecurity. She answers questions like:  What is insecurity? What does real beauty look like? How do I become the girl God meant me to be? How can I be happy and secure in who I am?
This book is written in a honest way. It's a simple, straight forward introduction to dealing with insecurity and how to be confident in being yourself. It is full of fun quiz's to test how you feel about different issues; it has answers from girls like you and me, and it is filled with bible verses to boost your confidence in Christ.
The book is laid out in an easy-read magazine style. I would recommend this book to younger girls who are just starting to struggle with these issues and need a bit of a fun introduction in how to deal with it.
The best way to use this book? Collect a group of your Christian girlfriends and read through each chapter together. At the end of each chapter, there are a list of thought-provoking questions you can use. I think it would be a lot of fun to do with your girlfriends and a good springboard to deeper discussions.

Rating: 6/10 stars
Content:  An interview references to drugs, alcohol, and pre-marital sex.
Ages: 12-14

Check out this book on Tyndale Teens, Twitter and Instagram.

~ Reviewed by Meggie

It's Our Birthday!!

Isn't it crazy how quickly time goes?! I remember clearly our 1st birthday! The fact that we are able to have a 2nd birthday is because of God and all of you. We want to thank all of our readers and followers for your constant views, prayers, comments and support. Without you, our blog and mission to encourage, empower and help our Sisters in Christ draw nearer to God wouldn't be as fruitful as it is now. It's a huge achievement for Unfading Elegance and we want to thank God for placing this form of ministry on our hearts. 

We would love to hear from you guys!! Shoot us an email or comment below with the things you would like Unfading Elegance to bring in the year to come, subjects you want us to cover or explain on a deeper level, if you have something you would like to say to us, a Word you would like to share or whatever is on your heart. 

To help us reach more young women, spread the Word of God and help where we can, please invite your friends to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and this blog! We would really appreciate it. May all praise and glory go to God, our Provider and Father!! 

Once again thank you to everyone who has been a part in UE's journey. May God bless you all!!! 

Love, 

Meggie and Taleisha! 

Loving God - Part Two

Continuing on from Loving God - Part One... 

How can we show God we love Him? What can we do every day? 

Taleisha: For me I LOVE to sing. The way I can best connect and feel God is through worshiping Him with music. It's common for me to grab the guitar and just sing praise and worship songs in my room. Because I love playing the guitar and singing, and I love God, it's a blessing to me and gives me an amazing feeling when I can sing my love to God through something else that I love. I've written songs for God, it's my way of explaining to Him how grateful I am, with lyrics from the heart and words of gratitude. Find something you love and are passionate about, use your talents to glorify Him! If you like to draw or paint, draw or paint something for God! If you like to dance, dance for God! If you like to sing, sing for God! Using the talents He's given you to worship Him. Show Him you love Him in the small things like reading your Bible and spending time in His presence. Soak up His love, be filled with it and then spread it with others with your overflowing joy! Think of the things you like to do and find ways to turn it around so the glory goes to your Father in Heaven. 

Meggie: I find when I spend unscheduled time with God just because I feel like it, I grow closer to Him. Kind of like when two lovers just meet up because they want to. They don't necessarily want to do anything, or talk about anything, but just be with each other and enjoy each others company. 

I heard of a girl once, who on Valentines Day, set up two chairs and a table, and set it all up with flowers, wine glasses, and candles. And she had a date with God. As weird as that sounds, I think sometimes just hanging with God brings me so much closer to Him!

What are some ways we can worship God? 

People have different love languages, which means there is no specific way to worship Him. We are able to use our love language to love God. 

- We can love Him in our actions by doing things that honour Him. Like; helping someone when they fall, making something for someone, feeding the homeless and clothing the naked (Matthew 25:35). 

- We can praise him with our words by singing to Him, we can share the Gospel and tell others about Christ and his love (Psalm 9:1). Even prayer is a form of worship! 

- Music is another way we can worship God. Words don't even have to be sung. If you play an instrument, playing songs that uplift the name of God. 

- Reading your Bible and spending time with God shows Him that you want to be with Him! 

- Tithing is a way to give back to God and show Him you're grateful, you can bless Him too. 

- Serving others and putting their needs above your own is another way you can honour God and worship Him. 

- Our lives are a gift and if we dedicate them to God and His will, God can use us in remarkable ways. Living a life of purpose is pleasing to God! 

"God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son."  - Jerry Bridges 

Sadly, this concludes our Love Series, but we hope you were able to be touched, spoken to and/or helped through learning about different relationships and the ways we can love ourselves, our families, our friends, unbelievers, fellow Christians, guys and God. 

We pray that God will be with you in all of your relationships. Be blessed and love!! 

~ Taleisha & Meggie