Today, July 26, 2023, I was set free from a negative body image I’ve dealt with all my life. When I received this picture from my dear sister in Christ, Kathi Frye (taken at Jesus Culture Sacramento), I immediately said to myself, “you look like an old, fat lady with a perm!”

Was I smiling? YES! Do I enjoy greeting people at Jesus Culture? YES!

I love people and enjoy meeting and greeting people with a smile; possibly being that first impression or representation of the love of God. Sometimes I see the broken hearted, hurting, precious ones walking through the doors. Many are looking for hope and an answer to life’s challenges. If I’m hurting inside, it will only be a mask they see. When I realized how I saw myself, how could I honestly help or love others unconditionally when I was unloving and judging myself.

Mark 12:30 – 31 “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

With the prayer support of my adopted sister, Pattie, we addressed that “little girl (me)” who had been judged and taunted for being overweight. [“Fatty, fatty, two by four; can’t get through the bathroom door . . . .” It’s actually on the internet. ]

We released “her” to appreciate how God made “her” and uses “her”. She looks just like “her” Father (don’t you think?). The very spitting image! [Genesis 1:26 – We, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) will make them after our image and likeness.]

Can you see Him in “her”? Do you see Him in yourself?

She is the delight of “her” Father. Created to have intimacy with Him in a physical body that was created to host both soul (mind, will and emotions) and spirit where only they exist as one (thank you Julie Miller AFF). God invites us through the cross to be one with Him. It’s not size, mental intellect, or any external attributes that make us acceptable. We are created by Him, unique and perfect in His eyes, accepted by Him. John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Ephesians 1:3-6 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

I invite you to do a “heart check” and look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see? What do you want to say about yourself that no one else can hear but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit? How would you describe yourself? Are you saying what God says about you or what the world or others have told you?

God loves you. Like me, you may not realize the judgments you have placed on yourself until you are confronted with them through “sudden” thoughts or memories.

I invite you to pray with me:

“Father, I have judged myself (physically? emotionally? spiritually? mentally?) as being deficient and not measuring up to a standard that was set for me or that I perceived myself to be.

I give you my life and thank you that you accept me just the way I am. I invite you to be not just a guest in my house (mind), but the partner who talks with me in my thoughts, encourages me, challenges me, stays in conversation with me even when I want to quit. I can only love you, because you first loved me. Teach me how to receive that unconditional love. Amen”

As a side note: I shared this with Kathi and this was her response:

“Thank you for sharing. When I saw this picture of you the words that came to mind: Unconditional love, Kindness, Compassion, Welcoming, Jesus heart, Inspiring, Faithful, Strong, Beautiful.

I am glad you are able to see what truly is in the picture and break old lies off – because it is an amazing reflection of our Father right there!!!”