Dear Daughter of Eve,
You carry the seed of life in you. You are muscle and mind and heart. You walk with the calm of the hills. There is beauty in your gait, in the way you hold your shoulders, in your bending to hold a child close, in your rising for those who are mistreated.
You are womb-an. Woman. You create with every breath, and there is no shame in your sexuality, in your curves, in the way your heart beats for home and I long for you to be set free.
Free to love yourself the way your Creator does, the way your children do, the way your man does – the one who vowed till death do us part – and I long for you to embrace your wounds and your pain and then, let it all fly. Like one of those sparrows whom the Lord sees, let it fly.
You gave birth to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to Leah and Rachel and Mary; you gave birth to Billy Graham and Shane Claiborne and Philip Yancey, to Mother Theresa and Madeleine L’Engle and Margaret Thatcher. You are She whose body gave way so another could run and dance. Whose voice was silenced so another could speak and sing.
We are more than our mistakes and you’ve been carrying yours since the days of creation when the first of us took that fruit and disobeyed her Maker. When she tried to take control because she was convinced God didn’t love her.
And since then we’ve been hurting because we don’t believe we are loved. Or lovable. Or loving enough.
All we do is feel guilty and then we take it out on our bodies. We eat Twinkies and over-exercise and then, pints of ice cream and hang over a toilet and we drink too much wine and we don’t laugh nearly enough.
And we’re always doubting the way our loved ones look at us because we can’t believe they would find beauty there. We think they’re looking at our faults, and “Remember that I love you,” my husband is always saying. “Everything I do and say is out of my love for you.”
We would die for others, though. We are up all hours of the night nursing our children and giving love to our husbands and rising early to pack lunches and do load after load of laundry. We are martyrs who hate themselves and it’s time, daughter.
It’s time to awaken your soul. It’s time to put on some lipstick and go dancing.
You are the right shape, the right size, the right build because you are YOU. Your hair is perfect because it is yours and your waist and your thighs, too.
I commission you, then, to rise and be a woman. Be all that a woman can be. Take joy in your femininity, in your uniqueness. God created male and female and you, friend, have a specific job to do.
So go on and love yourself so that you can love others with an everlasting, full-hearted, spirited kind of love that laughs long and cries hard and wraps its arms tight around the world.
With all my heart,
One of your own,
Emily.
***
Friends, I am a former anorexic who has written a book, along with Dr. Dena Cabrera, called Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty and Life After Pregnancy, which celebrates our femininity and our strength as women, while teaching us how to LOVE ourselves so we can, in turn, love our husbands and our children.
I’m excited to give away FOUR HARD COPIES this week, so please leave a comment below on what you love about YOUR body and we will choose a random winner.
Otherwise, you can pick up your own copy of the book HERE or at any Barnes and Noble bookstore. (For the book trailer, endorsements and sample chapters, please visit the official book website HERE)
Emily Wierenga is an artist, blogger, journalist and the author of Chasing Silhouettes and Mom in the Mirror. She blogs regularly at www.emilywierenga.com. You can also connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Etsy.
Barbie says
So beautiful. Really touched my heart. I guess the thing I love most about my body are my eyes. 🙂 Thanks for offering the giveaway!
EmilyW says
appreciate you sharing, Barbie! Bless you, e.
Elizabeth says
Great post, friend. I love my feet and my legs, that at age 56 can still run and dance and jump rope!
EmilyW says
LOVE that you still jump rope, friend!
Abigail says
I love my height… at 5’11” I might be hitting my head on things and constantly wearing too-short pants, but I can spike a volleyball and see to the front of a crowd with the best of them! 😉
EmilyW says
LOVE it!! Thank you for sharing, Abigail!
Kristi says
I love my curves. Thanks for the post. It’s inspiring and encouraging!
EmilyW says
Appreciate you, Kristi. You’re so welcome friend. e.
Doris Diamond Spangler says
I am a 7I year old lady[will be in oct] and the reason i love my body is that I can
still move very well and do things that a forty year can’t do. I praise the Lord
for this. I teach three to four Spin classes a week to people in their thirties. I ride
a bike one hundred miles a week. This i can do in three days. I teach Pilaties and
train people to move their bodies. Never give up and move every day at something.
I still run 5k’s and 10k’s. The Lord has Blessed me greatly. I could do nothing with
out Him.
A very Blessed body,
Doris
.
EmilyW says
That’s amazing Doris! Truly God has blessed you… e.
Carol says
I love my hair and eyes and the fact that I can laugh easily! I LOVED your post and thanks for always being so uplifting to women everywhere 🙂
EmilyW says
oh Carol, thank you for your encouragement! I love that you can laugh easily… what a gift. Bless you, e.
Sandy says
I love my smile. It brings out the smile in others.
EmilyW says
So good, Sandy. e.
va says
I love about my body that even after I have mistreated it that it still is functional.
EmilyW says
Amen. Sometimes it brings me to tears, how gracious my body is, how forgiving. Great answer friend. e.
Tyra says
I love my high cheekb
Tyra says
ones and the work my body can do.
EmilyW says
Awesome, Tyra, thank you so much for sharing! e.
Teri Crowder says
My hands…to go forth & do the work that the LORD calls me to do. Thanks for the wonderful book offer.
EmilyW says
I love how you use your hands for God’s work, Teri! Bless you. e.
Kylie says
I would have to say that i love my ears mostly because without them I would have no where to hang my glasses so I can see my hubby, our children or the gorgeous sunsets everyday. Thank you for writing a book that needed to be desperately written.
EmilyW says
oh Kylie I LOVE this answer. Your heart is full of grace and beauty. Bless you, e.
Linda says
I love my arms from shoulder to fingertips my shoulders hold the weight of my family, my arms hold and hug the ones I love and others who need a hug, and my hands so I can hold the hand of a child or a friend and my fingers so I can quilt and write this post but mostly my hands can join together as I pray.
EmilyW says
what an incredible gift our hands are… everything from sewing to praying… and there is SUCH power in prayer. So appreciate this friend. thank you, e.
Rachel R. says
I love my eyes.
EmilyW says
Thank you for sharing Rachel! The eyes are windows to the soul… Bless you, e.
Cheri says
The “what do you love about your body” question is the hardest for me. I guess my long legs are ok sometimes- they let me run, which is one of the few times I’m able to shut my mind off & just go!
EmilyW says
I love to run too, Cheri. Praying God will open your eyes to the beauty that is YOU. In Him, e.
Amy says
Thank you for the touching post. I like the shape of my lips, and also the shape and size of my toes.
EmilyW says
LOVE this… that you like the shape (and size) of your toes especially! So great! e.
Katy says
I need this book. It’s a little weird, but I love my feet!
EmilyW says
I get this, Katy. I mean, feet are pretty important… they carry us wherever we need to go! Bless you, e.
Mel says
What a beautiful reminder for us all! Thank you! I love my hair. Haha, does that count?
EmilyW says
Hair definitely counts Mel! thank you for sharing 🙂
Anna Shura says
My favourite thing about my body is the strength in my arms and legs. I love how I can run at. 215lbs. and my legs carry my body and are strong as I dance in the kitchen to my favourite music.. I am strong! I carry books, clean house, and hug many little first graders everyday. I have cradled babes, chopped wood and hauled suitcases to Kenya. I am beginning to love myself and thank God for my body and actually mean it!
EmilyW says
Oh, just REJOICING over here over the joy in your voice and the love that you’re discovering for yourself! I understand completely. Bless you friend! e.
Erica says
I am starting to workout with weights and I love when I see a muscle here or there growing.
EmilyW says
Yes! Those firstfruits of caring for ourselves… always so stunning and beautiful 🙂
Sarah Storm says
After continuing to battle Epilepsy, I’m thankful to Lord allows me to use the muscles in my legs to run.
EmilyW says
what a powerful story you have sarah! thank you so much for sharing… e.
Tristi says
It takes some thought to think about something I love about my body but my mind went to my legs immediately. They are long and strong and no matter what other criticisms I throw out about my body, my legs (and even my arms – they’re just naturally thin – even if the rest of me isn’t) keep me balanced. 🙂
EmilyW says
a very thoughtful answer, dear Tristi–thank you! e.
Karmen M. says
I love my eyes that see beauty where some might miss it.
I love my hands that type words that long to be written.
I love my ears, because they are really quite smashing.
I love my hips because they do so well at baby carrying.
I love my shoulders because they hold the burdens.
I love my heart because it can ache for others too.
EmilyW says
an incredible response Karmen… thank you for this poem. bless you girl, e.
Cheryl says
I’ve lost 118 lbs (so far) and I REALLY Love my shoulders!!! They are so beautiful to me. 🙂
EmilyW says
oh wow Cheryl! so long as you are taking care of yourself while you lose the weight, i say brava sister! bless you, e.
Teish says
This may sound strange, but I actually like the stretch marks on my stomach. I earned those through four pregnancies! That’s the only “flaw” that I don’t mind. They are a constant reminder that four amazing kiddos spent the first bit of their life close to my heart.
EmilyW says
it doesn’t sound strange to me at all, Teish… stretchmarks are lines of valor and courage, testifying to the greatest beauty a woman can create.
Ro elliott says
So proud of you Em….love ya
EmilyW says
(oh Ro–what a treat to find this here. thank you friend. thank you. xoxo)
M says
I have fallen in love with my smile. It may sound weird but let me explain. 🙂 My almost three month old baby girl smiles and her whole face smiles with her. It truly makes my heart melt. My husband has been telling me since we were dating that my smile does the same thing, but now seeing this attribute of mine passed onto her, I truly believe it.
EmilyW says
oh, i love this!!! our children teach us so much, don’t they? e.
Erika says
I love the parts of me that grow and feed my babies and I love my runner legs.
EmilyW says
i love that you love more than one thing about yourself erika! that’s truly rare and wonderful!
Catherine O. says
Thanks for the opportunity and the incredible post. My favorite part is my legs that they are still strong and allow me to run.
EmilyW says
catherine, i appreciate your encouragement, friend. i love that your legs allow you to run. it’s one of my favorite past-times too!
Dawn says
I love my feet.
EmilyW says
thank you for sharing dear dawn!
Jennifer says
Embracing the gray as my crown of glory……God as my designer colourist!!!
EmilyW says
yes!!! gray is wisdom is glory! e.
Becky J says
What a blessing these words were..I guess I love my hands-especially when they show tenderness, gentleness and strength as they minister to others in love-HIS love! thanks!!
EmilyW says
I’m so grateful they spoke to you Becky… i love how your hands show His love. bless you friend. e.
Joanne Viola says
I think I would say my smile. I have been told that it makes others smile.
EmilyW says
what a gift, joanne! there’s nothing like a warm, friendly smile! e.
Beth s says
I love my lips and smile! Thanks for the giveaway!
EmilyW says
you’re so welcome dear Beth!
Leyla says
What I love about my body: Growing up I secretly liked my legs and almost everything else. In my 30s almost 40s now and happily married I realize it is now when I really get to finally feel comfortable in my own skin and appreciate all of who I am.
EmilyW says
this gives me such hope, Leyla… i love this perspective… the older we get, the more comfortable we become in our own skin. love it.
Jacci says
I love my legs! They are so strong and at 54 they still carry me up into the mountains each morning with my honey and my dog.
EmilyW says
wow! so jealous you live near the mountains friend! love this, thank you…
Elaine says
Oh, my word. So much truth in this – and as someone who hates to look in the mirror, that’s saying something! I love my eyes, but not my thighs.
EmilyW says
I’m so glad it spoke to you Elaine. I pray that one day you will LOVE looking in the mirror!! You reflect him, friend. So much love, e.
Jenny says
I love my smile! It’s big and wide and toothy and hands down my best feature, even if it is a little crooked. 🙂
EmilyW says
SO great Jenny! I appreciate how fondly you speak of your smile 🙂 You bless me. e.
Nancy Blanco says
I love my right foot because it saved my life 11 years ago when I fell through the attic onto the garage floor.
EmilyW says
Wow Nancy, what a unique answer! I’m so grateful to your right foot for saving you!
Bridget K says
I love that I am in control of my body – making choices of what and when to eat; I also specifically like my smile and my hands {which are there to help others}.
EmilyW says
Thank you so much for sharing Bridget! e.
Christena says
What a powerful post! Thank you so much for those words, they truly touched my soul. My favorite part of my body are my eyes. They look exactly like my father’s and remind me every day what a kind hearted, gentle spirit he is and how I want to be that too.
EmilyW says
oh Christena, what a moving response… thank you. I love how you have your father’s eyes. e.
April says
This was so about me! But I do love my hands. I’m not quite sure why completely, but I love them and most of the time, I even love my eyes 🙂
EmilyW says
So great April! Love often cannot be explained… it just is 🙂 Bless you girl, e.
Heidi Fuller says
The thing I love most about my body is my strength…. and the more I repeat to my infant daughter who stunningly beautiful she is, the more I remind myself that it is the young women who relate to what their body is *capable* of …. strength… love… creation… who are least vulnerable to problems with self-image. So I tell her she is ridiculously cute… then I tell her she is strong. And anyone who should dare to disagree, just doesn’t know her yet.
Check out this poem by Sarah Kay… it’s a favorite of mine since my daughter was born:
http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_kay_if_i_should_have_a_daughter.html
EmilyW says
what a good mama you are! and i LOVE that poem by Sarah Kay… thank you for introducing me to her! e.
Helen G. says
Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder. I do like my eyes and my hair 🙂
EmilyW says
i’m so glad the post spoke to you Helen! bless you, e.
Corinne says
I really needed this post! Thank you! I don’t love
anything about my body or my face for that matter; but,
if I had to choose something I would choose my eyes because
I am so thankful to see and love the beauty that I see in Gods
creation all around me and in others especially my dear hubby!
Corinne
EmilyW says
oh Corinne, thank you for your transparency. praying the Lord shows you how beautiful HE thinks you are. bless you, e.
Leah yates says
My eyes and nose.
EmilyW says
awesome! thanks for sharing leah!
Jayde w. says
Thanks so much for speaking truth, I really needed to read that today. So encouraging! My favorite part of my body is probably my shoulders as weird as that is haha.
EmilyW says
i’m so glad it spoke to you jayde! and i love that you love your shoulders 🙂 e.
Teresa says
I like my hair, my little feet with high arches, and the fact that my body could give birth! Most days I like my curves, and my husband likes them too.
EmilyW says
what a wonderful answer Teresa! i love that you love multiple things about yourself. bless you, e.
Beth says
Thank you for the great reminders!
I love my stretch marks….I know it is weird and they aren’t meant to be seen or flaunted….but they remind me of the babies that God allowed me to carry and to love.
EmilyW says
I love my stretch marks too friend. I don’t think it’s weird at all. e.
Gretchen Louise says
Oh, this is beautiful. I needed these reminders on a Monday morning!
I am thankful for my curls…they express my personality, and they don’t need different care or clothes based on my weight fluctuations! 😉
EmilyW says
Dearest Gretchen, I love your curls too! Thank you for being such an incredible support. Bless you friend, e.
mil-san says
thank God for your encouragement and for the boldness but gentle way you bring out the loveliness in ourselves.
the best thing i like in me is when i am able to encourage and assist an elder person as i know i am lacking in many ways. i may not have the best shoulder or back to lean on, but still able to help them in my own little way. so, i still treasure my health- my shoulder and my hands are important to me.
EmilyW says
you are definitely an encourager, friend. thank you so much. may you be blessed. e.
Paula Davies says
Hi! I never loved my body growing up….But as a now 58 year old woman things have changed. I look like my grandmother and father. I am proud of that. I love my eyes, mouth, hair and have learned to at least like my Russian nose. It is part of who I am. My body is short and stout. I have a layer of fat on it. But, I know that this is who I am. I do have the power to change some things, but mostly I am content. I take care of my Mother 3 times a week and enjoy keeping her spirits up with my sarcastic wit…I love to make her laugh. My daughter is staying with me, temporarily with her little family of husband and two little boys. She is about to have a third baby, a girl! I know this book would be helpful for not only me, but also her.
Emily B. says
Well, right now, I’m 8.5 months pregnant and really love my baby bump (okay, beach ball). But prior to that, I loved my legs and I pray the swelling goes away!
EmilyW says
oh, i miss my baby bump! treasure these days, friend. they are precious…
Elaine says
I guess I have always enjoyed being 5′. I can fit in a lot of tight places. I love that I got my Daddy’s cleft in my chin and get to see it in my son and grandson. Kudos for stepping out into this area with your book! It is greatly needed. 🙂
EmilyW says
oh Elaine, i LOVE this answer… everything from fitting into a lot of tight places to your Daddy’s cleft in your chin. beautiful. e.
Marilyn says
What an encouraging read that penetrated to the inner most of my being. How much did I long and needed to hear this today. The part I love about my body is my neck because it displays a scar that reminds me to be thankful for everyday I breath and I m alive.
EmilyW says
i’m so glad it ministered to you, marilyn… i love the scar reminding you that you are alive… what a gift.
julie says
I love my eyes & lips. I get many compliments on my eyes. The Lord has given my daughter my lips and that makes me smile!:)
EmilyW says
What a gift to see your attributes in your daughter, Julie! Bless you. e.
Emilee says
Wow…thank you! I love how my body tells a story…of love and of birthing two beautiful girls 🙂
EmilyW says
what a beautiful way of putting it emilee: “how my body tells a story”… love this. thank you. e.
karyn says
I was an anorexic as well and my weight dropped down to 100 and it was going down like a ton of bricks. It took 10 years to bring the weight back up to 112, so, I don’t do diets. Then in my forties it dropped back down to 105, so, I’m ever in danger of regressing. I’m fat now but fearful of diets. I don’t do diets. This is why.
EmilyW says
i’m proud of you, friend, for not doing diets. i don’t do them either. we have to protect ourselves, right? good on you for taking care of yourself.
Mary Beth says
I love my eyes, and my ankles – the rest in between I try to overlook
EmilyW says
lol… well, it’s a start! i’m so glad you like those two aspects of your body at least, friend! thanks for your honesty. e.
Peggy says
My curves have changed over the years – they have widened, but I can embrace them. I have always loved my eyes – they are big and green.
EmilyW says
what a beautiful perspective of your curves, dear peggy! love it. thank you for sharing. e.
Nadine says
Wow, what a great post & necessary book! (Am wishing I hadn’t succumbed to the cookies on the markdown shelf at Kroger this morning.) I think lipstick is important, too! And I like my arms.
EmilyW says
lol… i LOVE your honesty Nadine! it’s so refreshing. we all have bad days, but so long as we keep trying to care for ourselves and love on ourselves, that is what counts. so glad you like your arms!
Noelani says
I recently delivered our second child, via c-section. For awhile there, the scar was getting to me .. but now? Now it’s one of my secret favorite things about my body. It’s a reminder that God is good, soo very very good. He blessed us with a second child. Her life is far more important than a scar across my belly. 🙂
EmilyW says
YES! Amen Noelani! I love this so much. e.
julie says
I love that my body grows healthy babies.
EmilyW says
SUCH a gift, Julie… Bless you, e.
Jill says
I love my wrinkles because they remind me that I have lived and that I smile! :). I also love my sagging breasts because they nourished four beautiful children!
EmilyW says
So beautiful, Jill… yes. Our bodies are emblems of servanthood and life. Bless you, e.
Megan Eccles says
I love that my body nourishes and grows healthy, beautiful babies in the space beneath my heart.
EmilyW says
oh Megan, i love this: “in the space beneath my heart.” i hadn’t thought of the womb in this way before. bless you, e.
Leslie says
I love the natural confidence that I carry regardless of what I’m looking like. (Thanks, Mom & Dad.). And my smile.
EmilyW says
i love how you thank your mom and dad in this leslie! it’s true, self-confidence starts at home. what a blessing! e.
Diana C says
I love how everyone’s body is different than the next. I love how my body was created to carry, nurture, and love my child and how it gives me what I need to show love to others.
EmilyW says
amen friend. i love this too. beautifully said! e.
Tina Evans says
When I reading your words it was like you were peaking into my heart and soul. Thank you. To answer your question: I believe the first thing you have to love is your inner self, your heart, your mind, your soul. That is what I love the most about me. <3
EmilyW says
Dear Tina, I’m SO glad it spoke to you friend. That really blesses me. Have a wonderful day! e.
Jen says
Thank you for these encouraging words. I have a hard time with the question also, but if forced to choose, I love my shoulders.
EmilyW says
I’m so glad you like your shoulders Jen 🙂 May you be encouraged friend. e.
Cathy Tovarez says
Thank you for the chance to win. It has taken me some time to love this about myself but it is my belly. I would always think I was overweight and who could love me. I gave birth to two lovely girls and they are the reason my belly is perfect as it is.
EmilyW says
This makes me want to cry Cathy. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing and for loving your belly!
Jacqueline Nolan says
Oh Emily this has stirred my soul. Love you! I love: ”It’s time to awaken your soul. It’s time to put on some lipstick and go dancing.” I love my body as a whole, loved and cherished by our beautiful Creator..
EmilyW says
I’m so grateful it spoke to you, dear Jacqueline! Bless you, e.
Hillary says
This post was just what I needed to read today and so eloquently put. Struggling to love myself, but am thankful for my eyes that allow me to take in all the beautiful things God created.
EmilyW says
oh friend, I still struggle to love myself too. But it’s in the struggle that we find the victory I think. Bless you! e.
Laura Brown says
What I love about my body is its ability to continue on when my brain wants to quit. My hands never want to be idle and my heart is always wanting to give true and sensible compliments to women who don’t see all the beauty that they are to me. I love that my body is a carafe to carry goodness with me where ever I go and share it with others when they need it most.
EmilyW says
oh Laura I LOVE this: I love that my body is a carafe to carry goodness with me where ever I go and share it with others when they need it most.
So amazing. Thank you! e.
Meg says
I love my hair 🙂
EmilyW says
Thank you for sharing, Meg! e.
Linda says
Thank you so much for such a wonderful read! Very encouraging 🙂
What I love most about my body is my eyes; no matter what the circumstance or feeling (even one I might be trying to hide), my eyes always tell the truth. Even when it’s a challenge to find words, sometimes a look is the only communication that’s needed. And eyes are said to be the window to a person’s soul; I hope my eyes radiate peace and love!
EmilyW says
Oh Linda, beautifully put! I hope my eyes radiate peace and love too! Thank you for sharing. e.
Dorcas says
I love my long gray hair!
EmilyW says
That’s awesome Dorcas! I love it! e.
Patty says
I have always hated my body. I swallowed my Mother’s words of ” too short, too fat, too curly, not feminine, too loud, etc..” those things swallowed became my very bones and flesh, and I despise them. I quit trying, since I can never measure up. That is what happens when there is no hope. Despite my husband always telling me I am pretty, despite the unconditional love of my Grandboys, the poisoned flesh and bones haunt me.
EmilyW says
oh, my dear Patty… this reminds me of my Nanny. She was never able to believe it either, in spite of her husband telling her over and over how beautiful she was… I’m so desperately sorry for the damage your mother did. And I am praying that God will somehow give you new eyes to see yourself as he does: remarkable and stunning and loved. e.
Barb says
I love my crows feet…they come from smiling.
EmilyW says
I love my crows feet too Barb! I used to squint my eyes when I was young, trying to make them. Thank you for sharing! e.
AlissaBC says
I love my new mama hips! I’m going to read this one sooner or later!
EmilyW says
Yay Alissa, so happy for you friend! Congrats!
kris petty says
I love my long neck! 🙂
EmilyW says
thanks for sharing kris!! e.
lizzie says
First I was going to say my crazy long legs. Not my saggy belly. But then….I realized that saggy belly with a C section scar across it is PROOF of 4 amazing pregnancies resulting in 4 amazing babies that are now young adults. So I Love My Saggy Belly!
EmilyW says
YES! Wonderful answer Lizzie!!
Patty O says
I found your blog to be incredibly informative and inspiring. Soul searching has been a constant lately after going through multiple health problems this last year. What am I here for? What does God want me to do? And then there’s the weight gain. But now let’s get to the good stuff…I have fantastic and youthful skin, even at age 46. Thanks to the Lord and my use of Lubriderm for the past 28 years!
I do hope I win a copy of your book. My self confidence seems to be running on empty lately.
EmilyW says
So appreciate your encouragement, Patty… Praying that the Lord speaks to you and gives you hope and joy… may he give you eyes to see how beautiful you are, friend. e.
Alisha says
I love my hair. I have struggled with body image since having my first son; a beautiful blue eyes baby. He loves to play with my hair and everytime he does I am reminded that he finds joy in it.
EmilyW says
dear alisha, i understand completely. pregnancy changes our bodies forever. it’s all about learning to accept our new shape–our mother shape. i wrote about it awhile ago in a Letter to Kate Middleton, here, if you’re interested: http://www.emilywierenga.com/2013/07/a-letter-to-kate-middleton-on.html.
Amy says
God blessed me with long legs! I am 5’9″
EmilyW says
Such a gift, Amy! Thank you for sharing. e.
Eileen says
Lots of truth & food for thought in this post.
I love my brown eyes and hair and my olive skin. They are beautiful and they connect me to my strong grandmother & great grandmothers.
EmilyW says
LOVE the lineage that has been passed down through your attributes, Eileen… Bless you! e.
Ellie says
Thank you for this! After kids and cancer, my body looks nothing like it did before!
But I love my ankles, no matter how fluffy I get, they stay skinny!!!!!
Ellie
EmilyW says
Friend, it sounds like you’ve had quite the journey! And your positive attitude is such an encouragement to me. Praise God for ankles! Bless you, e.
martha says
I LOVE ME AND ALL MY CURVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT MY HANDS ARE SMALL BUT THEY ALWAYS ARE OPEN WHEN SOME ONES NEEDS ME TO LEND THEM OUT…. OR HOLD THEIR HAND……THANKS FOR THE BOOK AND TO ALL IT MAY HELP…..
EmilyW says
i love your words here, martha! so encouraged by you. blessings friend. e.
Jennifer says
Everything about your post exalts wives and mothers as the ideal and/or the default lifestyle for all women. The reality is anything but. What about the single woman who does not have the opportunity to be a mother, or the infertile woman–I’m sorry, womb-an–who is reading this?
I am not saying that your words or your message are invalid. However, it would be nice if you could acknowledge the rest of the female population who does not fit your definition of womanhood.
EmilyW says
Dear Jennifer, I’m so sorry that this post hurt you. You are right–there are so many women who struggle with infertility, or who are single, and I by no means meant to degrade them. I myself struggle with infertility, so I have a special place in my heart for that issue. I hoped through this post to show that while we might not all have children or partners, we, as women, are born creators… we are born with the desire to create… and that translates into many forms, not just into biological families/children. I do admit, my message is a bit extreme here because I’ve been so saddened by all of the women who feel they have to be like men. Who feel like being a mom or a wife isn’t enough. It makes my heart ache, and so that, in part, is why I wrote this post, too. To help women realize they ARE enough because Jesus made them that way. And to embrace their femininity, whatever that might look like. Bless you, and thank you for your honesty. e.
Diana says
I love so many things about my body, but I think my favorites are the little scars I’ve gathered over the years. No one else may notice them, but for me, they’re all reminders of a time, place, and experience. It’s like my own private storybook!
EmilyW says
i love this answer diana. it is real and raw and true. bless you! e.
Kelli says
I did not love my body, especially when my daughters where young, but I so want them to love their bodies and especially now that they have daughters. So for my girls and theirs and for me, let us embrace all that God has made us!
EmilyW says
Amen Kelli! I love this attitude! May God give all of us new eyes.
Laurie says
I would have to say I love my legs they are finally long & lean. I’ve lost 90lbs this past year & I can finally take long walks w/hubby & dog & keep up w/a 1 1/2yr old granddaughter. I feel blessed to be making positive changes in my life. Now if I could just know when it’s enough to not obsess about my weight. When is it OK to stop losing. Thanks for your story & your journey.
God Bless
EmilyW says
oh Laurie, I understand that obsession. May God give you guidance and contentment… bless you friend. e.
Leah says
I have been reading your blog for a month or so now, and each time I am struck by the simple truth of your words and have been meaning to say thank you!
I read this and thought “why can’t I be so accepting of my mental flaws as I am of my physical ones?”
I still get a tingle of joy when my 18 month old holds my little finger, so at the moment that is my favourite.
EmilyW says
oh Leah, thank you! That means a lot to me, friend. And I love what you said about your 18-month-old holding your finger… such beauty in those moments. utter, simple, un-tarnished beauty… treasure them girl, always. e.
Rachel says
Beautiful post, thank you for sharing. But what a hard question! i guess my eyes would be my favorite thing about my body.
EmilyW says
it is definitely a hard question… for me, too. Thank you for sharing dear Rachel! Bless you, e.
MB says
One thing I love about my body? That’s a tough one at the moment. I am finding I have haelth issues because I didn’t take care of my body. I have punished it severely. I would say my hair but I just chopped it. :'( My memory is awful now too. I am just not in a good place regarding myself. I can’t stand to look in the mirror. I only do it when absolutely necessary. Self image is something I have battled all my life. So much wasted enerfy towards it.
I am thankful I can still read and stumbled upon this post! Thank you! Thanks for giving us an amazing opportunity to win a book that could help us with something a lot of battle everyday.
I have a beautiful bubbly 6 yr old daughter that I pray keeps her positive self image. That others and myself do not take it away from her!
EmilyW says
I understand this, MB. One thing I’ve learned is to forgive myself. It’s taken years. But it’s also taken a huge load off my mind and heart. Because we are human and God has forgiven us, so who are we not to forgive ourselves? Praying for you, as I know it’s so hard. And for your sweet daughter too! e.
Beth Williams says
What I love about my body is that I can still walk, run and do exercises to tone up other parts that I have abused. I am a healthy 48 yr. old woman and that is awesome in this day and age when so many people have a number of health issues.
Thanks for a great post and for making us look at what’s right with ourselves and stop criticizing ourselves.
God Bless!
EmilyW says
Health is SUCH a blessing isn’t it, Beth? Thank you so much for sharing here today, friend. Peace to you, e.
Ashley L. says
Emily, I love reading your words here! Bless you and thank you for these words of love and God’s seeing power. My favorite thing about me: my eyes and smile. That people would feel seen and loved by me — yes, that would be my hope and desire.
EmilyW says
I LOVE your eyes and your smile Ashley! Love pours out of them! XOXO
maria says
What I like about my body is that the Lord made it and designed it – so I read in Psalm 139 – and that has made all the difference in my being able to be comfortable in the skin I’m in!!
EmilyW says
Psalm 139 is so powerful, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing, friend! e.
Kathy says
I like my eyes. I am able to see God’s creation all around. I also like my hands. I am able to hold a paint brush to paint on canvas what I see around me.
EmilyW says
Beautiful, Kathy! I love this answer! And I love to paint, too! e.
Sara Ella says
All my life I hated being short. Jokes about my 5 foot 2 inch stature were a dime a dozen. And then I got hired to play Alice at Disneyland, my childhood dream. Elohim used that experience to help me see the benefits of being short. My husband loves it too and always calls me “cute”. Now I embrace the jokes and laugh along with people. My size is part of me and I love that my Creator made me this way.
EmilyW says
Sara, what an incredible story! Alice at Disneyland? So cool! Yes, your creator made you this way… and he loves you! Blessings friend, e.
Megan Dixson says
I love this post. Thank you! What do I love about my body? the fact that it so carefully carried my 3 daughters so that I may learn to have them love themselves as fully as I love them.
EmilyW says
LOVE this Megan. May you be blessed. e.
Miranda says
I love that my body was able to carry both of my children and that I was able to feed my youngest from it too
EmilyW says
Such a blessing isn’t it, Miranda? I’m so happy for you friend! e.
Jesse says
i never would have thought one day i could say that there is something i love about myself. it has taken me 20yrs of destroying myself to finally one day begin to learn grace and love with regards myself. the thing i love most about myself is how my story has opened doors for me to speak life into other’s lives who feel hopeless.
EmilyW says
oh Jesse, praising God for the way he’s worked in your life–but aching for all of the pain you’ve gone through. i love how you’re letting him use your story to help others. this is redemption friend. bless you, e.
Carmen says
I’ve always loved my eyes – they’re such a bright blue, people often think I’m wearing tinted contacts.
EmilyW says
so awesome carmen! thank you for sharing!
Lina says
It is a wonderful topic for a book. We do need to stop the “bad mirror image” from hitting each generation. I had sworn I wouldn’t do what my Mom did. She would look in the mirror and actually say “Yuck” and I observed it and internalized it. I didn’t do that but often discussed my looking fat while in the mirror. This my youngest daughter tells me greatly affected her.
Now I can say I love my straight teeth. I finally got braces when I was 18 and it fixed the gap between my teeth which I loathed. I wasn’t impressed that it looked like Lauren Hutton. =)
I am okay with my feet too. My husband has taught me how to embrace my milky white skin tone as well. I am ever grateful for my clear skin as my oldest daughter really struggles with that. Wow, I had four!
Thanks for the question!
Lina
EmilyW says
oh Lina, these are the hard lessons we learn, no? The ones our daughters teach us? I LOVE your vulnerability and transparency here. Thank you for your heart, and the way you are learning to love yourself!!! Bless you, e.
Christyn says
My eyes.
EmilyW says
thank you for sharing Christyn! Bless you, e.
Penny says
What an encouraging writting. I needed to read this today. I love my stretched marks around my tummy reminding me of my 2 beautiful children I ve carried near to my heart.!
EmilyW says
stretchmarks are like maps to our souls… i love mine too penny. thank you so much for sharing! e.
Erin says
My eyes!
EmilyW says
thank you for sharing erin! bless you, e.
Karen says
I love the way my pants fit WAY more now than I ever did in my 30s! 🙂
And, I DO love my dimples that show deep when I smile!
EmilyW says
So awesome Karen! Yay! I always wanted dimples… they really make it seem like the WHOLE face is smiling. Bless you! e.
Shelly Miller says
I’m owning this for myself, I am. I love my legs and feet because they carry me to places of discovery and because they are just the perfect length to make me distinctly the shortest person in my family.
EmilyW says
lol LOVE this shelly! especially “they are just the perfect length to make me distinctly the shortest person in my family.” SO great. 🙂
Nikita says
A beautiful post. We forget this so easily, it’s nice to be reminded regularly.
I have always loved my shoulders. They are strong, a little wider to carry burdens for friends, and beautiful in that. I also love my eyes in recent years. They get more and more like my Nana’s eyes every year and someday I hope to see the same laugh lines and crinkles of a life lived well.
EmilyW says
Nikita, Thank you… This is gorgeous. I love how your eyes get more like your Nana’s each year and how your shoulders carry burdens for your friends. e.
Tammi says
I love my hands. I am thankful for all the Lord allows me to do with them.
EmilyW says
What a beautiful, humble response Tammi! Bless you, e.
Monica says
I guess I’d say that I love my smile because others say that they love it. Seeing others respond to a smile is uplifting. Like you gave a little momentary gift of joy. 🙂
EmilyW says
I totally agree Monica! Thank you for sharing friend! e.
Kimberly Amici says
I am not the only one who is wondering if hair counts. I love my hair, eyes, hands and waist.
EmilyW says
Wow, I LOVE that you have multiple things you love about yourself Kimberly! So encouraging! e.
Mary Mc says
Emily: Thank you so much for this post and for your book. This is such an important issue and what a blessing it is to get a Christian perspective on it. I’m hoping to serve women who are struggling with eating disorders and other crises to lead them to Christ and His saving grace. Thank you for sharing this message.
Mary
EmilyW says
Thank you so much Mary! I love your dream to serve women; let me know if I can ever be of help. Bless you. e.
Michelle Kapelle says
I love that even though the pain would cause me to see only disability, God reminds me that my body is still able. I am thankful for my muscles … both spiritual and physical. Without them I wouldn’t have the strength to move and accomplish all He has in store for me.
emily wierenga says
oh Michelle, what a humble and moving response! Bless you friend. e.
Abigail says
I would love to received a free copy of the book. The thing I love about my body right now, is my belly which is round with new life growing inside it. <3
emily wierenga says
SO happy for you Abigail! New life is such a gift… e.
rjb says
This: “..and we don’t laugh nearly enough.” I love my eyes and smile.. and my daughter’s laugh helped me realize how much I love my own.
emily wierenga says
LOVE this. How your daughter’s laugh helps you realize how much you love your own. Thank you friend, e.
Paula Davies says
I would love a free copy of this book. I would love to give one to my Mother, whom I take care of, and one to my daughter , who is having a baby in 6 weeks and is living with me. I just turned 59 and am with odds with my body… Trying to lose the unwanted pounds is so hard. I take my Mom with me to work out three times a week. It does her good and tires me out. She is in good shape for 82. I am struggling.
emily wierenga says
oh Paula… praying for you… the winners are unfortunately chosen randomly, but this book is available through the library system, and also at Barnes and Noble or online at Amazon. May God give you strength as you pour into others… try to make time for yourself, too. You are worth it.
PS. I have two FREE ebooks available at my blog if that interests you; one is an e-sampler of my book, Chasing Silhouettes: How to help a loved one battling an eating disorder. If you subscribe to my blog you will receive them both immediately in your inbox: http://www.emilywierenga.com.
Stephanie S says
I love my hands and the things I can do with them, from crafting to wiping the tears off my daughters’ cheeks.
emily wierenga says
This moved me greatly Stephanie. Thank you. e.
Phronsie says
What do I love most about my body? Honestly, I don’t know. The question alone makes me tear up… I like my hands. I don’t know that there’s anything I really love though. :-/
emily wierenga says
oh Phronsie… my heart goes out to you friend. May the Lord minister to those weary places within you, and show you how beautiful you are to him. Praying, e.
Donna says
Your post was so timely as I’m hurting with a friend whose daughter is now in her third month of in-patient treatment for anorexia. Even though now retired, I have worked as an educator for many years and have shared with countless young women that the most important “cosmetic” that must be applied to their face every morning is a smile. I would have to say my smile and genuine hearty laugh are my favorite physical traits and have helped get me through even the rough patches of life.
Debra says
Great discussion. I love my strength even though its tough to maintain as I age. Muscle memory is s beautiful thing.
Leah says
Thank you so much for your posts–they’ve been exactly what I’ve needed to read this week.
I guess I would say I love my eyes.
Laura P says
I love my eyes. Seriously dislike the rest of my body until I remind myself that 4 babies have come out of it making it what it is today. Then I like it for about 5 mins. But seriously, I like my body lumps and all most of the time because of what those lumpy bumps represent.
Vickie says
Thanks for this post and giveaway. I guess I like my hair the most because it is naturally curly.
Lacy says
This is beautiful…You are beautiful!
I would say the thing I like best about myself is my eyes – their color and shape and especially those little laugh lines that are starting to appear! 😉
Sheila says
I love the curves on my calves and the shape/size of my feet. I like The way my hair is kind of wavy but not curly (which I used to hate). I also love my height even though people say I’m short- most of the time it’s the perfect height to be!
Amy says
I love my eyes even more now that I have sons and we share the same color. Your story will be an encouragement to many. I saw a friend travel the road of anorexia. Thank God for redemption!
Candra B. says
I love my eyelashes :). I have my daddy’s eyes and eyelashes and I’m so thankful! 🙂
Elizabeth says
I love my body because it is Me and will never be otherwise.
Julie says
this really touched me, and i will be reading and rereading it for a long time. my body is in the habit of surprising me, doing things that i never thought it could. that is what i love most.
emily wierenga says
Thanks so much Julie. I’m so grateful it spoke to you. I love what you said about your body surprising you 🙂 So true. Bless you, e.
jenny martin says
I have trouble choosing–as I am not happy with my body as it is. I would say my eyes.
emily wierenga says
May the Lord help you to see how loved you are, Jenny… Bless you, and thank you for sharing. e.
Deborah says
I love my blue eyes! This book sounds so good.
emily wierenga says
Thank you Deborah! Bless you, e.
Court says
I love my runner’s legs! I feel powerful!
emily wierenga says
Awesome, Court! Thanks for sharing! e.
Lisa says
I love my scars from surgeries to rid the cysts from endometriosis so I could get pregnant twice to 2 beautiful daughters (and a surprise pregnancy w/ my son not causing further scars!).
emily wierenga says
Scars are a testimony to sacrifice, which is true love, friend. Bless you, e.
Abby says
I am pregnant with my 2nd baby, and even though I’m 2 sizes bigger this time, I love my pregnant belly! 🙂
emily wierenga says
Congrats Abby! SO happy for you! e.
Charissa Steyn says
Oh this post hits home for me. Still on a journey to loving the body God has given me. What I love most about my body are my eyes 🙂
emily wierenga says
I’m still on the journey too, dear Charissa. So long as we keep walking… 🙂 Love to you lady. e.
Viki M. says
Oh, oh.
I never liked my legs, silly and short. But then after the babies I started running to reclaim the solitude, and my silly short legs just fire it up when I run hills. That strength, it completely astonished me the first time.
And I am from Europe, dont know if I can enter, but still, I had to join in. What a powerful sharing of beautiful women.
emily wierenga says
Oh Viki, I LOVE this… and your “silly and short” legs! Bless you, e.
Tami says
Honestly, I had to really stop and think about what I loved about my body. I’ve had a few people comment over the years that I have a beautiful smile, and that has always stuck with me. So I would say my smile. But if the inside of my body counts, it would be my brain for the creativity God has given me and my heart for the compassion He allows me to feel for others that are hurting. I know I struggle a lot with body image, but I have 3 beautiful girls whom I want to encourage and be a good example for.
emily wierenga says
I love your heart, Tami. I pray that God gives you a glimpse into how beautiful you are. e.
Kay says
I love my hands…that create and touch and give. Thank you for this post. Like a healing balm to my hurting heart.
emily wierenga says
Oh Kay; praying for you sister. May you know how loved you are… e.
Mel says
I love my eyes they are very expressive.
emily wierenga says
Thanks so much for sharing Mel! e.
F Adeola says
Beautiful piece, God bless
A lot of people find it hard to believe but I love all of me
emily wierenga says
Truly amazing friend! What a gift!
Diana Pauley says
What I love about me is my smile and hugs to everyone. I recently was involved in a serious horse accident-7 broken ribs, broken back, punctured lung and broken wrist. Even through all the pain, I still can greet everyone with a smile and tell them this will past. Give them a hug to let them know, I still can give/receive hugs even though I am broken at the moment.
Diana
emily wierenga says
Oh Diana, this is such grace… I’m so sorry for your pain, but I love how you are making beauty from ashes. Bless you, e.
Patty Muich says
I thought I was the only one who felt this way. Aren’t we silly when we think that? I think I am going to bookmark this and read it everyday.
Love, Patty
emily wierenga says
Thanks so much Patty! What an honor. And no, you are NOT alone friend. Bless you, always, e.
Rachel says
Wow! I, like so many women needed to hear this. I have three young kids, one of which is 7 months old so I have been having several thoughts about my flabby tummy. Then I think how blessed I am to have kids after miscarrying twice and the extra skin is worth it! God is so good! As for what I love about my body it would be the green eyes God gave me.
Grace says
I stumbled across this post and the beautiful writing really spoke to me, especially the theme of body image. I have a small gap between my two front teeth and my teeth aren’t perfectly straight. I didn’t get braces when I was a child because I refused to have them! Although it didn’t bother me in the past I have been feeling insecure about my teeth over the past year or so. I am actually going to see the orthodontist this week about getting adult braces. But even if I decide not to, I try to remind myself that I am not judged by my smile. It is part of me, even though I sometimes feel self-conscious about it.
Thanks for this article.
Sarah says
Thank you so much for this! I have struggled with insecurities my whole life and even reading these comments makes me wish I could love this or that…I know one day I will be comfortable in the skin The Lord has blessed me with! For now, I love the part of me that has fed and kept my babies alive. I feel so empowered that I alone did that, I helped create and feed three cute chubby babies!
Lis says
I love that my body has carried and birthed my baby boy.
emily says
Thank you for your post…really appreciate the heart of it! Hmm…what do I love about myself? The color of my eyes–they are very golden like a cat’s! Also I have this one crooked tooth that I wanted changed growing up–but now I love my natural smile. I struggle daily with crippling pain/fatigue due to disability. So to be honest–most days I struggle pretty hard with my body love–above and beyond the usual critical eye from decades of emotional/physical/sexual abuse…it’s been hard getting comfortable in my skin! There are terrible scars…but I’m growing to love them. Somedays I am even proud. It’s like, “I SURVIVED that!!!! And I can STILL laugh and smile and sing and take in the beauty of God’s world and commune with Him! So take THAT satan!!!!” My body tells a brutal story…but it also tells the story of a young woman with a warrior’s heart–who would NOT stop running hard after God–no matter how many times the wind got knocked out of me. I think I love that most–the warrior heart that beats within my chest.
Allie says
Thank you.