Beautifully Broken
How do we ever truly feel beautiful in our own skin when facing cultural beauty standards that seem impossible to obtain? There is always advertising in our faces for bigger and better things, for the idealized bodies that celebrities and models have, and the constant reminder of what an awesome life everyone has through our phone screens. Even though the idealized beauty standards often include digitally altered photos or filters and all the new and trending styles, the flawless hair and makeup and life of glamour, it’s not really that simple and rarely comes naturally. Yet these things still lead us to compare ourselves and feel insecure.
Having a progressive nerve disorder throughout my life has brought an assault against my beauty, as I felt like a big part of how I looked was immediately put into the ugly and undesirable category. Having a disability isn’t exactly a sought-after trait that anyone wants to have. Though disabilities come in various forms, my extra equipment of a walker or wheelchair and bulky leg braces are part of a packaged deal that I never asked for.
Ironically, for anything to change my view of beauty, it’s been this: my disability.
Having a disability has challenged me to think outside the box and create my own path. It has opened my eyes to see into people as hearts more than what is seen on the outside.
As I share in my upcoming book, Doubtless:
"Beauty is the strength I see in women who carry themselves well, despite the suffering they have endured.
Beauty is uniqueness and aspects about someone or something that are special or rare.
Beauty is birthed when scars are embraced and weaknesses become strengths.
Beauty is out of the ordinary and refreshing, with spunky characteristics or attributes that inspire awe and wonder.
Beauty is all around us in an array of forms, yet not many take the time to truly appreciate or recognize it.”
After years of feeling hidden, struggling to like myself and accept what I couldn’t change, the Lord has brought me through a transformational journey of truly embracing the beauty He has bestowed upon me by helping me love how He has used this disability to strengthen me and be bold and confident despite any challenges.
We all have brokenness and things that we wish we could change.
But what if what makes us different is actually an opportunity that launches us into our calling and into greater things? Maybe the thing about us that we think is broken is actually what makes us the most beautiful.