Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

{Semi} Wordless Wednesday

Blessed ♥

Did you ever just get an overwhelming feeling of being blessed in a God-given happiness sort of way? The kind that when you can close your eyes, breathe in and feel yourself fill up and overflow with blessings. The kind where you think of everyone in your life, everything you have in your life and where your life is headed and you just sit in awe, tears hanging in your eyes. I adore days like this, I feel like they are such a gift from God.

This type of joy comes from memories and reminders of blessings, not riches or abundance.  As I get older, I’m realizing just what blessings God has given me in my life. Joy is my choice. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, second only to love, it flows from God, not circumstances.
I may not be perfect BUT God loves me!
I may not have a bucket-load of friends BUT but I have a handful of amazing ones!
I may not be rich, have a first-class house or expensive cars BUT I’m super rich in love!
I may not be thin BUT my husband sure does love me just as I am!
I may not have a big paying job BUT I feel I have the best one ever!
I may not live close to any stores BUT I love my little small town, USA!
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Secret Keeper {Book Review}

Secret Keeper
The Delicate Power of Modesty
by Dannah Gresh

About the book:

We live in the age of low-rise jeans, belly-button rings, and backless shirts. Many girls and young women today could not even define the word modesty, let alone tell you how to live it out. Teen girls often ask:

Why can’t I wear what everyone else is wearing? My parents are hung up on their old sense of fashion. Times have changed, why can’t I? Isn’t is really the guy’s problem if he is tempted?

In a fresh and trusted voice, Dannah Gresh has a new message for them: modesty itself is a delicate yet formidable power. In Secret Keeper, she teaches that modesty not only issues a challenge for one man to romantically earn your virtue, but it also expresses your love for and obedience to God.

If you’ve read this blog for very long, you know I’m a promoter of modesty. I think modesty is not just an important trait to instill in our daughters, but to also reflect ourselves. God gave us, as women, the gift of softness, femininity and beauty. It’s our responsibility to convey those without conveying our sexuality. Allow your appearance to reflect your pure and virtuous heart. Know your worth and reflect it on the outside. Your body is a gift from God, honor it as such. I love this quote by Jessica Rey “Modesty isn’t about hiding ourselves, it’s about revealing our dignity”.

Our girls being exposed to Cosmo magazines in nearly every checkout line, this publication has steadily declined into a full-on pornographic ‘how to’ guide for teens and vulnerable young girls. Victoria’s Secret now targets 18-24 year-olds with the PINK line. Nearly every popular clothing line has low rise jeans, crop tops and plunging necklines. The need for a clear voice on modesty has never been greater. In this book, teen and twenty-something young women are given actual pictures and examples of modern clothing.

Dannah’s approach to explaining the critical nature of modest is both cool and relevant. The photos will also show the girls how to take the ‘Truth or Bare Fashion Tests.’ In essence, this will provide concrete, ‘how-to’ modest dressing skills. Secret Keeper is a great mother and daughter book.    

I was given this book by Moody Publishers for the purpose of this review.