Looking in the Mirror

What does God see when He looks at you?

Written by Yvonne Galindo

Research indicates that 80% women over the age of eighteen who look at themselves in the mirror are unhappy with what they see.When you look in the mirror what do you see?
This is what I saw:
I am a dark Hispanic woman and because of my dark skin growing up I was called the “N” word. My mom would always say “stay out of sun or you’ll get darker”. I also have a pretty unique nose. I was nicked name “Pampa Nose” – didn’t think that word existed but it does. Pampa means ‘plain”. I am far from plain that’s for sure! For years I hated going out in the sun and hated my nose. I basically hated everything about myself. Parents are the prime shapers during the growing period of lives. Growing up, my mother spoke things to me that made me question the way I looked. Looking back, I believe in my heart she in no way meant to harm me. She was naïve to the fact that I was created by the Almighty.
According to His Word in Psalms 139: 13 “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking”!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made! That amazes me! From the time of conception, I was created in the image of His beauty. WOW! We must recognize that schools, churches, society, and our peers also play an important role in our identity. Be wise and surround yourself with those that will encourage, declare and affirm all that God has for you.
Viola Davis from the movie “The Help’ said it best telling this young child “You is kind, You is Smart, You is Important”. All we hear on television and read about in magazines is about self-image. The key is NOT to work on your self-image but to work on your character from the inside – out! There is a song from Hillsong United which one of the verses states Consume me from the inside out, Lord! We as women continually judge ourselves by what we see, how we look, what we wear and fall short. I recently struggled with my weight and went through a rough patch. Well that didn’t last! Why because I know better. I changed my attitude about things. (self-control) When we allow God to invade us with his love, kindness, courage and beauty when we see ourselves in the mirror we will not see what the world says we should be but we will see who God says we ARE!.
Remember working on YOU from the inside out; will manifest externally. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. God is your Health Spa; he will redeem, restore and rejuvenate. Don’t ever forget that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalms 139: 14
Declare and Affirm
“I like myself”
“I am a positive person and I create a positive life”
“I am a wonderful person of immense value who deserves to be loved”

For More from Yvonne Galindo, please visit her blog.
 

 
 
 

Choices

Insights into a solid Marriage

Written by: Yvonne Galindo

I wanted to share my thoughts on intimacy in marriage. I am not talking about sex; that’s not all that makes a marriage. First let’s start with the definition of intimacy; togetherness, affinity, friendship, affection and warmth. That all sounds wonderful, right! It can be. Just know that the most important part of your relationship with your husband is communication. If you have communication than you have a friend in your husband and everything else will follow. I say this because friendship is a big part of an emotional bond and closeness that both can share. You should be able to share just about anything with your spouse in spite of your differences. Married now five years; I have come to a new prospective on marriage and relationships Am I an expert? Far from it. But I will say my husband and I are the best of friends. We have our differences and I can be very opinionated at times, ok all the time. I will say it makes for good conversation and I love it; the best part is we work through those differences. My stubbornness and opinions may have to do with my independence for many years. I know that’s no excuse! Anytime there is disagreement, he will always quote a poem by Howard Simon “Choose the (your) mountain” he is such a philosopher! Well I know a little about climbing so I decide not to choose any mountain because it takes too much time and sweat to climb. Meaning disagreeing all the time can become more of emotional burden. We have learned and have grown from those differences and sometimes accept those small imperfections.

I have heard people say you can agree to disagree; I don’t buy it. That just means nothing is ever resolved. Just my opinion! There is so much more I can write on marriage & romance etc. The photo on your left tells a story of choices, it shows a box of wedding rings from married couples that were not given a choice during the Holocaust. “Food for thought.” Let me just end with this: when I look in the mirror I see my flaws, but when my husband looks at me he sees God’s Grace. Now I wrote this to point out the one thing we do agree on is our faith in Jesus Christ. We have developed a deeper relationship & togetherness through prayer and knowing who we are in Christ. We never pray for one’s own agenda; we always pray for the solution never the problem. We laugh, we cry, and yes disagree. I think the key here is to accept the one you love and all their imperfections whatever they may be, and don’t try to change each other.
Note for the single ladies
During the years of my single life I had a lot of time to figure out who I am and most of all learn to love myself. That’s very important in a marriage; there are so many women who are not confident in who they are and become very insecure. If you can be confident in who you are then you can feel comfortable with the one you love.

For more from Yvonne Galindo, please visit her blog.