I love this. I’ve been struggling with my postpartum body recently and this is very helpful.
It reminded me of an anecdote I heard recently about Vincent Van Gogh (copied from Wikipedia here and slightly edited for language): “When Van Gogh was required to draw the Venus de Milo during a drawing class, he produced the limbless, naked torso of a Flemish peasant woman. Siberdt regarded this as defiance against his artistic guidance and made corrections to Van Gogh's drawing with his crayon so vigorously that he tore the paper. Van Gogh then flew into a violent rage and shouted at Siberdt: 'You clearly do not know what a young woman is like, G—d— it! A woman must have hips, buttocks, a pelvis in which she can carry a baby!'”
May we all be so passionate about the function of the female form.
I think about this a lot as my belly looks and feels like focaccia dough before it goes in the oven, lol. It's been very nice, after a lifetime of obsessing and tummy-consciousness, to finally be at a place of neutrality.
I also think about what you said when it comes to fasting and Lent. I admit that losing weight as a result of self-denial can become self-congratulatory and a source of pride... fasting and dieting aren't the same (with prayer and repentance being the main differentiator).
Focaccia! Yes to more focaccia bellies!! Like, is there anything more luxurious?! And yes to more neutrality, more wisdom, more discernment - all of it…heavenly luxury.
It’s been 16 years since I birthed my youngest and thanks to Perimenopause, my body is still not anything like what it was Before. The struggle doesn’t go away. But your words ring with truth. Thank you. I will be rereading. 💜
I just stumbled across your work and really appreciate this piece! I don’t struggle with body image anymore but was recently tempted to when I developed a few stretch marks (I am currently heavily pregnant). But, thankfully, with prayer and practice, nothing can disturb my gratitude and excitement for the little life growing inside me ☺️
Thank you for writing so thoughtfully on a this topic - I hope it blesses many!
This touched me very much. I've just had a baby and had gained a lot of weight during pregnancy, especially in my belly. I've also struggled with body image for years, but being this heavy has made me feel even worse about myself. I don't think I ever truly realized that that my body was/would be a spiritual battleground, so thank you for speaking truth and sharing this with us. God bless you!
I love this. I’ve been struggling with my postpartum body recently and this is very helpful.
It reminded me of an anecdote I heard recently about Vincent Van Gogh (copied from Wikipedia here and slightly edited for language): “When Van Gogh was required to draw the Venus de Milo during a drawing class, he produced the limbless, naked torso of a Flemish peasant woman. Siberdt regarded this as defiance against his artistic guidance and made corrections to Van Gogh's drawing with his crayon so vigorously that he tore the paper. Van Gogh then flew into a violent rage and shouted at Siberdt: 'You clearly do not know what a young woman is like, G—d— it! A woman must have hips, buttocks, a pelvis in which she can carry a baby!'”
May we all be so passionate about the function of the female form.
I think about this a lot as my belly looks and feels like focaccia dough before it goes in the oven, lol. It's been very nice, after a lifetime of obsessing and tummy-consciousness, to finally be at a place of neutrality.
I also think about what you said when it comes to fasting and Lent. I admit that losing weight as a result of self-denial can become self-congratulatory and a source of pride... fasting and dieting aren't the same (with prayer and repentance being the main differentiator).
Thank you for the article!
Focaccia! Yes to more focaccia bellies!! Like, is there anything more luxurious?! And yes to more neutrality, more wisdom, more discernment - all of it…heavenly luxury.
It’s been 16 years since I birthed my youngest and thanks to Perimenopause, my body is still not anything like what it was Before. The struggle doesn’t go away. But your words ring with truth. Thank you. I will be rereading. 💜
I just stumbled across your work and really appreciate this piece! I don’t struggle with body image anymore but was recently tempted to when I developed a few stretch marks (I am currently heavily pregnant). But, thankfully, with prayer and practice, nothing can disturb my gratitude and excitement for the little life growing inside me ☺️
Thank you for writing so thoughtfully on a this topic - I hope it blesses many!
So grateful to connect with you, friend!! So happy with you during your pregnancy ❤️
Great article! Thankyou🤍
this was a great reminder. thank you for writing this.
This touched me very much. I've just had a baby and had gained a lot of weight during pregnancy, especially in my belly. I've also struggled with body image for years, but being this heavy has made me feel even worse about myself. I don't think I ever truly realized that that my body was/would be a spiritual battleground, so thank you for speaking truth and sharing this with us. God bless you!
Thank you! This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, the attitude of our culture towards mothers and the bodies of mothers.
Wow. This gave me a whole lot to think and pray about today. You blessed me with your writing. Thank you.
A truly wonderful insight. Thank you 💖
Absolutely B R I L L I A N T. God Bless you for sharINg thIS piece. I Know it Will edify every Woman Who reads it!
This is beautiful. The most true but also uniquely worded perspective on such an aching topic.