Good up-bringing & decorum instills in us modesty & humility to graciously accept compliments, but I find that there are different categories of accepting compliments (if we'll take a moment to be truthful). The me that honestly accepts the compliments with gratitude; the me that cringes about it & walk faster away; the me that returns the compliment with one of my own to the giver; the me that brushes it off with a tinge of pride & a 'what else is new' attitude.
Someone I greatly admire recently complimented me on how beautiful I always look. He finished his compliments saying "the beauty of who you are is a testament to God's Providence in your life & I thank God for you!" Wow!!! I walked away hearing his voice over & over in my head.
I love creatively styling with different fashions; for me it is as in-bred & natural as breathing. I know that I am fruitfully blessed by God but I have never seen His Providence in me with what I wear or how I look. If asked, I will tell you of those gorgeous shoes I desire, or the boots I am working hard to justify buying. When I think of God's Providence, I think on all those blessings I don't have now; & I am not talking about material things. I mean this is my Heavenly Father, & His Providence is beyond what I can put into words. Yet, is it not from this same storehouse of His that He provides & fills our simplest needs? My littlest needs?
How often do we cross the line by belittling God's Grace in our lives in the name of humility? Or without conscious thought like, "the blessings I have are far too small & I am waiting for the bigger ones"? Which of the 'compliment accepting' category do you fall in? No judgment, not even to myself, but how about we start with a heartfelt whisper/shout of thanks for little blessings in our lives; more so for the bigger ones & the ones that are about to manifest.
I am thankful for this beautiful orange tux-styled jacket that only cost me ten bucks off the clearance rack (grateful that my friend Flo did not snatch it from me ...lol); for this dress that is an oldie goodie & continues to serve its purpose; for my gorgeous shoes that I just love wearing; for this hairstyle that I can proudly say I did by myself; & for the priceless smile that testifies to good health, good life & the abundance of God's Grace.
Enjoy!
Outfit deets: Dress & Gucci platform pumps are oldies but goodies from Marshalls // Orange tux-style jacket was an awesome maxxinista find from TJ Maxx @$10.00 // Handbag Rebecca Minkoff
Stylenspiration: "let the world see the purity & reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles & the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle & quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1PETER 3:2-5
"It is not about the beauty of who you are. It is in the blessing of Whose you are."
Y.S
Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge
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