To all of my ladies out there:

Originally written on June 28, 2013

Ladies,

It's that time of year...Summer!!!  We are taking time off of work, spending more time outdoors (if you don't live in Houston...) and laying out by the pool.  You know what that means...swimsuit season!!!!  I have seen many a facebook post out there discussing the need to work on a "swimsuit bod".  In light of this phenomenon, I would like to share an experience I have had recently with my own personal battle with swimsuit season.

In case you have not already picked up on this, I believe my body to be sacred and holy.  Yes, it is.  I am learning more about Theology of the Body, which is a series of talks given by Blessed Pope John Paul the Great early in his Papacy.  If you have never heard of it, I encourage you to look it up and check it out.  Christopher West has some great resources.  However, beware, it will completely change your life!

The other day I was speaking with a friend and she was telling me about a conversation she over heard from two of our male acquaintances, The basic gist of this conversation was that with regard to women, a guy can always find a woman who is hotter.  I was seriously put out by hearing this.  Basically, what I was able to deduce from the repetition of this conversation, was that for these particular dudes the number one criteria for them when it comes to women is that she have a hot body.  It really affected the way that I saw them and the way I saw myself.  

I was pretty angry and hurt, but why?  They weren't talking about me directly.  They were just having a generic conversation.  It reeks of the reality that when these guys see any woman, they look at her with the mentality that they can always go hotter.  And I have let them look at me numerous times.  Thankfully, I am a fairly modest dresser so they have had the privilege of seeing my beautiful face only.  Many women will spend countless hours and money trying to become a hotter version of themselves to get that kind of guy.  I am begging you.  Don't do it.  Remember, he believes he can always go hotter.  Always.  

Now, I am not saying don't work out, go eat whatever you want, and don't care about your appearance.  Please do care about your appearance.  Care about it a lot.  God gave you your body so use it for his glory.  Do NOT cover it up because you are ashamed.  Cover it up to protect it.  Protect it from people who want to strip you of your dignity, who want to reduce you to a mere toy for their own pleasure.  Above all, protect it from those people who simply don't deserve to see how good it actually is.  Not only that, cover it up to force that kind of guy to look you in the eyes, to see that you are a person, a human, a daughter of God, to give him a chance at discovering what true beauty is, how good of a person you are, and hopefully, how much God loves him.

Guys in our generation have adopted this mentality because we have allowed them to do so and we have not stepped in and protected our own dignity.  In this same way, we have seriously violated their dignity as men.  We have stunted their growth and done them a great disservice.  I KNOW that these guys in my life have the potential to be great men one day, please join me in helping them accomplish this goal by becoming the even more incredible women of God than you already are!

So what does this have to do with Swimsuit Season?  Pretty much everything.  Reflect on your intentions for getting into shape this summer.  Do it to be healthy, active, to build virtue in yourself, to persevere.  Don't do it to look good.  You are already beautiful and will become even more beautiful as you bask in the truth that you are loved by God and that is all you need!  Reflect on what you are wearing this summer as the temperatures rise.  Be comfortable, but remember to protect what God gave you no matter if you're at home, outside, or even at the pool.  Be modest in your attitudes also.  Do not be attention seeking, but seek to love and support others in friendship.  You are all a treasure to me in my life you can count on me to support you and love you through all of your struggles!

God Bless you and please pray for me as I pray for you!