Flaw : noun
A mark, fault, or other imperfection that mars a substance or object

Fearfully and wonderfully made. As women, we have a hard time accepting that God’s workmanship is good when it pertains to ourselves. We can quickly name others who have a smaller nose, longer legs, whiter teeth, and better styled hair. We critique our physical traits with harsh eyes. But sometimes, our eyes become a little more forgiving as we start to see our flaws as strokes of the Artist’s hand.

ANNA

Snow white. That was the nickname given to me by my fellow church campers during high school. It stung. It had nothing to do with any princess-like qualities I possessed; it was the color of my skin. So, so pale. Since then, every summer I’ve determined would finally be the summer when I would get that amazing tan. But each year has come and gone and my skin has remained the same. I can’t tell you how much this has plagued me. For one, I’ve always hated choosing clothing during the summer. It’s so much easier to reach for leggings and boots than to figure out how to wear summer appropriate clothing without showcasing my “flaw.”
Only recently have I started to change my perspective on this. Last fall I happened to change my hair color from blonde to brunette (just wanting a change), and when I looked in the mirror, the first thing I noticed was my skin. It didn’t look washed out and sickly anymore. The first word that came to mind was “porcelain”. I went from feeling embarrassed to feeling beautiful. Just to be clear, the hair color did help but ultimately, it was a shift in my perspective that made the difference in how I felt about myself.
I have also noticed lately that two of my favorite actresses, Zooey Deschanel and Emma Stone, both have pale skin and are drop dead gorgeous. They aren’t trying to hide their skin or get unnatural tans. They are pale and proud. That is my new goal. To embrace who I am and learn to showcase my natural beauty instead of always wishing I was like someone else. Maybe this summer I’ll be a little more adventuresome with my wardrobe. Although, just thinking about it, makes me cringe a little. I still have a ways to go in this journey. But I’m heading the right direction and that’s what matters.

Kathleen

My white skin has always had trouble tanning. It mostly burns or turns some shade of pink. While some cultures embrace pale skin, my peers have always enjoyed slathering on oil and spending hours in the sun. Since that means nothing but blisters and pain for me, I spent years being angry at my slightly translucent skin. And while today, I am perfectly content spending hours under an umbrella on the beach; there are still many days I wish my legs had at least an even undertone, rather than flaunting each vein underneath.
However, I am slowly realizing that it is important to embrace the skin that God has given me and to take care of it, so I am trying to learn which products enhance my natural color (or lack thereof) and really want to understand how to treat my skin well both through choosing natural skincare products and eating more vegetables :)

Karen

When I was younger, I was self-conscious of my nose. I found it too large and pointed. I wanted a small, cute nose. But then I went to Cambodia and the people there loved my nose. They said they wished theirs were large and pointed instead of small and round. I began to realize how subjective beauty is and to accept the nose I’ve been given.

Grace

When I was younger I can remember my mom telling me that the angels must really love me. She was referring to all of the brown spots that appeared on my skin by the hour in the summer sun. She called them my angel kisses. I didn’t feel like the spots had anything to do with love or kisses. I was far from adoring them. I always envied the smooth skin of my friends and the girls I would see on TV or in magazines. I felt so different. As I grow older I am learning to appreciate this uniqueness about myself. Somedays I still want to scratch my freckles off. I find that when I don’t compare myself I am free… Free to love myself the way I am. This is how I am trying to live, and I am finding it works. I can see the beauty in this “flaw” I have.  “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

CHAR

I have a tummy bulge. Yep, you heard right. I just said that. I kinda like to think of it as a badge of honor. This here tummy of mine? It it carried four babies and well…it never quite recovered. But today, I thank God I have this tummy bulge because it represents four of the most amazing beautiful gifts a woman could ask for. And that is something I will never take for granted.

Embracing life and all it’s flaws that come along the way….it is a choice, friends.