Before A Man Can Tell You

As women, we are very vulnerable to what we hear. Sure, it’s nice to hear that you are beautiful, but true confidence is believing it in your heart. You need to get comfortable in who God created you to be, before you would even believe what a man told you anyway.

Nothing compares to the beauty, the confidence, the Truth and the joy of knowing that you are created with a purpose, created by a loving Father, and that you are beautiful because you have His hand print on your soul.

You are a daughter of God and you are beautiful, because He created you. God doesn’t create ugly, it would go against His very nature. He can only create beautiful and that’s what you are.

So you see my dear readers, there is an inner beauty about a woman who believes in her inherent dignity as a daughter of God. She is capable of anything she puts her mind to. There is a gentle beauty in her strength, courage and determination, for she perseveres despite pain, loss and suffering. There is beauty in a woman who falls and then rises, again and again. There is immense beauty in a woman who loves.

A woman who embraces the beauty of her feminine genius is a strong woman. She feels deeply, yet is sensitive and compassionate to those who suffer, she feels their pain. She loves passionately, has a gentle spirit and giving heart. A strong woman finds her peace and joy in the Father. A strong woman who embraces the beauty of her femininity is a gift to this world.

You are beautiful.

You are valuable.

You are enough.

   You are made in His Image.

Wait What, God Designed Sex?

People magazine can put a half-naked woman on the cover of their magazines and claim she wins the most beautiful woman of the year award. Made in His Image says NO, that’s not true beauty. Modesty reveals a woman’s inner beauty for the world to see, while preserving her body for her husband in the holy sacrament of marriage. Our culture has lost this sense of sacredness for the human body and the marital embrace. Yes, you heard right! God Himself designed sex for a husband and wife to bring forth new life into this world, a sacred act reserved for marriage.

There is an exceeding amount of over sexualized behavior and immodesty in our culture. What this world needs is for women to stand up and embrace the beauty of the feminine genius, challenge men to be men of virtue and call society to a higher standard. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies…charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31.

A woman is a mystery, and this is the way God designed her. And when a woman conducts herself in accordance with the way in which God created her, she reflects this beauty and appeal in a unique way.

At the core of every woman is the natural desire for respect. No woman desires to be mistreated, but in reality, when a woman dresses immodestly she is inviting disrespect upon herself. When she dresses in a revealing way, she is inviting others to notice her body, and possibly lust after what they see. But, when a woman dresses modestly she is protecting herself from being used, while concealing the beautiful mystery of her body. A man told me that women would be shocked if they were to enter the head of the average man in a crowded room of immodestly dressed women.

Women, who are the crowning of God’s creation play a unique role in reversing this tragedy. How? By embracing the strengths, essence and authentic value of womanhood. In his letter to women, Pope John Paul II refers to these unique characteristics of women as the feminine genius. What an exceedingly beautiful task we have been given!

In fact, woman has a genius all her own, which is vitally essential to both society and the Church. It is certainly not a question of comparing woman to man, since it is obvious that they have fundamental dimensions and values in common. However, in man and in woman these acquire different strengths, interests and emphases and it is this very diversity which becomes a source of enrichment. – Blessed John Paul II

Future Husband? Umm, Yes!!

Quick post before going out to drink some Margaritas and eat dinner outside on this gorgeous night in Nashville!

Ladies, wait for a man who cherishes you. Don’t settle for less. You are such a treasure and deserve to be treated as such.

“I’ve kept myself from fleeting pleasures, and kept my heart wholly for you. I’ve held onto purity as a gift for you, and not given it to someone else’s future wife.

I will remind you daily of your beauty.

I promise to be there on the days you feel like quitting on your dreams, always be your support and someone you can count on to love you through your faults & weaknesses.” – written by a gentleman to his fiancee

 

Beautiful huh? What woman wouldn’t want to hear that right?

That’s what you deserve ladies.

One of the greatest treasures Blessed John Paul II left to the world is his book –Theology of the Body. In it, he talks about the human person and explains how God is made manifested through humanity. Theology of the Body delves into what it truly means to be a man and woman, and how we should live out our masculinity and femininity in accords with how God created us. If we yearn to be the best version of ourselves, then we must embrace the unique qualities of our gender. To do this we must go back to the very beginning when God created us. Genesis 1:27 tells us, God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 

God created us out of love, for us to love and be loved. The way in which this love is expressed and revealed is different for men and women, which is how God in His infinite wisdom designed it to be. And it is the unique characteristics of men and women that enable this love to come to fruition. We exist to complement one another. In Theology of the Body, John Paul II tells us that we are called to exist as a gift for one another. He describes this gift as a sincere gift of self, and it is only when we lay down our life for another in this way that we will experience genuine fulfillment.

Let us strive to live out John Paul II’s words, for only then will we find lasting happiness. Who’s in?

Please note: if a man has made mistakes (God is always forgiving and mercy His greatest attribute), wait for one who will recommit himself to purity. And OF COURSE, vice versa.

 

I don’t know if you know this, but your boobs go inside your shirt.

One time when I was in the library as a student, I overheard several men looking at pornography on their computers. They were laughing and making inappropriate jokes. I told them, you know what, you’re worth more than that. She’s worth more than that.

While I am a very reserved person, not shy, just reserved. I am not afraid to stand up for Truth. I have been told that I have a very soft and gentle voice, and therefore, in a gentle manner, I want to tell you ladies, that just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you have to dress inappropriately. A man told me that women would be shocked if they were to enter the head of the average man in a crowded room of immodestly dressed women.

Another gentleman I know wrote this as his facebook status several days ago. Dear Ladies I know, thank you for your modesty and virtue! My attempt at relaxing in the apartment pool was thwarted by what constitutes as swim wear these days. I’ve clearly been out of the loop because string bikini is now a literal term. A woman’s body is precious and a gift meant for her husband, pray for these poor girls. 

Our society today has lost sight of the quintessential beauty in which God created us, due to selfishness. Our culture is plagued with violation and unrest due to a “hook up” mentality, lack of chastity and self-control, pornography and a genuine lack of respect for the human person. How can we bring our culture back to God’s original design?

Women, in order to do this you must embrace your femininity in a unique way. You were created with a unique purpose and plan and your dignity flows from the Father’s love for you. So, Made in His Image would like to challenge you to dress modestly this summer and at all times. If you have a question about what is considered modest, please do not hesitate to ask.

At the core of modesty is moderation, simplicity and a regard for decency in your behavior and dress. Modesty starts inside a person’s heart and mind. Modesty asks questions, Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? Modesty cherishes the sacredness of the human body in our overly sexualized world. The human body is beautiful and modesty reveals a woman’s inner beauty for the world to see, while preserving her body for her husband in the holy sacrament of marriage.

Ladies, we have been given an exceedingly beautiful task of guarding men’s eyes, minds and hearts. Let us not shirk from this responsibility. Let’s be authentic women!

Mary was not “full of grace” because she was beautiful. She was beautiful because she was full of grace. – Fulton Sheen

A Message from the Founder

Today was surreal. I was recorded for a live interview for Made in His Image on Teresa Tomeo/EWTN radio and it was awesome!! It was a moment I use to dream about, Made in His Image is real and it’s amazing! All the honor and glory to our Heavenly Father!

The visitors to our blog skyrocketed today. This is wonderful, thank you for reading and please feel free to browse all of the tabs above. Please also share this ministry with all you know, to help spread the message.

Made in His Image was launched in September 2011, when I left my job as a baker and pastry chef. Born out of an intense desire to help those who suffer, Made in His Image yearns to aid you in your journal of healing from victim to survivor.

The mission of Made in His Image: To begin a dialogue, a discussion, in a safe and compassionate setting, to foster hope and healing, and to empower women to turn from victim to survivor. Ultimately, to provide holistic medical treatment and healing for women suffering from eating disorders, physical, and or sexual abuse, which entails, educating all women on the nature and dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God.

Made in His Image also seeks to empower women to live out their calling to be an authentic woman. Unfortunately, we live in a society where People magazine can put a half-naked woman on the cover of their magazines and claim she wins the most beautiful woman of the year award. Made in His Image says no, that’s not true beauty.

Modesty reveals a woman’s inner beauty for the world to see, while preserving her body for her husband in the holy sacrament of marriage. Our culture has lost this sense of sacredness for the human body and the martial embrace.

There is an exceeding amount of over sexualized behavior and immodesty in our culture. What this world needs is for women to stand up and embrace the beauty of the feminine genius, challenge men to be men of virtue, and call society to a higher standard.

Women, who are the crowning of God’s creation can play a unique role in reversing our overly sexualized society. How? By embracing the strengths, essence and authentic value of womanhood. In his letter to women, Pope John Paul II refers to these unique characteristics of women as the feminine genius. What an exceedingly beautiful task we have been given!

So you see my dear readers, there is an inner beauty about a woman who believes in her inherent dignity as a daughter of God. She is capable of anything she puts her mind to. There is a gentle beauty in her strength, courage and determination, for she perseveres despite pain, loss and suffering. There is beauty in a woman who falls and then rises, again and again. There is immense beauty in a woman who loves.

A woman who embraces the beauty of her feminine genius is a strong woman. She feels deeply, yet is sensitive and compassionate to those who suffer, she feels their pain. She loves passionately, has a gentle spirit and giving heart. A strong woman finds her peace and joy in the Father. A strong woman who embraces the beauty of her femininity is a gift to this world.

In closing, I fully fundraise my salary (to pay my rent, car insurance, cell phone bill, food, etc.) since launching Made in His Image. If you are financially able to help support my mission, please visit our DONATE page and make a donation. Thank you so very much.

Always in His Hope,

Maura Byrne

Founder & President, Made in His Image

Victoria’s Secret Model Quits to Reserve Body ‘for My Husband’

I once saw a young woman’s facebook status which read, “My number one goal in life is to be a Victoria Secret model.” My heart ached for her, as I thought how sad. These models are what countless young women aspire to be like in today’s society and it’s revolting.

Do you want to know something?

At my lowest weight of 90 pounds at 5’8” I was the most miserable I have ever been in my life. But I was thin so why wasn’t I happy? Because I lacked God’s peace and didn’t find my worth in Him. True peace and happiness isn’t found in being thin or a Victoria Secret model. It’s found in discovering your identity as a beautiful daughter of God, created in His Image and likeness.

By Jennifer Abbey for ABC News

One Victoria’s Secret angel might be turning her back on lingerie modeling but she’s not giving up her wings.

Model Kylie Bisutti, 21, has decided to leave Victoria’s Secret because it clashes with her Christian beliefs.

“My body should only be for my husband and it’s just a sacred thing,” Bisutti told FOX411′s Pop Tarts column.  “I didn’t really want to be that kind of role model for younger girls because I had a lot of younger Christian girls that were looking up to me and then thinking that it was OK for them to walk around and show their bodies in lingerie to guys.”

Bisutti beat out 10,000 hopefuls in 2009 to win the Victoria’s Secret Model Search. She was 19 and recently married at the time.

“Victoria’s Secret was my absolutely biggest goal in life, and it was all I ever wanted career-wise. I actually loved it while I was there, it was so much fun and I had a blast. But the more I was modeling lingerie – and lingerie isn’t clothing – I just started becoming more uncomfortable with it because of my faith,” Bisutti told FOX411. “I’m Christian, and reading the Bible more, I was becoming more convicted about it.”

But wearing the coveted angel wings and walking the runway with Adriana Lima and Miranda Kerr wasn’t quite what Bisutti had hoped for.

“It was pretty crazy because I finally achieved my biggest dream, the dream that I always wanted, but when I finally got it, it wasn’t all that I thought it would be,” she said.

Bisutti had decided to leave the lingerie company awhile ago. On Dec. 1, the day after the nationally televised Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in which Bisutti didn’t appear, the model posted to her Twitter page, “For all of you that were looking for me in the Victorias Secret runway show this year, I wasn’t in it. I have decided not to model lingerie Because I personally feel that I am not honoring God or my husband by doing it. My marriage is very important & with divorce rates rising I want to do everything I can to protect my marriage and be respectful to my husband. God graciously gave me this marriage and this life and my desire is to live a Godly faithful life, I don’t however judge others for what they do. Everyone is convicted on different levels.”

Bisutti hasn’t completely given up on modeling just yet. The beauty also posted to her Twitter page, “I am still modeling but only with brands that respect my decision not to wear lingerie. I am also doing TV work now :).”

She appears with Jennifer Lopez in a new Kohl’s commercial, and she’s working on a new television show to hit the CW in September. “My goal is just to be a better role model for the youth. I just want them to see me as somebody that they can look up to and somebody that’s going to be dressing appropriately and I’m not going to get into things that I wouldn’t want them to be getting into,” Bisutti told FOX411.

“I want to go over the top because I don’t think enough people go over the top about how serious all this is.  I just want people to see something different about me because I have that faith and I think it’s so important for everyone to have.”

Through It, I Learned Who I Am

Several weeks ago as I flipped through a local magazine, I came across a page that said, “Beautiful Positive You – Call today to schedule your appointment at Vanderbilt Center for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.” Oh my goodness gracious! That couldn’t be further from the truth, I thought to myself.

I thought of a beautiful quote from Karen Doyle who wrote a little book brimming with quotes about the feminine genius. She opens the Genius of Womanhood by saying, Our culture today is suffering from a deep crisis caused by confusion over the true meaning of femininity and womanhood. A sea of conflicting images and expectations has meant that this confusion not only affects women individually but goes right to the heart of society, affecting men and children in a profound way. 

Her expression of Truth couldn’t be more exquisite. What women today need is education about their dignity as a daughter of God. God is a God of order, nothing is just here, He created us out of His masterful order and as His sons and daughters we possess His dignity, for we are created in His image and likeness.

I love the ocean, it’s one of my favorite places to be. There is something about its vastness that leaves me breathless. If I’m not in the water riding the waves, I love to just sit in the sand and watch the waves break and see the white foam that forms after they crash, it’s magnificent. Each wave is orchestrated to be a certain size and break at a given time, similar to the way in which God designed us. Each one of us is unique and comparing yourself to others is not healthy. You are you, and what our society needs is to embrace this fact.

Plastic surgery is like saying, sorry God, but you didn’t make me good enough. I think I should help You out there and make a few changes. Satan throws lies at our insecurities all the time saying we aren’t good enough. But confidence in God, can and will, combat those lies. In order to do that, you need to be firmly rooted in who you are.

Someone once told me they wanted me to get plastic surgery. It devastated me. Thoughts and feelings raced through my mind such as, Does this mean I’m not beautiful? Why do they want to change my body? I must be pretty ugly huh, because if I was really beautiful they wouldn’t have said that. 

I never even considered doing it, but I still felt gross. And at first, their words deeply wounded my heart. But through it, I learned about who I am as God’s daughter. It was a long journey and I am still learning. But let me tell you nothing compares to the beauty, the confidence, the Truth and the joy of knowing that you are created with a purpose, created by a loving Father, and that you are beautiful because you have His hand print on your soul.

I don’t need a man to tell me I’m good enough, or that I’m beautiful. Sure, it’s nice to hear that you are beautiful, but true confidence is believing it in your heart. You need to get comfortable in who God created you to be, before you would even believe what a man told you anyway.

Today I can look in the mirror and say that I’m beautiful because I’m created in the image and likeness of God. No one could make me change my body and if someone were to mention it, I wouldn’t flinch, because I know who I am.

I am a daughter of God and I’m beautiful, because He created me. God doesn’t created ugly; it would be against His very nature. He can only create beautiful and that’s what I am.

And guess what?

That’s what you are too!

J.C. Penney Pulls Controversial T-Shirt

A few months ago, the Internet was up in arms over a white David & Goliath T-Shirt that read, in pink bubble letters, “I’m too pretty to do math.” Then there was the one with “Future Trophy Wife” written on it.

But many parents think this one is worse.

The long-sleeve T-shirt that J.C. Penneypulled off its website today amid plenty of parental outrage read: “I’m too pretty to do my homework so my brother has to do it for me.” And, judging by the description of the shirt on the J.C. Penney website—”Who has time for homework when there’s a new Justin Bieber album out? She’ll love this tee that’s just as cute and sassy as she is”—it seems like the company didn’t have a problem with the shirt until customers started to complain.

Thanks, major clothing retailers. We struggle to teach our girls that beauty isn’t everything, that they don’t have to play dumb in order to be popular, that women can be both smart and pretty. But, even though studies show that girls are as good at math as boys, even with beautiful movie stars earning Ivy League degrees in between blockbuster hits, the stereotypes persist—thanks in large part to messages like the one on that “cute and sassy” T-shirt marketed to girls age 7 to 16.

The controversy started late Tuesday night, when clothing designer Melissa Wardy saw a tweet about the T-shirt and then shared the link on her Facebook page. “I advocate for girls and against this kind of gender stereotyping in the marketplace,” she said in an interview with Yahoo! Shine. “My little girl starts kindergarten tomorrow… I don’t want her to see a shirt like that on her classmate, something saying that pretty is cute and right and the academics should be left to the boys.”

“It incorporates all of the wrong messages for girls,” she adds. “Why are we conditioning kids to wear something that degrades their self-worth?” – a Yahoo parenting article.

J.C. Penney removed the T-shirt on Wednesday and issued this statement:  “J.C. Penney is committed to being America’s destination for great style and great value for the whole family. We agree that the ‘Too pretty’ t-shirt does not deliver an appropriate message, and we have immediately discontinued its sale.  Our merchandise is intended to appeal to a broad customer base, not to offend them. We would like to apologize to our customers and are taking action to ensure that we continue to uphold the integrity of our merchandise that they have come to expect.”

I think Wardy’s statement is worth noting – “”It incorporates all of the wrong messages for girls,” she adds. “Why are we conditioning kids to wear something that degrades their self-worth?” That statement is so true. I wish more of our society would pick up on the same message. Imagine what our society would be like if more females began to wear appropriate clothing? They would be respecting themselves, because are bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. And what we wear and how we conduct ourselves should represent our Creator. They would also be coveting men’s eyes from the mystery, beauty and femininity of a woman’s body, which is exceedingly important in our society. If only more women would recognize the import role they play in our society – I’m convinced our world would be a different place.

Kate Winslet, Rachel Weisz Form “Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League”

Several weeks ago as I flipped through a local magazine, I came across a page that said, “Beautiful Positive You – Call today to schedule your appointment at Vanderbilt Center for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.” Oh my goodness gracious! That couldn’t be further from the truth, I thought to myself.

I thought of a beautiful quote from Karen Doyle who wrote a little book brimming with quotes about the feminine genius. She opens the Genius of Womanhood by saying,  Our culture today is suffering from a deep crisis caused by confusion over the true meaning of femininity and womanhood. A sea of conflicting images and expectations has meant that this confusion not only affects women individually but goes right to the heart of society, affecting men and children in a profound way. 

Her expression of Truth couldn’t be more exquisite. What women today need is education about their dignity as God’s daughter. God is a God of order, nothing is just here, He created us out of His masterful order. As His sons and daughters we possess His dignity for we are created in His image and likeness.

I love the ocean, it’s one of my favorite places to be. There is something about the vastness that leaves me breathless. If I’m not in the water riding the waves, I love to just sit in the sand and watch the waves break and see the white foam that forms after they crash, it’s magnificent. Each wave is orchestrated to be a certain size and break at a given time, similar to the way in which God designed us. Each one of us is unique and comparing yourself to others is not healthy. You are you, and what our society needs is to embrace this fact.

Plastic surgery is like saying, sorry God, but you didn’t make me good enough. I think I should help you out there and make a few changes. Satan throws lies at our insecurities all the time saying we aren’t “good enough.” But confidence in God can and will combat those lies. In order to do that, you need to be firmly rooted in who you are.

Someone once told me they wanted me to get plastic surgery. It devastated me. Thoughts and feeling raced through my mind such as, Does this mean I’m not beautiful? Why do they want to change my body? I must be pretty ugly huh, because if I was really beautiful they wouldn’t have said that. 

I never even considered doing it, but I still felt gross. And at first their words deeply wounded my sensitive heart. But through it I learned about who I am as God’s daughter. It was a long journey and I am still learning. But let me tell you nothing compares to the beauty, the confidence, the Truth and the joy of knowing that you are created with a purpose, created by a loving Father, and that you are beautiful because you have His hand print on your soul.

I don’t need a man to tell me I’m good enough, or that I’m beautiful. Sure it’s nice to hear that you are beautiful, but true confidence is believing it in your heart. You need to get comfortable in who God created you to be, before you would even believe what a man told you anyway.

Today I can look in the mirror and say that I’m beautiful because I’m created in the image and likeness of God. No one could make me change my body and if someone were to mention it I wouldn’t flinch, because I know who I am.

I am a daughter of God and I’m beautiful, because He created me. God doesn’t created ugly; it would be against His very nature. He can only create beautiful and that’s what I am.

That’s what you are.

Yesterday I saw this article. Check it out! I think it’s very positive for women to see that there are actress that promote natural beauty.

Kate Winslet, Rachel Weisz Form “Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League” by US Magazine

 

 

Natural woman!

Embracing her curves is nothing new to Kate Winslet, but now the actress is taking an active stand against the pressure in Hollywood for women to undergo cosmetic surgery.

The 35-year-old actress told London’s The Telegraph that she and fellow British Oscar-winners Emma Thompson and Rachel Weisz have formed what she describes as the “British Anti-Cosmetic Surgery League.”

“I will never give in,” she said. “It goes against my morals, the way that my parents brought me up and what I consider to be natural beauty.”

While the women’s resolve not to go under the knife is real, their league might be more of a way to speak out against ageism than an active organization.

While the women’s resolve not to go under the knife is real, their league might be more of a way to speak out against ageism than an active organization.

“I am an actress, I don’t want to freeze the expression of my face,” Winslet said.

Thompson, 52, agreed. “I’m not fiddling about with myself,” she exclaimed. “We’re in this awful youth-driven thing now where everybody needs to look 30 at 60.”

More Beautiful You

Every woman needs to listen to this song and watch this video. Everywhere we turn today we are surrounded by what our culture considers to be “beautiful.” Plastic surgery, 90 pound bodies, made-up faces, immorality and immodesty just to name a few. The only way to combat false true is to replace it with truth. And this song is truth. There is beauty in virtue, a beauty that shines for miles around in this jaded world we live in.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gently and quiet spirit.” -1 Peter 3:3-4