tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post6103052492782560713..comments2024-03-17T05:29:37.174-04:00Comments on Imparting Grace: On being honestRichella Parhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04353214472648623583noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-40081790534031654822011-09-06T20:37:40.060-04:002011-09-06T20:37:40.060-04:00Hey, I stumbled upon this while looking at picture...Hey, I stumbled upon this while looking at pictures of birthmarks on leg. Your's was the only one I found that I could relate to. I think I can relate to how you felt and the picture because I have birthmarks like yours in the same exact place that I am very self conscious about. I'm a teenager so it kind of hard for me to wear shorts or a swimsuit around my friends. I thought I was ugly because of my birth mark but this post got me thinking that such a thing shouldn't make me feel less attractive or like a freak. I'm African-American so my birthmark is a black color. I think you're really pretty :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-50281052246942810572011-02-01T11:40:24.726-05:002011-02-01T11:40:24.726-05:00Great post. We, as women, continually beat ourselv...Great post. We, as women, continually beat ourselves up over different things we "think" we should have a handle on. We are not perfect only Jesus is. And that is a mighty relief!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-27323951502230202922011-01-30T17:52:22.903-05:002011-01-30T17:52:22.903-05:00Your post is so achingly real and for sure touches...Your post is so achingly real and for sure touches a battle I struggle with...like so many women do. Sometimes I think that age and perspective have given me some wisdom and then some days, the old insecurities roar to life. Love your blog.Beverlydruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11076952202754480892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-87883778054070494962011-01-19T00:22:48.121-05:002011-01-19T00:22:48.121-05:00From my view, I don't see a problem, I just se...From my view, I don't see a problem, I just see that you are so pretty! I always have a problem with my weight. I am a size 14, in the large scheme of things, this isn't bad but I eat a super healthy diet and the weight doesn't budge. I just have to remember that my family tree has some serious obesity issues and that I am actually one of the "skinny" ones :-)Christinehttp://www.craftygeordi.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-54422818497311916412011-01-02T22:18:50.488-05:002011-01-02T22:18:50.488-05:00I love your honesty and openness! What a beautiful...I love your honesty and openness! What a beautiful, open heart you have. Although I've only read two posts, I am drawn to you because I have three boys ages 8, 6 and 2, so I feel like you are my future! (Although you look so young, we're probably about the same age ... we got started later!)<br /><br />No worries ... you seem to be beautiful inside and out, and I'm looking forward to reading more posts tonight. Happy new year!Katherine @ Grass Stainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01258123193553569060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-36708012013557439632011-01-01T16:01:19.228-05:002011-01-01T16:01:19.228-05:00Wow I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes those c...Wow I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes those comments that aren't meant to hurt, hurt the worst! I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and although I am dealing with it every day and it hurts a lot physically, it hurts more the LOOK it has given me. Like my hands are what people comment on the most saying "Wow are you double jointed" or "Your hands look funny" It breaks my heart. I look forward to winter just so I can wear gloves ALL THE TIME! I know exactly how you feel... I went to a hand surgeon a few months back and he asked why I wanted to have the surgery was it because of the pain? I said no I can deal with the pain I want to change the way my hands look! <br /><br />I have a really hard time with it being only 25! <br /><br />Big hugs to you its not easy looking different! Even though its not a huge thing and I know some people have bigger deformities and bigger problems it is still very hard!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-9198093679739440582011-01-01T15:59:42.209-05:002011-01-01T15:59:42.209-05:00Thank you for sharing your raw honesty. Several y...Thank you for sharing your raw honesty. Several years ago, I met a young couple. The husband was very, very attractive and out-going, the type of guy who probably had girls falling all over him all his life. His bride was more soft-spoken. And she had a dark port wine birthmark covering over 40% of her face. Meeting them made me think that God had to created this man just for her. Strength, compassion and love will always trump appearances in my book.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041089835398103207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-36520977430558826802011-01-01T15:33:22.441-05:002011-01-01T15:33:22.441-05:00What an amazing post you have here. I am just sto...What an amazing post you have here. I am just stopping by from The Lettered Cottage. I am encouraged by your words. It is wonderful to read how you are relying on the Lord and are growing in your love for Him. I will now be a new follower of yours and look forward to reading more about you!<br /><br />Becky B.Becky@OrganizingMadeFunhttp://www.organizingmadefun.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-31214723631904726502010-12-05T21:25:08.565-05:002010-12-05T21:25:08.565-05:00Oh wow. Something I never talk about. When I was...Oh wow. Something I never talk about. When I was a teenager I had acne and now I have been left with some scarring. No one says anything but I know it's there. Always. I feel like it sticks out like a sore thumb. You can't hide your face. You just can't. Sometimes I want to shout, "I know it's there" yet I never talk about it. I have always felt it was one of my crosses to bear. Weird, I know. I feel guilty and superficial about it. I do know it could be so much worse. It feels kind of strange to talk about it to another person. I think you are absolutely movie star beautiful. Really, I do. :)Crystal @ Ordinary Dayshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14053247899035176610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-15006767705105904232010-10-28T01:01:26.705-04:002010-10-28T01:01:26.705-04:00I loved the comment about the boy whose braces say...I loved the comment about the boy whose braces say "it's ok to ask." Personally, I have a big nose, but my partner (who did not know my opinion) one day said it was a cute little nose. At 60+, I'd never heard that one before! I have a scar on my leg and a sunken in spot on one cheek, gray hair and I guess one of the good things about aging is that you have so many flaws in your appearance that enumerating them gets to be a bore. Who has time?<br />But thanks for a thoughtful post that made me grateful that my appearance (beyond being clean and neat) is much less important than it used to be.MizLoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774395755709265578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-74536443598104872912010-07-11T16:43:15.948-04:002010-07-11T16:43:15.948-04:00Hello, I have been doing some blog hopping today &...Hello, I have been doing some blog hopping today & found your blog. I love it & I can't wait to read more! <br /><br />I really love this post... it is all so true, thanks for posting!Danielle @ We Have It Allhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08342866062177224047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-31487698613402204302010-06-12T09:45:58.104-04:002010-06-12T09:45:58.104-04:00Oh wow. I was reading older posts on your blog and...Oh wow. I was reading older posts on your blog and came across this post. Thank you so much for sharing this. I got an entire new picture of things to talk to God about. And you know what, you're right. God doesn't want us to appear perfect, just be trusting. I just don't even know what to say except thank you and know that even though you wrote this post a while back, it had a great impact on my life today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-1130444595118817632010-05-17T15:26:05.920-04:002010-05-17T15:26:05.920-04:00Beautiful post. The honesty of it is wonderful. I ...Beautiful post. The honesty of it is wonderful. I struggle with my weight, I struggle with scars, I struggle with bad decisions made in the past. <br /><br />I teach a little boy in Sunday school who has cerebral palsy. He wears leg braces and uses crutches, but often leaves the crutches and simply scoots around, like a frog. His precious parents are doing a great job with this little boy. He is well adjusted and handles his disability with grace. His latest braces actually have this statement on the back of them "it's okay to ask". <br /><br />I am trying to get there about things -- It's okay to ask me, I'm okay discussing it. God is helping me and your honesty has helped me even more today. <br /><br />You are beautiful.maggiegracecreateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12475293299150321997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-44378487450670746492010-05-17T12:10:48.270-04:002010-05-17T12:10:48.270-04:00Amen ! Love this post.
xoxo
KateAmen ! Love this post. <br /><br />xoxo<br />KateKate Riley https://www.blogger.com/profile/12505826655649361222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-60793564063151510402010-05-15T03:28:29.352-04:002010-05-15T03:28:29.352-04:00Thank you. What a well-timed insight I really nee...Thank you. What a well-timed insight I really needed to hear. Thank you for sharing this with us.D'Nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11798407767133018902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-60536407862570462452010-05-13T23:54:24.447-04:002010-05-13T23:54:24.447-04:00you are a beautiful person! <3you are a beautiful person! <3Teenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12159385234457342969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-26262607899878998232010-05-13T22:31:40.927-04:002010-05-13T22:31:40.927-04:00what a beautiful post... I know just how you feel ...what a beautiful post... I know just how you feel - thank you for sharing! <br />Kathy k.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15075552196699769073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-55329627042637176812010-05-13T10:22:48.173-04:002010-05-13T10:22:48.173-04:00Oh Richella why do we do this to ourselves?? You&#...Oh Richella why do we do this to ourselves?? You're beautiful!! and believe me we all have flaws. I loved your dress and your hair....gorgeous!!<br />Thanks for all your encouraging words...I woke up this morning thinking why did I agree to speak to these young Moms?? You're post was such an encouragement! <br />Blessings to you my sweet friend,<br />CyndiGrace and Beautyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10446915342307853783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-88824329481725042822010-05-13T10:11:07.799-04:002010-05-13T10:11:07.799-04:00Thank you for your honesty and transparency. I ap...Thank you for your honesty and transparency. I appreciate what you said about Jesus being our sympathizer. He knows. He cares, deeply.<br /><br /> Yes, I agree that we all have areas that we struggle with, especially our bodies. <br />I also think that we often are our own worst enemy. Something that I am self-conscious of, lament over, and scrunch my nose in the mirror at is often unnoticed by others. I am my worst critic and I have to remind myself of that. Daily.Gretchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17078543392410879361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-41822570593749670632010-05-12T22:26:49.572-04:002010-05-12T22:26:49.572-04:00What a moving commentary, Richella. You are so wo...What a moving commentary, Richella. You are so wonderful. I have known you for years and never noticed any imperfection in your beautiful appearance and spirit. I struggle daily with feelings of inadequacy and imperfection about various aspects of my appearance or personality, most especially my weight. But every now and then, when I am in the throws of self-pity and self-hatred, I recall that there is only one perfect being, and I am certainly not He. Somehow what I perceive as inadequacies and imperfections have been given to me by God for a reason, for He does not make mistakes. My goal, then, is not to understand but to accept myself as I am. I can still try to improve myself, but I need to love myself first and remember that God always loves me.<br /><br />"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." May we all find comfort, rest and peace in God's loving arms.Erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-50834282594149374132010-05-12T21:56:49.931-04:002010-05-12T21:56:49.931-04:00Yes - I struggle with this too. But the 'thin...Yes - I struggle with this too. But the 'thing' that comes to the forefront of my mind is a relationship 'thing/response' that I shouldn't have but drives me crazy when it really shouldn't. I'm sure glad the Lord loves me in spite of myself...since that is all I can offer Him. Thank you, Richella, for calling us to honesty and devotion - again! Blessings ~Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00805272932024269158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-40255868984370324422010-05-12T18:26:45.287-04:002010-05-12T18:26:45.287-04:00First of all, your hair is beautiful :)
Secondly...First of all, your hair is beautiful :) <br /><br />Secondly, i think we ALL feel this way at one time or another (or, for some of us, all the time). I recently read an article (http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/04/2691/) and fell in love with the saying: WHO TOLD YOU THAT!? for me, so often i forget to clothe myself with Jesus every morning that Satan's voice becomes one of the masses...unrecognizable from the compliments & confidence from the Holy Spirit. But now, after reading that article, WHO TOLD ME THAT? has become a sort of mantra for me. And when i answer, God answers too: "NOT ME", He says everytime. :)j...https://www.blogger.com/profile/03064034551238832329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-21160258586503790412010-05-12T12:29:35.397-04:002010-05-12T12:29:35.397-04:00I found this really moving, Richella! I think we a...I found this really moving, Richella! I think we all have something in our lives like this, even if it shows up in different forms. I've got a birthmark on my arm that I was always teased about, and for years I always covered it with sleeves. It was only a few years ago when I decided to heck with it--I was going to wear a pretty sleeveless shirt or dress if I wanted to! It was very freeing to stop hiding it. Almost like I was finally accepting myself, imperfections and all. :-)Julia @ Hooked on Houseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04937060849774403002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-91985453389101022362010-05-12T10:38:16.326-04:002010-05-12T10:38:16.326-04:00Oh Richella this post is amazing ans so well writt...Oh Richella this post is amazing ans so well written! You should write a book. I'm serious. I think we all feel this way about so many things about our physical appearances. Mine now is my weight. I have recently lost 47 pounds but I'm still not "quite" to my old weight yet. Then I feel guilty for being so picky and hard on myself. Who cares right? God loves me as is just as we all know. I have really been struggling with this for a few months. I NEED to take new photos, keep buying new clothes and move on with it.<br /><br />I think you are gorgeous! Is it wrong that I feel anger that people ask you about your legs? I just want to defend you and give you a hug. I know they don't mean to hurt your feelings but still. Sigh. <br /><br />Great post. I'll be doing some soul searching today. ~Melissa :)Melissa Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04112514946365838427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6758915940467026052.post-64495752908391560162010-05-12T10:23:51.414-04:002010-05-12T10:23:51.414-04:00Bless you, my sweet, beautiful friend!!!
Right no...Bless you, my sweet, beautiful friend!!!<br /><br />Right now. I'm facing a move I don't want to make, that may or might not happen... in a month, or two, or three, or four, or more. I don't want my kids uprooted {again}, especially with 2 in middle school next year. I am weary of packing and unpacking... I trust the Lord and His perfect plans. I AM ok with wherever he places us... but I am still stressed and feel like I should be acting more full of faith and trust. I am glad He isn't telling me to get over it, just give it to Him. I know He knows my need for security and stability... even though it seems that He has called me to be a nomad!<br /><br />Thanks for a good cry this morning!!!<br />blessings!!Terrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10453550769150945432noreply@blogger.com