3.25.2008

Hairspray

I think I have a lesson to learn from a cheesy musical. that's right, Hairspray. John Travolta dressed up as a woman, married to Christopher Walken. can't get much worse than that!

but on to my point..
I have a problem. my identity seems to be in the wrong thing a lot of the time.
it's in how I look.
I didn't realize this was still an issue for me until a couple of weeks ago.
you see, I used to be a lot heavier than I am now. 40 pounds and several sizes up all through junior high and high school. so much of who I was got wrapped up in how I looked. I never did like the way I looked.
then I lost weight. I was happy with where I was. lots lighter, and wearing a size 8 jeans. I couldn't have been happier. all the compliments helped - I loved all the positive attention!

then I got pregnant.
now, I know, you're supposed to gain weight when you're pregnant. but it's different when it's you.
my pants started getting tight almost a month ago. I gained about 8 pounds. not much, you may say. but it triggered something in me. my pants weren't fitting right, and I didn't like what I saw in the mirror.
and my identity got wrapped up in that.
or I should say, I realized that it always was wrapped up in my weight. it's just that, when I liked where I was, I didn't think about it so much.

so what do you do about this problem? I know my identity truly is in Christ. nothing else can or should define me. but I let this issue define me. and I don't know how to stop.

so back to Hairspray. it's all about this TV show that's full of in shape white kids who dance super well. by the end, you have Tracy, the short fat girl, as the star of the show. oh, and it ends up being integrated. all races dance together. it's a great story (if a little cheesy in getting there).
and not only that, the hot hunk guy leaves his pretty little blond girlfriend because he falls in love with Tracy's heart.
the whole movie, Tracy had it right. her identity was found in what was in her heart. not in how she looked.

I love that. it's a great lesson. now, I just need to figure out how to apply it!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yeah!!! You are beautiful either way, Sarah Beth! I know that's a little cheezy to say, but it's true, and I understand, 8 pounds may not seem like much, but when it comes to the comfort of your jeans, it can be a big deal! I'm having the same problem!

Anonymous said...

You know I understand. Beautiful girl, I love you!

Anonymous said...

I won't even begin to comment here, but just to say that...I love you and think you're super beautiful (it shines through you)!