Content note: This post includes discussion of postpartum body image and self-worth.

I am not the same size I was prior to having our children. Two babies back to back will do something to your body, and your confidence if we are being honest. I avoid pictures like the plague, I don’t remember the last time I felt secure or comfortable enough in my body to pose for anything more than a shoulder up selfie. As a result, I’m often the one behind the camera instead of in front of it. I take pictures of my husband with our children, our children, with all of their grandparents, but I avoid being next to my babies in a photo. All because I am insecure in my body. It’s selfish when I think about it. I could be robbing our family of photos to look back on because I am afraid of what other people think of me. I let the standards of beauty that society holds discourage my desire to take pictures at some pretty great moments. I thought I was too unattractive, too large. I let myself seek my worth based on my appearance rather than what God says. I didn’t listen to my husband when he told me that he thinks I’m beautiful and strong. I felt shame when looking at myself, rather than awe at what my body has done and continues to do. Today, I was in a picture that I didn’t delete. We were at an apple orchard, and a family offered to take a picture of our family. Instead of protesting, I let them take the picture. Instead of deleting the picture, I sent it. It’s a small step to letting more than my body define me, but it’s something. Whether you feel beautiful or not, take the picture because you are wonderful the way God made you.