Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes

Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes is an incredible book written by a truly extraordinary woman. I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Kole in Minneapolis when she was speaking at the University of Minnesota. In her novel, she not only speaks to women dealing with self-image issues but to men alike. She stresses the fact that we are "Christ-esteemed," not self-esteemed, through God. The Biblical references in this novel are the backbone that make it real and a necessity to read. I now view myself with greater confidence--not by the world's standard, but by God's beautiful acceptance and love.

I generally do not read books by and for young women, but this particular book was referred to me for the benefit of my niece, who suffers from an overweight problem, as many other Americans do also. In the land of affluence, an abundance of food has created an abundance of overeaters. Or, maybe, it is that in a society which emphasizes personal appearance, there is a dearth of self esteem, because many of us just do not measure up to the icons presented to us on television. My niece is a bright, hard working, lovable, overweight, unmarried, single Mom, and as the Spanish in my society say, "soltera sin compromiso!" Single, with no prospects! To put it bluntly, she has low self esteem, caused probably at first by feeling the self inflicted guilt of single parenthood and exacerbated by overeating, and its consequent results. Although Ms. Kole herself approaches the problem from the perspective of a borderline anorexic, Stacey Kole has written a book for my niece. The book, in a straight forward, easy and confident manner, in a series of step by step lessons, focuses attention away from worship of the outward appearance and upon the worship of God. When people get their eyes off themselves and upon God, maybe they will see that there is a God, that He loves us, and really is interested in our lives, "Just as I am!" And when we see ourselves as God sees us, then maybe we can realize that there is hope and promise. If God be for us, who can be against us! Our society is in a battle to disassociate itself from anything that appears to be religious. It is refreshing to read a book that redirects our attention to the Creator. I recommend it to parents, school teachers, Sunday School teachers, youth counsellors, and to any other persons who live and work with young women, or men.