Redefining Beautiful by Jenna Lucado

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review Redefining Beautiful by Jenna Lucado. It's not often enough that I read a book challenging teenagers to look at beauty differently, to redefine beautiful as "what God sees when God sees you. Although this book was written for teens, I think women of all ages struggle with "ugly days" and insecurities and would be encouraged by reading this. It is funny and insightful and although the subject matter is deep in places, it's an easy read.

Redefining Beautiful has great insights on the connection between a girls self image and her relationship with her dad. Jenna encourages girls to develop healthy relationships with their dads because so much of a girl's view of herself, others and God is shaped by this relationship. The good news is that even if your relationship with your dad isn't all it's cracked up to be, the ultimate relationship is the relationship with your Heavenly Father...God.

I asked my daughter to write down her thoughts on the book and this is what she shared.

For the past couple of weeks I have been reading a book called Redefining Beautiful, by Jenna Lucado with Max Lucado. My overall impression on this book is that it is extremely helpful, especially when times come when you don’t feel beautiful. I love books and I read a lot of them. Many of them have like a lesson learned at the end. But this book is like a guide through life. There are times when someone comments on our looks in a negative way and Redefining Beautiful has the answer.

From my point of view, as a 14 year old, I think there are two main points in this book. Number one: feeling beautiful just the way we are, because God created us in His image. Thinking about that just blows my mind. Number two: having a healthy relationship with our earthly father and our Heavenly Father. Dads are great. And I understand that many girls out there don’t have a father. I feel sad for those girls, but if that’s the case there is always, always our Heavenly Father. And I know that I can trust Him. I didn't grow up with a dad. I was adopted two months before I turned 12. Having a daddy has really changed the way I feel about myself. I have someone who tells me I'm pretty and makes me feel safe. Although I'm adopted, I even look like my daddy. People who don't know I'm adopted tell me all the time that I look like my dad. I am a lot more confident knowing that my dad is around. I don't have to worry about my weight or how I look, I know he loves me no matter what and I know that God is the same way!

I encourage moms out there to read the book and have their daughters read it too! I know it's sparked a lot of really good discussions in our house!


Thanks Jenna Lucado and Thomas Nelson! Keep up the good work!