When we root out desires to be fitter or look better than other moms around us, we are free to celebrate and steward our bodies for their designed purpose—bringing glory to God.

Stewarding our bodies for the glory of God and love of others requires wisdom, discipline, and dependence on the Lord throughout the changing seasons of motherhood.

Our joyful movement as moms is a means of imaging the Giver of life and breath, stewarding our minds and bodies well, and blessing the people around us.

The gospel gives us new eyes to appreciate the bodies God has given us, no matter what they look like or how they function.

We may not be able to change some aspects of our postpartum bodies, but the gospel can change how we think about them and help us embrace intimacy with our husbands.

Editor’s Note: This article addresses struggles and tensions that can arise, even in otherwise "healthy" marriages. Its encouragements are best read with discernment and consideration of your unique situation. If abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) or other illegal or illicit behavior is occurring in your marriage, please tell someone and reach out for counsel and/or professional intervention. 

There’s good news for our postpartum bodies—we can look to Christ, not the mirror, to see what really makes us beautiful.

Gaining and losing nearly 140 lbs. in the span of four years, well, that'll do a number on your body. 

After every baby, at about four weeks post-partum, I've looked longly at my pre-baby jeans and wondered why I ever thought I wasn't skinny enough. I looked at the width of the leg opening, the number on the tag and I prayed that, 1) someday I'd fit into them again, and 2) if I do, that I'd actually appreciate it and love my body for it.