A Guest Post by by Teasi Cannon
I am happy to be able to introduce Teasi (Tee-See) Cannon to you. I was privileged to be able to read her book, My Big Bottom Blessing. I found the reading refreshing to my self image. She shares the ‘voices’ that spoke hurtful words to her. I listen to a couple of those voices – when I do – it always sets me up for a pity party day. I vow not to look at Swimming photos that damage my body image this summer, or not for long. The truth is, God created me, as beautiful ~ to my spouse and family ~ and more importantly to Him and for Him. It is my hope that her story blesses you. Without further ado – I introduce – Teasi Cannon ~
One day not long ago I was sweeping my kitchen floor in the near trance-like state of La La Land, when I was jolted to my senses by the precious voice of my 4-year-old nephew saying, “Aunt Teasi, you have a vahwee (very) big butt.”
I set my broom aside, smoothed my shirt, and calmly turned to face him. Bright-eyed and curly-haired, he stood – completely oblivious to the fact that he had said the words no woman ever wants to hear. And then I let him have it. I bent down, coming only inches away from his little round face, and said, “Why…thank you!” Then I smiled big, stood to grab my broom, and returned unscathed to the task at hand.
A few years ago those innocently spoken words would have completely obliterated me, and rather than a thank you, might have actually incited an immature come-back such as: “Oh, yeah? Well, you’re short and you talk funny.”
But now, to the glory of God, moments like that are reminders to me that the miraculous has happened: I no longer hate my body (especially my back side); in fact, it has become one of the biggest blessings in my life.
Like most women (really every woman I’ve ever met), I lived years literally disgusted with what I saw in the mirror. The territory between my ears felt like nothing short of a war zone, with battles being fought everywhere: the bathroom, the grocery store, the bedroom, even church. I could never silence the ambush-ready community of inner critics (those hurtful thoughts we all think) that called my head home. And I missed out on so much: parties I refused to attend because my pants were too tight, dates with my husband because of a few gained pounds, quality time with my kids. I know I’m not alone in this.
We women have been lied to for years. We’ve been told that our value – our very right to be seen and celebrated – is determined by our waist-to-hip ratio or the proportions of our facial features, and that’s just not true. Our value is determined by the only One who really knows it: our God.
After hitting my head hard on the floor of my personal pit of despair, I slowly began my journey toward believing that. One inch at a time of healing, truth, and righteous anger led me to a life-saving realization: All those years I was desperate to change how I looked, God was desperate to change how I see. And He did.
Truth is, if God can make a prostitute the great grandmother of the Messiah, turn water into wine, and make blind men see; don’t you think He can turn a big bottom – or a big nose – or bird-thin legs – or whatever it is you hate – into a blessing. He did it for me, and I’m so ridiculously happy about the journey that I wrote a book about it.
About the Author
Teasi Cannon Teasi (pronounced Tee See) is married to her best friend, Bill Cannon, and they have three awesome children: Carli, Ben, and Sam. Teasi has a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty Theological Seminary, and is a sought-after speaker who loves to help women remember who they are in Christ.
Available on the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook!
I received a free copy of this book from Worthy Publishing to read and share on my blog.
I love this book, and love following this author on Facebook & Twitter. because of her unique perspective on silencing those negative voices in our heads. Rather than just “thinking positive,” she focused on becoming deeply aware of God’s love for her. Knowing she was God’s beloved made it possible for her to love herself.