Customer Reviews

Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees You

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When I received the book, I expected the theme to be along the lines of, "Christians shouldn't think of beauty the way the world does, we should be modest and less concerned about appearances." While all this is true, I was pleasantly surprised that Miss Lucado went further than this. When she talks about "redefining beautiful" she really wants girls to think about what really makes a girl beautiful - what's on the inside.

She calls these things on the inside which make girls beautiful "Life Accessories," such as "Security - trusting that no matter what, we have a God who loves us" and "Peace - in believing God is in control." These life accessories are what makes us attractive to others no matter what kind of clothes we wear.

The most important theme of her book is that the foundational beauty secret is a father's love, both earthly and heavenly. A girl with an earthly father who shows his daughter love, spends time with her, and teaches her to love God will be infinitely more likely to be filled with these life accessories. But even a great earthly father isn't perfect, and ultimately we all must look to our heavenly father as the source of our inner beauty. Miss Lucado also points out that this is even more important for girls whose dads are either non-existent or are abusive.

She also touches on boys, friends, authority figures, and modesty. I appreciated her approach to the modesty issue. It's easy to make a list about what is acceptable and what isn't, but she encourages her reader to think of two things when dressing: would God approve and will it tempt boys to think about things they shouldn't. She is also quite emphatic about letting boys take the lead in the relationships - they should do the approaching, the asking out, and discourages girls from flirting.

While the book was written for teens, the tone is often a bit condescending. Though Miss Lucado is evidently in her early 20s, she just tries a little too hard to be"hip" sounding, to talk in language a teen would talk. As a result, I think it would be best for the younger end of the age range as I doubt high school kids would respond to the tone. For instance she call calls Ishmael "Ishy" and the apostles "a group of guys Jesus hung out with."

I also think this book would be best used as a discussion tool with your daughter. There are several instances where the author asks her readers to make lists and to write certain things down. I think most girls wouldn't do this unless forced to, but I think an even better idea would be to use these as discussion points with your daughter. This would also give home schooling moms like me a chance to explain what she means when she talks about throwing on clothes and rushing out the door to first period.

The biggest drawback to the book is that while the truths are simple, they aren't delved into deeply. For instance, she does a good job of pointing out that we are valuable to God, called his children, etc. However, though she is evidently writing to believers, she fails to develop this idea of our identity in Christ, that when God looks at us, He sees Christ.

If you have a daughter that is struggling with insecurities about her looks and who she is, this could be used as a starting point of some good discussions. Just be prepared to delve deeper into some areas she glosses over.

I was recently sent a copy of the book Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees You by Jenna Lucado and her dad, renowned author Max Lucado. Jenna relates to the reader by sharing stories of her teen years and empathizes with the reader. She discusses boys, friends, and the way the media portrays young women. While the book is designed for tween and teenage girls, as an adult woman, I also found great value in it. The book speaks to the reader as a friend and even has spaces for the reader to record thoughts and feelings in response to questions asked by the author. Jenna talks about the pressures of friends, boys and even media to look a certain way. She talks about the need for a strong relationship with your father. But wait...there are lots of girls today who do not live with their fathers, or have fathers who are emotionally distant or abusive, and some who do not even know who their fathers are. Does this mean they are doomed to never feel beautiful? Absolutely not! Jenna goes on to explain that our Heavenly Father loves us as we are. She encourages the reader to focus on what He finds beautiful in each of us and to let that define how we see ourselves. We can constantly be improving our physical look through diet and make up, but even those who are deemed most beautiful by the world, are often unhappy with their looks. True beauty can only come from within and this book does a great job of helping young girls to realize this. It acknowledges a young girls desire to be viewed as popular and attractive, but it gently reminds the reader that as a daughter of God, she will always be beautiful in His eyes.

I recommend Redefining Beautiful: What God Sees When God Sees You for any young woman who has even the slightest relationship with God. The author "chats" with the reader as a friend would, speaking at the right age level. It will likely help the reader develop her relationship with both her earthly father and her Heavenly Father as well as help her to become more comfortable with who she is. The teen years are tough, especially on young girls. Developing self confidence is essential to making it through and this book will help them do just that.

This one of the best books for teen girls that has come out in a long time. As a youth pastor and a father of a daughter I am always looking for books that will relate to girls. There is another author in the Lucado family?! Jenna really is able to connect with young girls. She offers great truths that really focus on God's glory. The book is very practical and easy for young ladies to read and understand. I will buy many of these books for my ministry.

Have you had an easy life with a loving father? This book is for you. Have you had a hard life with a mean father? This book is for you. Have you floated along, with ups and downs? This book is for you!

Jenna discusses how our earthly father affects our lives, and especially our view of our Heavenly Father. She also shows how that can change if the view we get is negative, by spending time with our "Heavenly Dad."

This is very much a reader-participation book, and it is a good thing. She covers both good and bad aspects of every girl's life and discusses how her life is affected by these things.

The only thing I didn't like was that she uses a variety of Bible translations. I prefer to use the King James Version exclusively, and she does not. Not a deal-breaker for this book, but just a preference of mine.

I especially enjoyed Jenna's comments on adoption, where she talks about how birth can be "unplanned" but there is no way for an adoption to be unplanned, therefore it is an excellent analogy for what God does with us. We cannot "accidentally" join God's family - it is planned, and we are loved!

"Beautiful" is redefined according to how GOD sees us - not how others see us. And this is an excellent thing for all our daughters to learn.

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Redefining Beautiful by Jenna Lucado
Thomas Nelson Publisher
ISBN: 13-978-1400314287
It's been a while but I finally pried this book from my niece! Jenna Lucado writes in an accessible style and makes it easy for young girls to relate and empathize with; she does it in a simple and direct manner and addresses issues that even I as an adult woman can use! Her style is so universal, she had me remembering my teen years and how I wish I'd have had a book like this. It really would have made a difference in my life I believe and brought me a closer relationship with God. There were some areas that could have been expanded upon, but overall Lucado does a great job and I personally would love to see a continuation or second book to address them.
I loved the comparisons between earthly and heavenly fathers and again made me wish for this book early in my life! One thing I especially loved was the quizzes! They were interesting, on the mark, and thoughtful and in my opinion encourage young girls to re-evaluate and take stock of their priorities of what it really means to be beautiful!
On a last note, I would truly truly love to see boy's version of this book--perhaps on what it really means to be a man!

Having grown up without a father in my home or in my life, parts of this book really touched me in a deep place. It said to me some of the things I wished somebody would have told me during my teenage and my very early adult years.

This book has short, uplifting chapters that could lead to discussions between parents and teens who choose to read it together. Lots of opportunities to instill your own values and thoughts from your own beliefs.... And gives a chance to be encouraging and positive about choices and changes.

I believe it is mainly aimed at middle school age even though I did share it with my high school aged daughter. Her one criticism is that some of the chapters seemed to be "feelgood fluff" and lacked the depth she thought girls needed at her age, but would be fine for a girl headed into puberty or headed into a new life situation or undergoing some kind of change in circumstances.

I read it and I really now know that I am Beautiful! Just the Way I AM!
Ever since I started the drum my mom,dad, and my drum teacher have told me that I am really good. But I never really believed it.
No I DO! I know I am good (I try not to brag)!

I think this is a wonderful book for teenagers. I have self-esteem issues, and it did help me a bit to consider the author's suggestions, but they were things I had already tried myself. I am 36, I believe this book was written for someone between the ages of 18-25.
It is very scriptural and casual at the same time.

I bought this book for my 11 year old granddaughter. It is really a fine book for young girls. It should be in every girls' library from the age of 14 and up. My 11 year old is still a little young, but I am saving it for her. It speaks to young women in such a down to earth way, it's not preachy, just honest and open from one girl to another. I was so impressed. I'm planning to give it to my friends with teenage girls. It is definitely a DON'T MISS.

Jenna Lucado uses humor that will appeal to the teen/college age group. In each chapter, she includes some questions for deeper thought and self-awareness. There are quizzes and suggested Bible readings as well. There is also a section called "Beauty Tip" in each chapter that addresses true, Biblical beauty, not merely what the world expects. Max Lucado contributes sidebars throughout the book and each chapter ends with a prayer.

The book also emphasizes the importance of a father's role in shaping a girl's identity and self-esteem. Personally, I think this can't be stressed enough. Girls will look to their earthly father to see a reflection of their heavenly Father, so men must be aware of their role in this relationship. Ideally, all men would step up to that responsibility, but the book also admits that that isn't always the case. Girls are encouraged to find comfort and confidence in God.

I recommend giving this book to your teen daughter as a way to open up some honest discussions with her about the true definition of beauty, including modesty and purity.