Friday, October 06, 2006
You Are Beautiful
I'm not sure exactly why Susie thought I was worthy of being a gobulous hottie. I'm not into the whole glam thing. Sure I wear clothes that fit and are in style... I think. And I try to fix up my hair and cover my zits. But I prefer the more natural look. So I wondered what on earth can I contribute to this blog? And this is what I want to share....
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV
I grew up thinking I was literally the ugliest girl in all the earth. All I ever wanted was to be like the pretty girls. When my husband would tell me I was beautiful I didn't believe him. I just felt so plain. My forehead was too big. I have freckles. My eyelashes were not long enough. And my hair! It was red! I felt bad for desiring this so much. I felt like I must get rid of this vanity and pride in me. I was ashamed of it!
Until one day, we were camping by a beautiful pristine lake. Every day I would grab a book and set up my hammock between two trees near the edge of the lake. Everywhere my eye could see was beauty. Sapphires, and emeralds danced on the shimmering lake as the water soothed my tired soul. Gorgeous sunsets made my heart sing for joy. Diamond stars sparkled in the black velvet sky. I felt like God was wooing me closer to him through the beauty of this glorious land. And I saw a God who loves beautiful things. I suddenly realized that God put the desire in us to be beautiful. This desire is a GOD thing, because God IS beauty! God has a purpose for beauty. When we see beautiful things it brings us joy. It is calming.
The beauty of a woman is far more than hair, nails and pretty clothes. Beauty is the very essence of her. It is what radiates from within. When a woman is filled with the Holy Spirit she will take on a glow that money cannot buy, that no pharmaceutical company can ever hope to imitate! When a woman knows deep within her very being, that God thinks she is beautiful, and He sees her as worthy, she exudes a sense of calm and confidence that is soothing to those around her. She radiates peace, love and joy so that others can breathe the fresh air of the love of God.
Lord, I want to stop striving and just let Your beauty flow out of me that the world will see You.
