These days, our culture focuses on appearance. Advertising consistently tells us what we need to wear and suggests anti-aging products and makeup that will supposedly make us beautiful. And charm, well, it can be faked and misleading.
The one thing that never changes though, even though the body ages and charm can disappear, is the beauty, kindness, and love of the woman who loves and fears the Lord. A woman after God's own heart can't help but become more like Him, love more deeply, have more compassion, and have more joy. These things ... they are what true, lasting beauty is made of.
Today's reflection: Proverbs 31 gives us a glimpse of what a Godly woman looks like. She is nurturing, compassionate, helpful, confident, trustworthy, organized, kind and encouraging ... These things, not superficial things are what make us beautiful—if only the world saw it that way, huh. But, what if we started to change the way we look at people. What if we started to look past appearance to see the beauty of the heart, especially the heart that fears and loves the Lord? What if we started to compliment each others godly characteristics instead of outer appearance? It means we will have to take the time to get to know people deeper—it's challenging. It's always easy to say, i love your sweater or blue looks so pretty on you or love that new shade of lipstick. How about, i love how compassionate you are. Your kindness really inspires me. Your joy is contagious...
Today's prayer: Father, sometimes i wonder why i have to hide behind trendy clothes and makeup when you created me to just be me, the one you beautifully knit in my mother's womb. i wonder why i just can't be satisfied with the beauty within myself. i desire to see beauty the way You see it, Lord ... in myself and in others. Help me to not be influenced by the culture and suggestive advertising as i focus less on me and on more of You. Because, You are the One true source of lasting beauty!
For more wisdom, read Proverbs chapter 31.
