True Beauty

I have a confession to make. Don't act surprised. I know you have done the sane thing. I fell for the “look younger and lose fifty pounds overnight” ads on late night television, Ladies, if these products delivered what the ads claim, we would never look our age or let that last brownie settle on our hips.

Well, I did some math and according to my calculations, I could look like I did in high school. OK maybe an older college graduate.

This is fabulous, I thought to myself as I planned how many years how many pounds I wanted to drop. I began to fantasize about all the fun I could have and how wonderful I would look.

I ordered the miracle potions and waited impatiently for them to arrive. Finally, the magical day arrived when this wonderful package came in the mail. Now to begin my wonderful transformation! I eagerly swallowed the weight loss pill and could almost feel the weight melting off. While the weight fell off I lathered the miraculous cream all over my body. I could hardly wait until the next morning when I just knew I would be a magnificent creature. I went to bed with wonderful visions in my head.

Well, the next morning I was a creature all right. But I wouldn't call it magnificent. My face was swollen and had a hideous itchy rash. I looked more like a monster from some low budget horror movie than the beautiful butterfly I had envisioned.

At least my family got a good laugh when they saw my red blotchy face and my husband did ask if I felt like grocery shopping today and running a few errands for him. I will not tell you what I said but let's just say, he did not ask me to do anything else. I did manage to drive myself to the doctor. After a gasp-either fear or not so successful attempt to stifle a laugh, he looked at the bottle I held in my hand and after reading the ingredients he informed me I was suffering an allergic reaction to the oils in the concoction. He prescribed a cream to use on my face and a pill for the swelling. So now, I was still taking a pill to help me lose weight and a cream to erase flaws in my skin. However, this time I just wanted to return to my “old average looking me.”

I did not want to show mu face in public until I returned to normal so I had plenty of time to meditate and think about my situation. One day while I was having my devotional and “ God time”, I read what Peter had to say about beauty. Beauty comes from character. It does not depend on outward ornaments or flash jewelry but inner beauty that is seen in love, kindness, compassion and a gentle spirit. Wow! What an eye opener that was. I then realized that I had been racing against the clock and calendar trying to outrun wrinkles, middle age spread and gray hair. I had forgotten that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God created us in His image. Other people might see our imperfections and think less of us but when God looks at us us He sees us through the blood of His son and sees the perfection that only His love can bring. If we focus on His love for us instead of our reflections in the mirror we can smile and put beauty in its proper perspective.

We have all heard the expression, “beauty is only skin deep but ugly goes all the way to the bone.” That is true. When you have a beautiful face but a cold and uncaring heart, it is reflected in your face and makes you ugly. Likewise, when your face is not as beautiful as you would like and you have a loving and caring heart, that is reflected in your face and makes you glow with beauty. True beauty of a woman can be found in her heart.

I have found that times I spend with my Father make me glow from the inside. This inner beauty will last long after my outward beauty has faded. This really makes me feel better. I am glad that these itchy blotches won't last forever but that as long as I live I am beautiful in my Father's eyes. I know He loves me no matter what I look like. He made me the way I am and I am made in His image. In Proverbs we read that “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears God will be praised.
I have decided that instead of looking to a miracle pill or wonder lotion, I will bask in God's beauty treatment of confession, repentance and the warmth of His love. I will relax in the rejuvenating messages of His word.

Whenever I look at my reflection in the mirror and see my gray hair and wrinkles, I will know that these are visible signs of my human frailties and reminders to depend on Him instead of the world's idea of perfection.

Today's Whisper:

Have you fallen into the trap of society's idea of beauty? Remember, God made you in His image.

Rejoice and thank Him for making you unique and set apart from every other woman in this world. Remember, beauty is fleeting but God's love in your heart will make your inner beauty shine for all the world to see.

Today's Prayer:

Father, I thank you for making me unique. I know you made us in your image and created us to be beautiful in your eyes. I thank you that you do not look on outward beauty but look at the inner beauty that your love brings. I praise you and love you.

I'm Growing Down

That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried with every wind of doctrine but may grow up in all things into Him who is the the head—Christ. Ephesians 4:14,15.

Recently my granddaughter completed kindergarten. Although she should have been happy and excited about entering first grade in the fall, she went around the house with a very sad look on her face. Instead of celebrating the end of the school year with her friends, she proclaimed, “I want to stay in kindergarten!” Needless to say, this took me by surprise but Tori refused to explain to me what she meant by that statement. One night after reading a story together and saying our prayers I again brought up the subject of going into first grade. “Aren't you excited about going into first grade in the fall?” “No Nanny I am not. I want to stay in kindergarten for the rest of my life.” Now this was not exactly what I expected to hear. My son and daughter were glad to be one of the big kids so they could be one of the old timers at school and the envy of the little kids in kindergarten.

After recovering from the shock of Tori's remarks I attempted to explain to her that we all graduate from one stage in life to another. I went on to tell how each stage is built upon the last stage to help us grow. Imagine my shock when she looked at me with tears running down her face and said, “Nanny I know but growing up is so scary.”

I hugged her to me and brushed the tears from eyes and sighed. She was right—growing up is scary. I was at a tonal loss for words of comfort until I had an idea (a brilliant idea for me). “Listen, honey,” I gently began. “ I know growing up is hard but I am growing older too and that is scary for me too.”

“Wow!” I thought to myself. “This is brilliant.” So I continued. “You know growing up can be fun. Just think of all the new things you are going to learn. You will make new friends and have so much fun. But I am growing older and won't be able to do as many things as I once did. That is what makes growing old scary for me.”
After I had finished explaining this to her, I congratulated myself on my new found wisdom. I sat back, kissed her cheek gently and asked her if she understood what I was saying. With solemn eyes she replied, “Yeah, I think so.” Then her blue eyes widened with understanding and a smile crossed her face. “I understand, Nanny,” she exclaimed with a leap into my arms. “I'm growing up sand you are growing down.” Wow! Out of the mouths of babes. I had not thought of it quite that way but she was absolutely right. I am “growing down.” I used to be able to mow my lawn, clean my house completely and still practice baseball with the kids. Now if I can make sure the house is clean enough not to be condemned by the health officials I congratulate myself on making it through another week.

This sobering conversation with Tori caused me to reflect on my life. I was reminded of the challenges I have faced in my life. Some of these challenges left me feeling overwhelmed and confused about the meaning of my life. I never doubted God's love but I did doubt my ability to stand on my own two feet. I realized that these challenges have made me stronger and wiser. I would not be the person I am today without these experiences. I realized that God had not let me down but had held me up during these trying times.

I might be growing down in the physical realm. But I know God is “growing me up” with His love and grace. He is always with me each day to give me the wisdom and strength I need to fulfill His purpose in my life.

As I thought back on my life span, I began to realize that we should not just grow down physically but we should always strive to grow up in Him. To grow up in the Lord is something we should all do whether we are young or old. I hope that I able to helpTori grow in her relationship with God and always look to Him for her strength.

Yes Tori, growing up can be scary but with God holding our hands, there is nothing we cannot do. I want you to remember that God will grow us to be the people He intends for us to be if we only believe that everything is possible with Him and He promises us life that is eternal and abundant.

Today's Whisper:

As we grow older we might find we are slowing down. Journal about how you feel about aging. What can you not do that you could in your younger days? It has been said that with age comes wisdom. Do you feel this is true and think about whether you would rather be older and wise or if this is a fair comparison.

Today's Prayer:

Father, I come before you today with a thankful heart that you are still working on me and haven't given up on me. You are always here with me to help me grow in your knowledge and grace. I ask that as the days and years pass I can look to you and know that you are still molding me into the woman you want me to be. I may be growing older in earthly years but I ask for your wisdom and grace each and every day that I have left on this earth.