Nothing is more attractive than a beautiful heart.
As my family will testify, I am not one to primp. I am always clean and neat, but I do not waste time with makeup except for church or special occasions. I do not dye my hair, paint my face on, or were tight garments to make me look like something I am not. Gravity has been a cruel mistress and has ravaged my body like most people my age. My biggest struggle has been to work on the beauty on the inside. Many times my words of instructions or encouragement are taken as criticism, which of course is never my intent. I have read many self-help books on how to improve communications, so I can say things in a way not to be misunderstood. Few people know this, (because of my overcompensating,) but I am often lacking the self-confidence necessary to be successful in life.
I’m short, my hair is straight as a stick, and I am imperfect in many ways. Because of these feelings I often feel there are not many qualities about me that are very lovable. So I have to remind myself I am perfect in God’s sight he made me just the way he wants me to be. I thank God I have a husband who sees the beauty God created in me, and has for the past 49 years. Is there room for improvement absolutely! And that is something I will continue to work on in all areas of my life, as a friend, a sibling, a wife, a mother, and grandmother. But there’s another thing I have to remember also and that is God’s grace is sufficient for me, I am beautiful and well-loved by God.
As parents we need to teach our children that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And sometimes what the beholder sees is what is radiating from the inside, and not what is seen on the outside. A joyful spirit, a graceful heart, and the love and admonition of Jesus Christ. This is what every parent should want for their child, not pretentious spoiled brats that we enable by giving in to their every whim.
We as authors are guilty of the fact that in magazines and periodicals we have portrayed beauty in an unrealistic light for the average person. Beauty takes many forms, in many people, in many ways. Let’s take off the blinders and let the beauty of people shine in every walk of life.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 1:27
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
We love him, because he first loved us.
I John 4:17-19
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Psalms 31:30
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalms 139:14