Beauty Uncovered

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, am I as beautiful as them all?  When I was a little girl, I remember standing on the toilet in the bathroom looking in the mirror. I locked the door behind me, and grabbed my mothers make up bag. Starring deeply into the mirror I began to ask the question that all girls ask at some point in their lives. Am I beautiful? There was a tube of red lipstick inside, and I remember painting my lips with the precise expertise of a young woman of about 8. I was always fascinated with colors, make up, and hairspray. I would twist my long hair up and then let it fall. Admiring myself for what seemed like hours, I would sing the song, Fame! I know you probably have never heard of that song. It made me feel like I could be a dancer , a lovely ice skater, or even Wonder Woman. I always wanted a pair of my own Wonder Woman underwear.  I was for sure my life would change if I had a pair of those. I would hear my mother call me, and ask what I was doing in there. NOTHING MOM!!! I frantically wiped off the lipstick, but I still wondered about the girl in the mirror. Who was she? Was she beautiful? 

BEAUTIFUL

When you hear that word, BEAUTIFUL, what do you feel? What do you think beautiful is? Are you beautiful?  There is no one around and this is not a quiz; you do not have to give me the right answer. I think we all know the right answers. We are all well rehearsed, and IF this was a quiz, we would all get an A. Here is a right answer...It's the inside that counts. Yet, in 2012 according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery,"Over 10 million surgical and non surgical procedures were performed in the United States." The top most popular procedure was breast augmentation. Cosmetic procedures have increased 250% since 1997! In 2012 of women 18 and under the top procedures were ear, nose, and breast surgery. Did you hear me?? Women 18 and younger!! One in 200 women suffer from anorexia. It is estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating disorder.  This is staggering to me. Despite the right answers, there is something very wrong. Some how we have become a Shallow Hal society with our fantasies and dreams of what a beautiful women is. 

Psalm 139:14

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Do you know full well that you have been wonderfully made? Or when you look in the mirror do you see a Picasso type image that you think no one can make heads or tails of...especially you! Do you post selfie type pictures on Facebook, and Instagram titled...BORED...when what you might really be asking is...Am I beautiful?  Like the little girl (me) standing on the toilet admiring and scanning herself for beauty do you wonder...Does anyone notice me? Am I worthy?  Do you find yourself striving to measure up to some standard that you can never seem to quite catch up to? Or maybe you try not to look in the mirror at all because you hate what you see? Maybe you try to cover up with over sized clothes because you hate your shape. Maybe you have decided a long time ago your not the pretty girl, and so you quit caring...or so you hope everyone believes. Some of us may even feel offensive and like the ugly duckling.  Are you at peace in your own skin or do you covet your sisters, friend, or neighbors skin? I have decided to begin to look for beauty everyday in others and in myself.  Just this week, I sat with my grandmother who is in her eighties. She has the loveliest blue eyes. I was drawn to the beauty that is in her. She is a woman that loves Jesus, and despite the storms of life she has stood. When I think of what kind of woman I want to be I think of a generous, kind, soft hearted, lovely soul that is flourishing. A woman in love with Jesus, and governed by His ways. I think of a woman that rises to the calling on her life. I think of women in my life that I admire, and all of them in different seasons, and they are breathtaking.   God has a way of making us beautiful. How beautiful it is to see a woman that knows who she is and what she is called to do. That is so beautiful. 

1 Peter 3:3-4

"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."

I want to be beautiful...and I know you do too.  I want to be a woman that is flourishing.  I want to grasp onto everything that God has for my life. I choose to be a woman that rises up to her calling and walks with freedom. How about you? I pray that today, you will be able to look yourself in the mirror and see the beautiful woman you really are! Today despite all the right answers... I pray that God will get to your heart and sink His unconditional love and acceptance into your spirit. I encourage you to look for the beauty around you and in you. Do not go to Cosmopolitan for the answer. You do not have to play the LMS (like my status) game for a rate on Facebook. May you know instead, that your inner beauty and your heart is of great worth to God. It does not fade, and it is lasting. Today, take some time to engage in the presence of God, he is bringing forth your true beauty.