True Beauty
Today’s Truth
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31: 30 TNIV).
Friend to Friend
Our culture is enthralled with the idea of beauty and eternal youth. But what is true beauty? In Experience the Ultimate Makeover, I have included a story by Carla Muir about a cosmetics company that made an important discovery.
A successful beauty product company asked the people in a large city to send pictures along with a brief letter about the most beautiful women they knew. Within a few weeks, thousands of letters were delivered to the company.
One letter in particular caught the attention of the employees, and soon it was handed to the company president. The letter was written by a young boy who was obviously from a broken home and living in a run-down neighborhood. With spelling corrections, an excerpt from his letter read, “This beautiful woman lives down the street from me. I visit her every day. She makes me feel like the most important kid in the world. We play checkers and she listens to my problems. She understands me and when I leave she always yells out the door that she’s proud of me.”
The boy ended his letter saying, “This picture shows you that she is the most beautiful woman. I hope I have a wife as pretty as her.”
Intrigued by the letter, the president asked to see this woman’s picture. His secretary handed him a photograph of a smiling, toothless woman, well advanced in years, sitting in a wheelchair. Sparse gray hair was pulled back in a bun. Wrinkles that formed deep furrows on her face were somehow diminished by the twinkle in her eyes.
“We can’t use this woman,” explained the president, smiling. “She would show the world that our products aren’t necessary to be beautiful.”
The little boy had discovered a valuable truth. Beauty - true beauty - begins on the inside and works its way out. Now, I’m not one to believe in letting my appearance go. You won’t likely catch me without my makeup on. It’s not a pretty picture.
But here’s what we must always remember: no matter how beautiful a person may be on the outside, an ugly soul will always show through. And you know, I’ve never seen a more beautiful group of women than a gathering of girlfriends in God who love Jesus Christ.
And that’s my beauty tip for today!
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Forgive me for complaining about what I see in the mirror. I know that must grieve You deeply. I pray that my life will be so full of You, that people will see Jesus reflected in my very life – that they will see the beauty of Jesus Himself.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Who does
From what you read in the tabloids standing in the grocery store line, are those women happy?
What do you think makes a woman beautiful?
Is there anything in your life that you need to add to your spiritual beauty regiment?
More from the Girlfriends
Beauty truly does begin on the inside and work its way out. For more on how to become spiritually beautiful, see Experience the Ultimate Makeover by Sharon Jaynes. There is also a Bible study guide in the back for a “Deep Cleansing” experience.
Seeking God?
Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Girlfriends in God
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com
Originally published Wednesday, 23 January 2008.
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