Hi friends. Welcome to Day 5 of Making Small Changes. (To see what it’s all about, click here.)
These girls. I love them so much. And already I am thinking about how they will be as teenagers. How I want them to pursue inner beauty instead of acclaim for their outer beauty. (Which as their mama, I do believe they possess some of that as well!)
This got me thinking a lot this past week. As women in this culture, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements to look better, be skinnier, and appear younger than we really are. Constantly. There is a multi-billion dollar beauty industry.
And I love getting prettied up for my man. Every woman I know likes a sincere compliment from the people in our lives. But really, in the grand scheme of things, this massive effort some of us put into our beauty regiment is so unimportant! It won’t lead souls to Christ. It won’t feed the poor. It won’t make our children happier.
I want my girls to have a healthy view of outer beauty. Because it could all go away in an instant. A car wreck. A fire. Whatever. But nothing can take away the work we put into our hearts, unless we let it. So. Am I modeling this concept to them? Do I put more focus on my face and clothing size- or whatever it is that distracts me- than my heart? This doesn’t even necessarily mean pursuing beauty.
Ladies? Let’s examine our hearts, our inner beauty, each day, before we scrutinize ourselves in the mirror. Ask God to show you what he would have you weed out. I am going to join this challenge with you. Because honestly, most days, the first thought on my mind is what I am going to wear for the day (At least before kids it was. ha!). What the kids will eat for breakfast? What 1389382083 things do I have to do today?
But really, what I should do is ask God what he would have me do that day. Check my heart to see if my motives in pursuing my activities are pure and God-honoring. If they will have eternal significance.
Join me in this challenge, will you? And let me know how it goes.
PS- can I let you in on a little secret? He makes ALL things beautiful in his time. I can’t wait!
About Kelli Hays
I’ll join you! All too often I tell God what I”m going to do, rather than ask God what he wants ME to do. Thanks for the reminder to check my heart before I check my mirror.
What a great point, Kelli! I love this post.
What an eye-opener for me this morning,Kelli! I am going to do this with you. Being a plus-sized woman, worrying about how I look on the outside, always seems to take first place. Instead, I should not worry about that, and ask God what I should do today. Thank you for the gentle reminder of what’s really important!
Well said Kelli! Love you! You’re beautiful inside and out!
Kelli,
The truth of your words is what every woman needs to know! That’s been the struggle of my life, with having my face reconstructed as a child. God is the artist and we are His masterpiece. But His true artistry, beyond the outer appearance, is how He shapes us into who He wants us to be. 🙂