Inner beauty may not make a beauty contest judge pick me. But it's the beauty I desire most to have. And the more of  Christ like I become the more I have it. God is not the God of  low self esteem or of  the ugly. No one is ugly who is full of Jesus! 

Prayer Of Thanks For What God Has Made

Thank You Lord for my eyes.

Help them daily You and Your ways to recognize.

Thank You Lord for my face.

May it always reflect Your mercy and grace.

Thank You  Lord for my two hands.

May it always offer help from one who understands.

Thank You Lord for this body of mine.

May it always be an obedient servant of thyne.

Thank You Lord for all of me.

For the parts that man can and can not see.

May it always help others see You.

May it always bring glory to You too. Amen

Mirror, Mirror

As a child I saw the movie Snow White. I still remember the famous line, "Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the fairest of  us all." And of course Snow White was because like the mirror pointed out she had a pure heart and was kind etcetera. Of course Disney gave Snow White a pretty face to go with her pretty inside. The queen had an ugly face to reflect her inside. The things I remember about the queens face that seemed ugly was it's icy cold expression, it's look of  hardness, and those unsmiling  mean lips. I have seen pictures of myself and I know I am no beauty on the outside, also if caught off guard I see I don't smile much. My past has definitely left some marks on me. There are creases at my mouth that always makes me look like I am frowning. People have thought me sad or angry when I wasn't either one because of those creases. If only they knew that most of the time inside lives a happy, joyful, child of God. (I never feel old when I am with God). The creases etched in my face because of my past does not help first impressions. It's only when people get to know me the see that there is a pretty cute little girl stuck in this aging vessel that isn't so cute. But I have become comfortable with my looks over the years. I don't wear make up very often because I like me the way God made me. When I do wear make up or change my hair color it is for fun, to do something girly to give me an emotional lift. Sometimes I do it so my husband doesn't have to look at the same old me everyday. I am not saying my inside is so perfect that my out side should be gorgeous. I am saying that as much of Jesus as I have in me does make me feel pretty and pretty good about myself. I am not righting this as some sort of ego trip. I am writing this remind myself and others, be it man or woman; that God makes good things, beautiful people, handsome people. That to see ourselves and others through God's eyes is to not just see the bad but the good as well. God is the life changer not us. I think it is time I stop picking on  the ugly bad part of  me and start rejoicing in the good, and beautiful part. It wont make me any thinner (I wish it would), or change the lines on my face (well maybe it will soften them a little); but it sure will make me feel pretty. Like the old saying goes, "Pretty is as pretty does and she must do it daily." So if  I want to look my best I must daily apply more of Jesus to my heart, mind, and life; and let Him be the beauty that people see when they look at me. I must remember to check my reflection prayerfully daily in the mirror (the bible).

Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy --meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self--control.  Galatians 5:22, As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. Psalm 17:15, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me. Galatians 2:20, Do not let your beauty be that outward adorning of arranging the hair, of wearing gold, of putting on fine apparel; But let it be the hidden person of the heart, with incorruptible ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4

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