Dec. 8, 2005 - The True Beauty of a Woman...
I don't know any girls or women who would say that they believe that beauty is merely "skin-deep." We all know that it doesn't matter what you look like, but rather it's what in your heart that counts...
...right?
Well, I wonder why it is that we women SAY we believe beauty comes from the INSIDE and yet spend countless hours a day devoted to our OUTWARD appearance?
We fluff, primp, curl, straighten, clip, tweeze, dab, daub, blob, blot, powder, and apply all sorts of things in front of our mirrors in the morning, making sure we look "just right." 
And how much time do we spend on our inner beauty? Do we make time in our busy schedules for Jesus every day? Are the words we speak kind and considerate of others? Do we build people up when we are around them, or do we tear them down? Are we striving to follow Christ in everything we do?
I read this not long ago and thought it was put quite nicely...
"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman
With passing years -- only grows."
Or, as it says in God's Word (even better!)...
"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.
For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their trust in God
used to make themselves BEAUTIFUL."
- 1 Peter 3:3-5 (NIV)
May we adorn our hearts with Christ-like beauty daily...
the kind that won't fade with age!
