Unfading Beauty
Originally written 2/28/08

Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3: 3-4 HCSB)

As we season, we take a glimpse in the mirror. There is a bit more grey aligning the temples or lines around the eyes we have never noticed. Our bodies have taken on shapes, which is not in our favor. We tend to reach out for our pillows each night, drifting off knowing the morning will come soon. The morning light beams through and we long for the days before our natural clock began waking us up. Just a few more zzzz’s and I will be rearing go.
No matter what your biological age states, (take a look on your driver’s license), if you forgot, we have nothing on Noah.
So Noah's life lasted 950 years; then he died. Genesis 9:29.
Can you even imagine? We can also look at Adam and Methuselah. They lived to be in the 900’s as well. Talk about a stiff back, creaking knees and joints.
We take a look around our home, remembering when we used to be our teenager’s age, wondering where did the time go. What happened to me? We wonder, what happened to my youthful self.
Too often we put authority on our outside appearance. Our looks and our appearance seem be our entire make up. The clothes make the man. A certain overly priced cut of jeans is a must. The abs can use more core training. We dare not step out until our makeup is perfectly spackled.

No matter what we use to cover up the lines or darken the grey, we can’t cover up what is on the inside. God isn’t impressed that we own every gadget known to man. With today’s technology, it’s hard not to imagine Twittering or texting, but we don’t need either to stay in contact with the Creator of all things. The most expensive or dazzling jewelry won’t get us into Heaven. To out sparkle the next person doesn’t make us stand out more than another. We tell ourselves that over extending self with extravagant accessories will somehow fill a void. God’s love and knowing, His son, Jesus, can only fill the void.
Yes, God wants us to take care of ourselves. By taking care of our physical, spiritual and mental health, our outside appearance will take care of itself. Aging will come, regardless how we protest the process. Remember, God sees our beauty from the inside. It is our gentle, quiet spirit that is beautiful in God’s eyes. Whenever you take another look through your tired eyes or try rubbing the lines away, embrace ALL God has given you. The ways of the world change, as do we, yet God is forever unchanging.

I think your whole life shows in your face and you should be proud of that. -Lauren Bacall-

Rest for the Weary

Rest for the Weary

April 16, 2009


Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall. But the people who trust the LORD will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.

Isaiah 40: 30-31


I’m not alone when describing that deep, agitated, bone-tired feeling. It’s the beat down, total exhausted emotion. It’s the end of the day; all I can do is edge into my bed, anticipating a restful sleep. We have nothing left in our tanks; even the reserves are empty. Fatigue as become a common factor in our life.

The added pressures and agendas far out weigh our sense of balance. The threat of loosing our job hovers over our shoulder, so we dare not relax at the work place. A loved one has taken ill. We spend our energies, becoming a caregiver, while still tending to our own family and home. Our family needs are continuous, as we manage the daily emotional or physical needs. We spend any extra time fulfilling our sense of duty in our Father’s house. We strive for a better church so we continually give where God leads. We juggle our lives between studies, work, home, and church.

We begin to question everything. We begin to wonder, am I making the best decisions? Where are the answers? I don’t see a light yet, am I getting near? With each passing day, we find ourselves struggling, trying to keep up. We may even dread what a new day brings because the same days have replayed it’s self over and over. Our body aches, as does our mind; even our spirit aches.

Still with everything we go through, everything we endure, we wouldn’t change a thing. For as difficult as it all seems, the journey is not taken without God. The exhaustion is overwhelming, still we continue to exercise our trust in God and put our faith in Him. The endurance we develop, the knowledge we inherit, and the wisdom we embrace is given to us through His grace. God uses these times to teach, as we become His students, His disciples.

Thank you God for my brothers and sisters in Christ, offering support and prayer. Thank you for my family that stands beside me, lending help where it is needed. Thank you for the friends that have become family as each supply me with inspiration. Thank you God, for sustaining me through the hard times. Thank you for helping me to soar, where I never thought I could. Thank you for helping me to reach dreams that I never thought I would accomplish. Thank for giving me the courage to take on another day, fully depending on you. You give me all the help and strength I need. You give me wings.