Beauty

Every where people present their ideas of beauty.  A couple of years ago, Dove had a campaign for real beauty.  I live in London during that time, and at one particular station, their pictures of women from all different walks of life and ages graced the long escalator, asking the question what is beauty and how is it defined.  

In an old painting, an artist portrays his idea of a beautiful idea, but if she walked around today, she would not considered a "hot" or "sexy" woman.  Her belly was not flat, and her eyes were not deeply lined, but her form was considered beautiful.

I made a playlist called "beautiful".  


I do not necessarily want to be "pretty" or "sexy", though at times that is all I focus on.  However, I want to be beautiful.  Having a radiance that transcends the outward wrinkles, gained weight, or the damage night shift has done to my body.  "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", so who is the beholder?  People around me?  My hubby?  Myself?  Or the ultimate Beholder who actual formed me in my mother's womb?  "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:13-14. His definition is different that what I usually strive for.  "But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7.  The heart needs to be beautiful.  hmm...

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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." 

1 Peter 3:3-4  

Oh Lord, give me a gentle quiet spirit.