True Beauty

My husband and I watched a old movie the other night called, "She Done Him Wrong." The film was in black and white, set in the 30's. Mea West played Lady Lou, a woman that every man in the movie seemed to desire. She knew how beautiful she was and used it to her advantage. What I noticed was that although she had a thin waist, she was very curvaceous. Her arms weren't toned and muscular and her body shape was a distinct hour glass. Her face was pretty but by today's standard, average. Nowadays, she would have been cast as the maid servant, not the leading role.
I watched a movie last night with a friend: Eat Pray Love. Although the main character made a few decisions I would disagree with morally, she gave another woman some amazing advice while eating pizza in Italy. The other woman was too afraid to eat the pizza because she'd already gained 10 pounds and had produced a "muffin top." The main character said that men aren't as critical as we think. Once naked, they really don't notice. We should enjoy what we eat without guilt.

Confession time: I obsess about my looks too much. This last week, my nose contained a massive zip. I was starting to think I had a nose tumor until it finally popped (gross, I know). I really didn't want to leave the house. I was self-conscience every time I looked in the mirror. It's silly since I've already won my guy. Jon isn't going to divorce me over a pimple. So who do I need to be physically beautiful for?

The answer to the question is not God. God does not care what I look like. That's a lie. He cares that I'm modest and he took great care and consideration when molding me. When I gaze at myself in the mirror, I insult God every time I make a face in disapproval. I'm criticizing God's creation. He crafted my short torso, my long(ish) legs, my oval face and short stature. He shaped my arms and waist and hips.  When I'm discontent with my body, it's like going to a art show and curling my nose at a painting in front of the artist. How rude! The only thing the Bible tells us to do with our bodies is to make it pure and holy and use it as God's temple, a living sacrifice. Many interrupt these scriptures to say we must eat right and exercise and not smoke so we are healthy and fit for God's work. I agree with that, but healthy and gorgeous are not synonyms.

I, and those of you who are weak in this as well, need to focus on our inner beauty, not the outward shell.
I Peter 3:3-4 says, "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." 1 Timothy 2:10 tell us to adorn ourselves with good deeds.
Let's face it, 40 years down the road, without taking serious and costly meaures, my skin won't be firm. My face will have wrinkles. My makeup with look funny on my drooping eyelids. My body will ache. But 40 years from now, my good deeds will be just as good. The lives I touch will still be touched. The love I share will still be alive and flowing.

When (not if) you're down, listen to this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ks3R2BwyO0