I have run into the same vehicle a handful of times over the past 5 or 6 months on my way into the office. She must work down the road from me and, as coincidence would have it, I have ended up behind this vehicle on a few separate occasions. I remember this vehicle because there is script on the back of it that says something to the effect of: “Want to look younger in just 10 minutes…ask me how” and then it lists her phone number. When I first saw this, naturally I was curious enough to want to catch a glance at the driver, to see just exactly what she was ‘selling’. Of course I was expecting to see a young, beautiful woman who looked like she had just stepped off the pages of the latest fashion magazine. Imagine my surprise, when my eyes met up with a middle aged woman with yellow, leathery skin and a cigarette hanging from her lips. As I stifled a laugh, I thought to myself that indeed this could not be the person at the helm of this small business enterprise, surely she must be borrowing the vehicle? As I said, I have run into her on a couple other occasions, most recently just this morning. It has been several months since I have seen her though so as I pulled up behind her at the stoplight, I thought to myself that perhaps she had quit smoking at least. No sooner had I completed that thought than I saw her reach up to her window to deposit cigarette ashes. Nope, guess not. (disclaimer: For any smokers reading this, I hope you won’t take offense, but I do hope you will take notice)!
This got me to thinking about the aging process and just how much we do, especially as women, to try to defy it…to work against the clock. I will admit to having started to color my hair and use an anti-aging product, but I am approaching 40 VERY quickly. In any case, I have always chosen to reflect on who God made me to be, to focus on the inward beauty as much, if not more, than the outward beauty. And to serve as a reminder to me, and all of you reading as well, here is how God views His creation:
Psalm 45:11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.
Song of Solomon 4:7 All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you.
Ezekiel 16:14 And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.
1 Peter 3: 3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and 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.
May God bless you all, my friends!
