I’ve finally come to the place where I know I am beautiful
because God made me so. I’ve said those words before, but the change is that
now I can honestly look in the mirror and see this body, worn from many years childbearing
and childrearing, and know that the picture in the mirror is not who I am.
I am beautiful because I am beautiful.
I am not beautiful based on my figure, my hairstyle, my
clothing, or my accessories. Mother always said, “Pretty is as pretty does.”
She said that true beauty comes from the inside, and that if I would cultivate
that inner beauty I would grow more beautiful with the years.
My mother is beautiful. When I was a little girl I used to cry
happy tears over Miss America pageants, over how pretty the young women were,
and I would always say, “But not as pretty as you, Mommy.” True to her word,
she’s continued to cultivate the inner beauty and she is more beautiful as the
years pass.
Maybe that’s what’s happening to me. Maybe I’m finally
seeing the results of years of forgiveness, patience, kindness, giving,
serving, and loving. Maybe the hard work of hushing my critical spirit to do
what is right and put others before myself is paying an unexpected bonus. Maybe choosing to smile instead of
frown really does make us prettier.
Whatever it is, it sure feels good.
I found another blogger at Five Minute Friday whose post goes well with mine. She talks about the decision to see beauty - which, of course, makes us more beautiful. Here's the link to her post:
ReplyDeletehttp://balutzfamily.blogspot.com/2013/07/five-minute-friday-beautiful.html
YES! I so agree with this... once we see our own beauty, it is so much easier to recognize it around us! Love this! Thanks for the shout-out too!
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