Beauty means something else these days, since coming to Texas
I’m a woman that believes in at least a decent attempt to look like a woman even if I’m really just a mom, and that a killer pair of high heels and knock-em-dead mascara can do wonders for a woman’s energy and self-esteem.
But.
My “uniform” here is usually something made of half-bleached cotton (we have funky and highly chlorinated water and nothing is sacred in the washing machine, it seems). My hair-do is practically tragic and I haven’t put on a pair of heels all year. It is easy to feel all run-ragged, to live in pajamas and not recognize my own self in the mirror many days, and eleven kids is sure enough to make my femininity drain right through my chipped toenails.
I can doll myself up and slip into something frilly and feel beautiful.
Or I can dish a second helping of chili mac (don’t judge) onto a kid’s plate and tousle his head and kiss my husband long and deep… and be beautiful. I can stumble with eyes half-closed in the night hours to soothe a baby and I can gather up the gumption to apologize after an argument, even if I don’t think I’m wrong. I am not a sight for sore eyes these days, but oh that the Lord would make me, in my weakness and through His strength, a balm for hurting hearts.
Linking to: The Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday
A balm for hurting hearts is most beautiful of all. Mother Teresa sure wouldn't have won the Miss America pageant, but wasn't she one of the most beautiful people on earth?
ReplyDeleteyes, being beautiful. . . . much more important than feeling beautiful. but much harder sometimes!!! bless you in the tasks you find yourself engaged in this day, and may you find the beauty in them that God sees.
ReplyDeleteThat was a beautiful post, oh that we'd remember to BE rather than LOOK, and not forget that what you just captured is the true essence of 1. Tim 2,9 ;) great post. Great work!
ReplyDeleteYou won the giveaway for Renee Swope's book! Please email me at marybeth6@gmail.com with your address and congrats!
ReplyDeleteThese are great words. These beauty posts were some of my favorites from Gypsy Mama ...
ReplyDeleteVery sweet post with great meaning. We all have those moments while raising children that we are not dressed the best; but I know that your husband loves you no matter what you have on and your childern love you for being there for them no matter what.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and keep on enjoying those precious moments.
How often I have to remind myself of the same thing! Being beautiful isn't a result of the perfect hair-do or the right shade of lip gloss. It's being a woman...and often that includes the most unflattering jobs that no one else cares to do. It also comes with a pair of dark-circled eyes tired from loving on so many, especially in the late, sleep-centric hours. While many act as though they're the most ugly feature, they really show the most beauty as they are the physical representation of a motherly heart. :)
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