Joy

My daughter, Hannah, is four years old.   She is lively, imaginative, and energetic.  Life is brimming over with emotions for her, ecstasy and tragedy are daily occurrences.  She is never dull or boring.  If you’ve spent more than a few minutes with her you will know this to be true!  She is also one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever known.  (I can say that shamelessly because she looks nothing like me!) 
Her complexion is olive toned.  Her hair is a lustrous brown that is so dark it looks black.  Her large eyes are pools of dark chocolate, framed in long eyelashes and sparkling under expressive eyebrows.  Even when she’s mad, she possesses a kind of dramatic beauty, like thunderclouds over the mountains.   But it’s her smile that takes my breath away.  

When Hannah laughs, her whole being exudes the most natural, stunning beauty.  Her already pretty face brightens to the point of brilliance when she smiles.   Her heartfelt joy visibly pours out of every feature.  Her smile consumes me.  It is impossible to see it and not be called to join in her happiness.  It is no wonder that her middle name is Joy…she has it and she gives it! 

For me, Hannah serves as a reminder of the beauty that joy brings, not only to the face and countenance, but also to those who are around it.  The world needs more of our heartfelt, passionate, free-flowing joy!  Share your beautiful smile!  Laugh easily!  Shower your world with joy! 

Pursue Beauty…
Sarah

Purpose

Esther is well-known for her beauty.  She was physically one of the most attractive women in all of Persia.  But do you really think that physical beauty alone was enough to put her on the throne next to a king who had hundreds of women in his harem?  I think there was something more to Esther.  The Bible says that the king liked Esther more than any other girl, she “won his favor and approval” above all the others.   Among hundreds of the most beautiful women to be found, she had something that set her apart.  She knew who she was, but still had a heart of submission.

Yes, I used the “S” word.  I think many women today have forgotten the beauty and strength to be found in submitting to godly authority.  I don’t for a minute picture Esther as a doormat or slave-like in any way, do you?  No, she was intelligent, strong, capable, bold.  Yet, for all of that, she wasn’t proud or demanding of respect.  She was sure enough of her value as a woman to know when to say “Yes” to the authorities in her life.  And because she did, God was able to do a great thing, not only for herself, but for an entire people group. 

She submitted to the king’s men who gathered the beautiful women of the land.  She submitted to her cousin and guardian, Mordecai, when he instructed her in how to behave in the king’s palace.  She submitted to Hegai, the eunuch in charge, in his suggestions on how to present herself to the king.  She submitted to God as He led her to the defining task of her life.  In the end, I think it was her humility, in complement to her inner strength, that moved the king to submit to her request.  Imagine if she had copped an attitude of pride in any of those situations…the whole story might have ended differently. 


This whole subject is too huge and complex to unpack fully here.  But my point is this:  I don’t want to miss my purpose, or even a part of it, by thinking of myself more highly than I should.  As a woman, I am a priceless treasure, deserving of respect and care.   But may I hold my worth and value within myself and not demand it from others or shunning humility and submission.  My greatest purpose may come through saying “yes”.  Strength, intelligence, and boldness are beautiful when submitted in honor and purpose.

Pursue Beauty…
Sarah
P.S.  For more insight, I encourage you to read the full story of Esther in the Bible!

Authenticity

Wikipedia entry says this about Beauty:
“The Koine Greek word for beautiful was, hōraios, an adjective etymologically coming from the word, hōra, meaning "hour." In Koine Greek, beauty was thus associated with "being of one's hour." A ripe fruit (of its time) was considered beautiful, whereas a young woman trying to appear older or an older woman trying to appear younger would not be considered beautiful. In Attic Greek, hōraios had many meanings, including "youthful" and “ripe old age.””

What do I get from this?  Don’t try to be something you’re not.  Be what you are, as you are, right now.  That is your beauty.  Don’t worry that you aren’t perfect, or even as you’d like to be.  Wouldn’t we all like to change a few things about ourselves, both internally and outwardly!  But don’t wait until you’ve reached “it” to think of yourself as beautiful.  Be true to what is inside of you, wherever you are on your journey.  Even an unripe piece of fruit is perfect for it’s stage of development.  Be authentic.  

Of course, being authentically beautiful requires that what’s inside of you is beautiful!
I had a friend who wanted to save money at her wedding, so she took Styrofoam forms and frosted them gorgeously, just as she wanted her cake to look.   She then served flat cake with plain icing to her guests.  Great money-saver, for sure.  What I want to highlight is this...adorning the outward appearance, without having any substance of character inside, is like frosting Styrofoam.  It’s good to look at, but offers nothing beyond that.   No nourishment or taste whatsoever.  If you tried to eat it you would be sorely disappointed, even disgusted by the deception.


As women, we have a fantastic capacity and responsibility to love and nurture the people in our lives.  Let’s answer the call to true beauty by being women of authenticity!  No more false advertising!  No more frosted Styrofoam!  When someone “tastes” of my heart, I want what they see on the outside to tell truthfully of the rich, delicious substance of who I am underneath! 

Pursue Beauty…
Sarah