OLD BARNS AND BEAUTY   

Why the picture of the old barn in a beauty article?

Read on...

 Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

 

    Sometimes we forget that we are special. 

    Sometimes we don't even know, or have forgotten because of the cares or unfairness of life.

 

I have noticed through the years my brother Ron often telling his children that they, or something they did were 'Special'.

Today, when my grandchild did something really kind, his siblings and I started singing "For he's a jolly good fellow!"  Let me tell you, he was taller and even more sweet than usual for the rest of our visit.  He saw he was special, he heard it too, and as he looked in surprise from one to the other, the smile on his face told me he knew it!



 "As I walked on a little country road in Lancaster Co., PA about 22 years ago, I unwisely burdened my 11 year old daughter with yet another complaint of how draggy I felt and looked.

 

     There was ...a long pause in our conversation and then she just commenced strutting down the road in front of me like a queen on Red-Bull. She turned to face me and said "Mom, if you walk and act like you are beautiful...you will look beautiful"

 

     And so sisters,

I realize we feel we have 'better, more important' uses for money and time than taking care of ourselves and looking nice, but I now look at things differently.

 

When we have neglected our housework, or just fallen behind, do we open our door wide and exercise gracious hospitality?

I

 

When we are dressed shabbily, or haven't plucked the dark chin hairs or fixed our hair, do we walk with the same open-ness, smiling at people and being sunshine?

 

I don't. 

 I want to hide behind the shelves when I see someone I know.  Or delay stopping to visit someone I feel led to visit.

 

Years ago, in Hobart NY, some ladies from my church went to a yard sale.  The pastors wife was with us.  Three of us were fairly newly married and pretty sheltered.

Something really cool happened that day, at that sale, with that pastors wife (and you know who you are).

 

The table was filled with clothes and we were all dutifully searching out bargains and treasures when our attention was turned to Mrs. Pastor who was holding up a VERY scanty bit of lingerie, indeed!

 "Hmmm", she said, "I guess fifty cents is not a bad price to pay to boost your sex life." 

 

I have loved her every since.   I do not know if she bought it, I guess my embarrassment and shock at the time wiped other memories of the event away.

  But I remember that best part.

 

 

      More recently a friend of ours posted a photo of herself wearing a beautiful scarf.  If I remember, it was a splurge to her, to someone anyway.  It transformed her with color and style and I could see in her expression as well a change.  She was radiant.

She knew she looked really great.

 

And what's more, her friends were happy she felt this way.!

 

We were proud I believe, to have the spark we love so much be seen by the world.

  Why?

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

 

 

 and because

we are family, Gods family.

  We carry His name, we want to bring Glory to that Name.

 

We are not in competition with each other, we are walking together, encouraging each other, active in illuminating the gifts, talents and strengths of each other.  For the Name.

 

 

If you need a new scarf, or piece of lingerie, a new foundation or anti-wrinkle cream, or a new shade of lip color...perhaps it is time. Take some special care of someone very special. 

 You.

..and let those things which better showcase the outer beauty, encourage you to share the inner beauty.

 

Maybe we also should have a little Red Bull, and practice the wise little 'Laura Strut'

  then we will begin to feel the Truth of It.

 

If you see me today, remind me to stand tall and walk in confidence.

 

OK

Please don't be offended by the barns or the comment below.  I intend them to be as amusing to you as the saying was to me when I first heard it.

 

now the answer to the question, "Why the barns in an article about enhancing our beauty?"

 

"If the old barn

  needs a coat

     paint it!"

 

said the old man at church during heated discussion regarding appropriateness of make-up.

 

 

Charlene