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Pretty

A friend shared an Elle article about one of Colbie Caillat's new songs, Try. The article talked about how she felt pressure to change her outward appearance. Hair extensions, fake eye lashes, fake nails, photoshopping. It was getting to her. So she was encouraged to put her feelings to music and what happened what a great video. 


By the time I got to the end of the video I thought, "Wow, I don't even think we know what a beautiful woman looks like anymore." We know what a great dye job looks like. We recognize flawless makeup and polished manicures. But what if we were all stripped of that? Would we see beauty? 

I happen to really like makeup and hair (big hair to be exact). I like pretty clothes and painting my nails. I don't think there's anything innately wrong with liking those things. Except sometimes I go without makeup and I hear "Oh, you look tired." Small children have even told me I looked weird! Seriously! 

The other day I had makeup on, and Piper asked why. "I just like wearing makeup sometimes," I told her. She told me I shouldn't wear makeup. However, Ryland (who you can always count on to speak his mind) chimed in and told me I should wear it to church because it looks pretty. 

Later the same day that I read the article I referenced earlier, Piper requested to put on a "princess dress." We don't have any actual dress up clothes; every dress is a princess dress to her. At first I didn't want to, but I'm working on saying yes to my kids whenever reasonable. She chose a dress, I helped her put it on, and watched her twirl around proclaiming herself Princess Piper. She ended up sleeping in that dress because she just loves it so much. 

I remarked to Jackie how happy she was. She clearly felt pretty--like a princess. I tried to think of something that made me feel that way. You know what? I couldn't come up with a single thing. How sad that I've either outgrown or given up on the concept of self-beauty. I'm not saying that I think my face ory body is ugly necessarily but nothing inspires me to glow like my bare-faced, messy-haired little girls. 

I couldn't help but be reminded of 1 Peter 3:3-4 which says, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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." 

Therein lies my real problem. I greatly lack a gentle and quiet spirit! My spirit is rather loud and boisterous within me. 

Gotta work on that. 

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