Em: Mom, can a house be ugly on the outside but be pretty on the inside?
Me: Absolutely. Some people are more concerned about what the inside looks like because that is where they spend most of their time.
Me: And, did you know that some houses that are beautiful on the outside are totally trashed and ugly on the inside?
Em: How?
Me: Well, some people think that the way their house looks on the street is the most important thing, but they don't really care about the inside.
Me: It's just like people's hearts, sweetie. We all come in different shapes and sizes, some people look pretty on the outside but don't have beautiful hearts while others may not 'look' pretty but because they have filled their hearts and minds with God's word, they are the most beautiful people we will ever meet.
This opens such a big can of worms...on Earth, we spend billions of dollars on how we wish to appear. Clothes, makeup, surgeries, jewelry, cars, computer toys, houses, this name brand newest hot item, the latest 'best' whatchamacallit. Yeah, sure, a good Bible is expensive, maybe $40 or $50 bucks, but its worth is beyond anything that will ever be auctioned off at Christie's. No one can take the word of God out of your heart, but only you can get it in there. Some of the most beautiful people I have ever met were these old, crinkly, tired looking babushkas (grammas) in Siberia. When they heard we were coming, in their total poverty, they rushed to their gardens and came to us bearing gladiolas and fresh cucumbers as gifts.
Beauty truly is in the eye of the Beholder. If your beholder is only the one staring you back in the mirror, I encourage you to allow God to move into your 'house' and do some remodeling with His word. Knock out that wall, knock out that wall, get rid of that ugly carpet, move this here and that there...
"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." 1 Peter 3:3&4
Thanks for this, Ade! I have been reading a book entitled "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit" recently, and asking the Lord draw me closer and closer to Himself. To keep my eyes fixed on Him and to be concerned about the things which concern Him - NOT myself!!! I needed this reminder, too, as I so often think I'm not "of this world." But then I take a harder look and see so much of the world and its ways have infiltrated my heart without me realizing it. Sad, really.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us all of the importance of seeing things in the light of the TRUTH of God's Word! I've experienced those same type of women - the ones I met were in Belarus. I could picture them in my mind as you shared your example.
Love you much, dear sister in Christ! ~Jodie
You hit the nail on the head with that one! I know so many people who are more concerened and will spend whatever it takes to "look" the part. Whatever that is? I am not that way. I do not wear makeup, have a expensive hairdo, etc. Because to me that is not really what matters about a person, it is truly there heart. We are all different, God made us that way, so it would not be boring. On Nickernoodles' blog she stated it so well: People are like a box of crayons-some are sharp, dull, long, short, different colors, but we all live in this world. Thanks for reminding us how we should see things. Have a geat weekend!
ReplyDeleteadrienne, thanks for reminding us of this. it is so true...we get caught up in all the "worldly possesions" and forget what we are supposed to hold dear. we also forget to look at ourselves as God sees us, which is beautiful in every way. thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThis made my day! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteamen! I thank God daily that my inside looks so much better than my house...inside or out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder! I can relate to seeing houses that look pretty outside and ugly inside, and vice versa...I've been out looking at houses with our realtor and have seen some real doozies! It is amazing how people choose to live, both clean and dirty. But truly, when it comes to the heart, I know what you mean about the old babushkas being some of the most lovely in the world...I met some of those too in Ukraine, and they're amazing. I'll always be stunned by their kind generosity and beauty that radiated through their wrinkled faces.
ReplyDeleteAdrienne,
ReplyDeleteThis really resonated with me, especially since it came right after my quiet time this morning, in which I was reading Hebrews 2:5-18 about being brothers and sisters of Christ - "Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death (the devil) and free those who all their lives where held in slavery by their fear of death." (Heb 2:14)
Jesus came down and took on an earthly body, but it was what was inside..who He was...that made all the difference.
Your timing of this post is perfect, as now connecting these two passages together has made an even bigger impact on how I've been touched by God's Word today. Thank you!
God's timing is amazing.
Michelle
Amen, sister.
ReplyDelete