true beauty

I love this print from Lindsay Letters because I think it is such an important reminder. I have talked about it on this space before here and here but sometimes I forget what beauty is. I need to be reminded. On mornings when I roll myself out of bed and spray some hairspray in the air and call it good. I need this truth when I run down the sidewalk attempting to hold onto all my papers, my coffee mug, and my giant bag and I glace a peek at my frazzled self in the store window. I need this when I can see every pimple, every wrinkle, every stretch mark, every scar, every bump, dent, curve. Yes, I need to remember that beauty is not defined by the way I look on the outside.

But I also need to remember it comes from the inside. That a smile glanced toward a stranger (even when I am running late) can mean so much and picking up coffee for your coworkers shines brighter than extra eyeliner. Being patient in line at a store & with the cashier is more beautiful than the new sweater dress you are checking out with at Target. Our inner beauty needs to be nurtured, cleaned, and kept. What is the point of washing our face if we don’t wash our hearts? Could outward looks ever cover up what is on the inside?

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life” – proverbs 4:23  

Today when you get ready for work, school, errands, life don’t skip your heart. When you stand in front of the mirror today look deeper. You are beautiful. you were created that way. You have the choice to let that beauty show or to neglect it. Choose beauty today. Choose life.