Actually, I'm very proud of you. If your Real Age was the same or less, it's probably because you take care of yourself....as we all should! I have made a commitment to intentionally work on my health. After receiving the suggestions of changes I could make, I have a plan in place. I made the people around me aware of my plan and asked for accountability. I'll retake the test in 3 months. Hopefully I'll see some changes. I work to change what I can, but accept what I can't. A few of you fell into the category of having a higher Real Age due to things you can't change. That's when we have to accept how we are and remember what REALLY matters most. Health and Real Age are good and fine, but it's Real Beauty that really matters.
What is Real Beauty? I guess that depends who you ask. When I want a totally accurate answer, I go to the One Who knows all ... the One Who made me in the first place ... sure I can search elsewhere for the answer, but that's taking a chance I don't feel like taking! 1 Corinthians says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (NIV) So, I think I'll ask He Who bought me.
"Lord, What does Your Word say about real beauty?"
"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who
fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs
31:30) You are not beautiful based on your charm or outward
appearance, those can be fake and fading. Real beauty is a woman who has a
healthy fear of the Lord. This doesn't mean you are scared of God.
It means you trust, revere, and respect Him as your authority.
"...How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good
news." (Romans 10:15) I'm loving this. My feel ARE NOT
attractive, even on a good day. They are dry, cracked, and 2 of my toes
are stuck together on each foot! And right now, one of my feet has been
bandaged up for 6 weeks and will retain a permanent scar after the bandage is
removed. But according to God's Word, my feet are still beautiful.
They bring the Good News (in my opinion GREAT news!)
"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) This is what the Life Application Bible says about these
verses: Peter instructs Christian wives to develop
inner beauty rather than being overly concerned about their outward
appearance....This does not mean that Christian women should be dowdy and
frumpy; it is good to take care of oneself and look one's best. But far
more important is the developing of an inner spirit of godliness...True beauty
begins inside.
Any more thoughts on Real Beauty are always appreciated. I pray you are filled with Real Beauty today.
Beautiful Blessings,
Melissa
Posts
8 comments:
Hi Melissa!
Great thoughts today. I took the real age test. I am 42, almost 43 (May 11). I am considered 42 and 9mths and my real age is 42 and 5mths, or something like that. So I guess I am pretty close to my age! :)
You are beautiful my friend! I praise God for you.
Blessings,
Pearls
Hi Melissa,
I like what you had to say today. The bible verses really speak to the truth. Many of us know women who are beautiful but don't have any substance on the inside. I'm sure most of us know a woman who is so gracious and kind that people are drawn to her even if she really isn't that beautiful(looks) on the outside. I want to work on my inner beauty. Have a great day.
Deb
Hey Melissa,
My 19 year old daughter writes a lot. Last week she read me something she wrote conveniently enough titled "Real Beauty". I am trying to convince her to send it to you, it was fabulous!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey!
In His Grip,
Margaret
Margaret,
I would LOVE to read what your daughter wrote about 'real beauty'. I hope she'll allow you to share!
Love to all,
Melissa
Melissa, when I was a little girl I had a favourite blanket. I actually gave it a name. It was called my "kissy" blanket. I think I gave it this name because I spent so much time hugging it and kissing it. I needed it whether I was upset or tired - or happy and excited. It took on many forms. I would drape it over my shoulders and it would be my royal cape. I would tie it around my waist and it became my flowing, white gown. I'd put it over my head and it became my long, blond hair. Just holding this blanket brought comfort and assurance that everything was well with the world. My mom would have to secretly get a hold of it to wash it while I was at nursery school or kindergarten, because if I was home, that blanket had to be with me.
Well, the blanket disintegrated. It became a rag. It was full of holes. But no other blanket would do. I remember my Nanny purchasing a beautiful new, soft, pink blanket and trying to replace it, but there was just no way "kissy" could be replaced. If you saw this blanket you would consider it worthless, but to me that blanket had great value. And, because I valued it, so did my parents. They knew its importance in my life. Its value was established, not intrinsically, but because it was loved very much.
And so it is with us. Our value is established, not because we are great achievers or because of our outward beauty, but because we have worth. We are valuable and significant because God loves us. We can never diminish a person's worth, for the King of glory loves that person infinitely.
His dwelling place,
Joy
I just ready your blog today and thank you. I have been trying to stay up with following the ladies in the blog. I don't feel really beautiful inside or out. My husband asked me for a divorce on Monday. We have been together 22 years. Please pray that God will change his heart so that he will once again see the beauty in our marriage. This is all i will say on Melissa's blog. But I know this is a group of prayer warriors and I sure can use all I can get.
Depending on Him,
Diane
thanks ladies
Dapple I'm sorry to hear about your husband, you must be going through a lot. You are in my prayers.
I looked in the mirror this morning and I really did not feel very beautiful so I decided I needed a dose of Melissa to remind me that I Am Beautiful! And I am glad I came.
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