A Beautiful Reflection

Today I spoiled myself with a visit to my friend, Kerry Strickland, at "A Beautiful Reflection." I experienced my first facial, and I must say, "I loved it!" I do believe that is a very nice way to start off the day, and my skin felt healthier all day long. If you are interested in facials, microdermabrasion, waxing, makeup, and skin care products, give her a call (656-0700). She is located in the downtown area (202 W. Main Street, #212 upstairs), and her treatment room is wonderfully peaceful. If you are interested in going, let me know because I have a coupon for 20% off your first visit (I only have 1, so first come, first served), and another few cards for $5.00 off your first visit). You'll love Kerry, as she makes you feel so comfortable, and for me that's a biggie. I am self-conscious about my skin, so I normally wouldn't want anyone to get that close! :-) Although I enjoyed my facial, I need to be equally focused on how I look on the inside, where it really matters.

I remembered a poem that the late Audrey Hepburn is said to have loved and kept with her. It was published in our women's newsletter a couple of year's ago, but it's worth repeating. I've copied the article/poem here:

Time Tested Beauty

Audrey Hepburn, the beautiful actress that starred in such movies as Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady, led a glamorous life. But did you know that she spent the last years of her life serving needy children in Africa and Latin America as a special ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund? This poem, written by Samuel Levenson, was a favorite of hers. I believe she was beautiful – inside!

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you’ll never walk alone.
The tender loving care of human beings will never become obsolete.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed.
Never throw out anybody.
And remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
You’ll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands;
One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Your “good old days” are still ahead of you.
May you have many of them.

This reminds me of the scripture in I Peter 3:3-4 (NLT), that says, “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” Instead of focusing on our outward beauty, we should be concerned about our hearts and what God sees there. As women of God, we need to be concerned with how we dress as Col. 3:12-14 tells us, “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

Do people see your cloak of love? Do they see your tenderhearted mercy towards them and others? Do they see your gentleness? Have they experienced your patience and forgiveness? Women dressed in these garments are beautiful to God, and His standards of beauty are timeless.

Let’s continue to look to God’s standard of beauty and to encourage one another towards “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is SO precious to God.” Remember, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Pro. 31:30

A truly beautiful reflection is what comes back to us based upon the love, care, and grace we've projected to others. I need to be less concerned with the reflection in the mirror, and more concerned about fearing the Lord and living out His love for this world.