In the Beginning.

Why are we so consumed with outward beauty, spending a fortune on lotions, potions and plastic? Why don't we give the same consideration to our souls and minds?

In the beginning, God... He created all of us in His image. And, since He is God and he is perfect, then whatever flaws, seen or unseen, that we may have been born with,were gently and carefully thought out by our Awesome Creator. It wasn't randomly that He gave someone six toes and someone else a giant nose, while others have a beautifully sculpted nose and their hands are perfect.

Everything that God does, He does for a reason or for good purpose. One day, you may meet someone who has the same "defect" and it gives you a reason to bond with that person. Otherwise, you may never have had a chance to minister to them.

This past weekend, I saw the movie, "The Box". For me, it appeared to have a lot of theological and spiritual undertones. Two of the main characters are disfigured; one having his on his face, for the whole world to see, and the other, her foot, where no one can see. There comes a time in the movie when the two meet and the person with the disfigured foot feels the other person's pain, but knows that his pain is greater. She realizes that it is one thing to have a hidden disfigurement and it's entirely different to have it be on your face - to be seen every day, by anyone who looks upon you. It's stares back at you every time you look in a mirror or you're reminded of it every time someone recoils at the sight of you.

Why can't we see ourselves the way God sees us? It breaks my heart to see a young girl, (and I used to be that girl), with no modesty and no shame. You've seen them in your local mall - they parade around nearly naked, selling themselves to the highest bidder. Or sometimes, giving themselves away for free. They are searching for someone to love them and pay attention to them, possibly because they don't get those things at home. Maybe their parents are so busy keeping up with the Jones', they don't even notice that their daughters are gone until it's too late to ever get them back.

We are obsessed with looks, paying costs that are way too high in order to keep them. We think that if we fix the things that are wrong with us, we will "fit in" better, be one of the "pretty girls", be in the right clique or be loved by the most eligible bachelor. What is the real cost to our souls? Does it really change the way you feel about yourself on the inside by changing the way you look on the outside? I don't believe that for one instant. You can polish up the outside all you want to and, ultimately, if you don't like yourself on the inside, all of the polish or plastic in the world won't change that.

Why can't we love ourselves the way we were created...in HIS image. Perfect, not in an arrogant or proud way, but humbly and confident that He who made us, made us perfectly - just exactly the way we are. Why can't we love others that way too? We need to realize that we are all defective in our own way, but we are all beautiful to God. One is not better, prettier or more favored over another. God loves us all the same, (although I often contend that He loves me best).

I hope to always keep LAFN and, as always, that's my opinion, I welcome yours.

Have a God Blessed day!

Nancie