A certain topic has come up twice in two days, and so I will put my thoughts about it here.
How much should we, that is, us women folk, put into our physical appearance? What does a God-fearing woman look like on the outside? Where does she shop? How often does she get her hair done? How much make-up? How often? On and on these questions can go. I think that the answer will be slightly different for different women because of their God-given gifts. And I don't mean their physical gifts. I mean that some women are artists and enjoy cultivating and decorating things that God has made. Which could include themselves. God made women to be prettier than men, and it's okay if some women want to enhance that a bit (or at least maintain it better than some of us).
But here' the nitty gritty of what I have to say: Two Rules.
1. Your body and grooming should allow you to do the things you like to do. (Possible exmaples: Walk up stairs, play with kids on the floor, ride horses, walk in the woods, etc.)
2. Your spouse should find you attractive.
That's about it.
Here's how that translates for me personally. I can do the things I like to do (pretty much the above examples) and Joe thinks I'm hot.
And now, one more point. Vanity. Vanity pretty much means "things that are pointless." And, um, curly girls who straighten their hair everyday? That's pointless. It's not getting straighter ladies. You're just frying your dead cells. That's gross. Anyway. Back to vanity. Consider the amount of time you must spend to maintain the image that you are currently trying to maintain. Does it equal the benefits you reap? Does the money you spend on your nails improve your life proportionately? And, here's one more thing about vanity. The things we do to improve our looks, does it positively affect those around us? And how long does it last from now? 10 years? 20 years? For the lucky (or rich) few, maybe 30 years? Eventually our faces fall off. There's nothing for it. But, the people around us who we've helped, or the ones for whom we have been a light in a dark world, or for those whom we've been Jesus' hands, feet, arms, or ears? Those deeds are eternal. God cares about that, not our nails or our hair or if our clothes. So keep yourself presentable, brush your teeth, keep your body odor down, and try not to look so scary that you can't be of any help to people. But remember what's important. What do you want on your tombstone? "Here lies a beautiful woman who had really good eyebrows, perfect nails, and always had a very fashionable shirt on her back?" or "Here lies a beautiful woman with caring hands, a gentle expression, and who gave me the shirt off her back"
Tell me what you think about this and how you find your balance on the subject.
XOXO
Joce