“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4

My daughters and I were watching television the other day and stumbled onto “Toddlers in Tiaras.” We were riveted – much like being forced to watch a train crash – you know what is going to happen but you just.cant.turn.away. It was frightening! I’m not casting judgment on these people or their children, but I can’t imagine doing that with my girls! Piling fake hair on their heads, gluing on false eyelashes, applying more makeup than I would ever wear, and inserting a mouth piece to hide their gap toothed smile. (There is just something wrong about a toddler with dentures, do you agree?)

In direct contrast, this reminded me of a dear sister of mine that was getting her three year old daughter ready for a dance recital and had to put makeup on her for the first time. After it was applied, Abbi held the mirror up and said, “Look at you!” To which her daughter replied, “That’s not me. I’m prettier.” Good girl!

Our quest for perfect beauty is so misguided. Peter understood, beauty is from within, a gentle and quiet spirit that fears the Lord and leads others to Him. This is what God finds precious, and this is the kind of beauty that I am investing my time and energy in with my own daughters. I want them to be women of grace and integrity. Soft women that are compassionate and real. They are naturally beautiful – it’s the soul stuff, the heart beauty, that takes the most work. I know. I’m still working on it. I’m praying for me and my girls to be awarded a crown of beauty to lay at His feet…so much better than a tiara with rhinestones. 🙂