[You Are] More Precious than Rubies

As I was getting ready for bed this evening I took a long look in the mirror. Pressing my hands against my abdomen, I attempted to flatten out the small amount of pudge that stuck out from what would otherwise be a completely thin figure. Inside my head I pictured the endless number of movie stars, singers, and basically any media involved female whose figure appeared almost breakable due to their overly petite size. I took my hands off of my body and and let my stomach relax. For, unlike (many...I guess not all of) them, I am healthy, happy, and not forced to be a specific size.

I think for a lot of women, including myself, physical appearance is something that we are constantly aware of. Such awareness can be both good and bad. I find fashion to be an artistic outlet and enjoy piecing different styles together. Rarely will a day go by where over-sized earrings don't hang from the sides of my head. However, I specifically remember that a pressure to beautiful became most evident when I played Barbies with my sister as a child. Looking at the Doll's smooth plastic figure, clear complexion, and painted face made me wonder why I didn't look like that. In my mind, my tomboyish self would never come close to the beauty that was portrayed in this inanimate object.

What's wrong with this picture?

Now am I saying that Mattel should be run out of business for putting unrealistic expectations of physical beauty on an 8 year old? Well, no, that's not really a rant I want to get into right now. I do believe that as a society we really need to think about how we portray beauty. When did we get to the point of deciding that over-sized breasts and backsides, complimented with a tiny waste, was the most desirable figure?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 14.6 million cosmetic surgeries happen a year. Keep in mind, many of those are probably for reasons other than "self-improvement", but still. All of this because of an imperfect idea of perfect beauty. Knowing that one's body will never be good enough.

1 Peter 3:3-4 states
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 gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 

Inner beauty.
Inner
Beauty

What a concept.

In all honesty everyone will eventually become physically "ugly" (or what the world might it find to be), it's inevitable. There is no amount of Botox, make-up, implants, creams, or nip-tucks will save you from aging. Instead, focus on how to be a light to others and let your inner beauty overcome that of the outer. I have found that the most beautiful people I've met aren't those who look magazine cover worthy, but have a spirit that radiates the love for those around them.

God has given everyone the ability to show compassion, care, and love. So use it.