Sunday, October 3, 2010

So Here's The Deal.......

Greetings and Holykisses,

No words.
I've just had no words.

Until today!
:)

God's been using a few Christian women, to really speak truth into my heart the last few days. It all started with beauty, but it wasn't all lipstick n rouge. (Although it was some of that as well.) I was reminded about true beauty, and how God really does say a lot about our looks and how we should dress in His word. Funny how His timing is so perfect because, all the things I heard, interconnected as well with the "Women of the Bible" bible study we've been having here at the house. You see; last week, our lesson covered Eve, and also Lydia the seller of purple!

We're told in Acts 16 that Lydia was a seller of purple cloth. I don't think the bible says this; but I wonder if Lydia wore purple as well or merely sold it? The coolest thing about her to me is Lydia worshiped God, and He opened her heart. -I'm just guessing, but Lydia being one of God's girls;... I figure she was a proverbs 31 woman. Her character sure points to that.

Scripture tells us that the Proverbs 31 woman was clothed in fine linen and purple (vs 22) and (v25) says she was also clothed with strength and dignity. These ladies were beautiful inside and out don't you think? Verse 30, goes on to say that "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

The Word has introduced me to several beautiful Sisterchicks. Sarah, ...Rebekah,...Esther,.. Rachel;- among... others. It's so interesting to me that even though Esther was beautiful to begin with, she had to go through 12 months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women. 6 months with oil of myrrh, and 6 with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women before she could be presented to the King. It takes me about a half hour in the bathroom every morning to get ready for the day. This is how long it takes to shower, deodorize, brush my teeth, rub in Oil of Olay, brush on the Bare Minerals, spray Amazing Grace, and blow dry, and straighten unruly hair.*- sometimes longer. --My thoughts even now keep wandering to the beautiful Esther: In this society, I could never measure up by the worlds standards. But maybe Esther didn't feel like she was good enough either? Maybe in some ways, her world and ours wasn't so very different?

Women in general go to great lengths trying to look a certain way, and yet without any of that God loves us. He's not looking to see if our accessories match, .... nor checks the label on our handbag. He says, we're wonderfully made! So as I look back on the past week, and things I've read, heard and learned, I realize more than anything one important truth. What we look like to others, or wear is just ... man's opinions. I agree some colors etc may look better on us than others, but it's still: human preference... Your way of putting on makeup, may not be my way. And vice versa. Your products, and things you like ... --I may not. -- As for dress; I happen to like to wear my beat- up, old "fat baby" cowboy boots. I know the Fashionistas of the world would frown on them These boots have many miles on them; and often have cow manure stuck to the bottoms; yet they serve me well! They're my Jerusalem Cruisers; ... my gospel shoes, and I even wear them to the grocery store! I happen to like them; my husband likes them, and they get cleaned up before I go places.

Oh; there's another fashion no no I keep thinking of: There's this favorite tshirt I wear several times a week. It has a white bleach stain on the back now, but now more than ever it's my most favorite shirt. I didn't throw it away when it got the big spot on the back of a shoulder. It was still valuable to me. It still had worth. The white spot now reminds me that Jesus washes us whiter than snow. - And, when I wear it, I don't even have to see the stain. It's BEHIND ME! I'm moving forward yall,.... even though
I know OTHER PEOPLE can see my stain.

Okay, thank GOD for this last verse because this is where GOD really, really really really speaks to me: It's in 1 Samuel when God had Samuel go out to the House of Jesse to find and anoint the next King. Samuel looked on Jesse's sons and thought "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the LORD." vs 6.

"But the LORD said to Samuel, do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Real beauty goes far deeper than skin. Real beauty is all the way through... from the inside out. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my Mother's womb." Psalm 139:13

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Oh, and I have to share with you a cool thing God did to give me affirmation: This is but another way, that He's lavished His love on me. He's so good!!!
I have a friend in Texas that I met blogging, and we know God purposed our paths to cross.
While I was meditating on God's idea of beauty,... this had come in the mail from my friend.

"Which Girl does Jesus love?"
She made it for me, and said to hang it from my rear view mirror. Notice the PURPLE heart?


Man looks at the outward appearance.

But my LORD
looks at my heart...
and ....He loves me!
And can I just say?
He Hearts
you
too.

13 comments:

Sweet Magnolias Farm said...

Hey Lea ...

So good to see you post and I love love love what God layed on your heart to share this post. I agree it's not about what we wear or what we look like it''s about what God thinks ..I'm very conservative in my dress meaning nothing showing that shouldn't be and nothing to revealing ..I just feel that for me that's how God would want me to be. I truly love the modesty dress that is practiced by many families..One being the Duggars. I must admit ..they have influenced me more and more and my closet is filling up with lots of skirts. Beyond just being modest I've found I feel alot more feminine which is many times lost in a working womans world.

I think your cowgirl boots are perfect ..and I love the analogy God gave you with your bleach spotted shirt ..That was awesome !!! Now I want one too ..LOL ..Hey the next new believer shirt craze ..a white bleach spot on the back ...ROFL !!!

Sending you Big Hugs !!!

Sara

Yolanda said...

Absolutely beautiful and touched my heart deeply.

Show your Purple!!!

With love,
Yolanda

irene said...

"But the LORD said to Samuel, do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 LOVE, Love, love this verse Lea.....we all need to have it written on our hearts. Some of the most beautiful people I know would not be considered beautiful by the world's standards but....OH what beautiful hearts they have!! I've missed hearing what the Lord has been laying on your beautiful heart. XXOO

irene said...

By the way.....I love my old fat baby boots too ;)

Rebecca said...

WOW, Lea! When you got words, your really got WORDS -- and such good ONES! I like the way you spoke this truth - God DOES look on the heart!

Dee said...

The Lord created each of us and our hearts is what gives us our true beauty.You are not your shoes...so wear them proudly.

Mel said...

Thanks for sharing such an inspirational post.

I love purple, have a favorite sweater that is purple...

Blessings,
Mel

Trace4J said...

Thanks for speaking sharing and blessing my heart. Just when I needed it..You were missed..
Hugs Granny Trace

Unknown said...

Gee, I've missed your inspirational posts, your insight and encourging words! Love ya!

Sunnyside Up said...

Hi Sweet Pea!

JUST read your post and I am SO blown away by God! This morning in my study time I had looked back over my summer Ruth study (by Kelly Minter)...I was looking for something very specific but stopped on Session 6 Day 3 (grab your book and take a peek!)& stayed there reading which took me to 1 Samuel 16:1-13! Amazing...simply amazing! I am glad God looks at our hearts! I want my inward appearance to be far, far more "GLAMMED UP" up than my out...its not about lipstick n rouge! :)
So girl...you just keep on wearin those Jerusalem Cruisers & that stained T-shirt...YOU, my dear, are PERFECT just the way you are...BEAUTIFUL on the INSIDE & just as purdy on the out & we want our Lea just to be LEA! NOONE does Lea like Lea does Lea!

Which Girl does Jesus LOVE?

THIS GIRL!

...I have NEVER stopped loving YOU and NEVER will...expect LOVE, LOVE and MORE love! Jer 31:3

HEARTS,
Char

Denise said...

I love this post my beautiful sis.

Vickie said...

Beautiful post, Lea. I love this reminder of what a Godly woman should be. First to her Lord, then to her husband and family and the world. And I'm so thankful that the Lord sees the inside of all of us. I've got the old T-shirts with paint on them, old jeans and my scruffy old Walmart shoes that I wear all the time. I care less and less what the world thinks, and am learning to feel good in my own skin. I want my heart to be beautiful to the Lord. Thanks for your beautiful heart, Lea!

Paula said...

OK Girlie, here's the deal,
To me you have one of the most beautiful, creative, loving, faithfull, joyous, heart of anyone I know. The way you love our Jesus, your family and friends is precious to me. So SO incredible grateful for you, and the way the Lord speaks to us all through your faithful heart. Your a real purple beauty inside and out :-) Loved this post, and love you dear Heart Sista!!!
P.S. this was typed while wearing my stained ole tank top :-)
P.P.S.S I think baby fats ARE a fashion statement. LOVE EM!