Beauty is....

Society often defines beauty as a woman with long hair.  I say beauty is being able to face the fact that you no longer have hair due to circumstances that life has dealt. 

Beauty is found in giving...

During my quiet time today, I was reminded of God's love for us.  I read the story of a young woman who was preparing to see her son and daughter-in-law a week early for Christmas.  Soon afterwards, she was informed that her daughter-in-laws mother would also be there and she wanted to take a gift.  She looked in her cupboard where she keeps gifts and pulled out a few but none of them were nice enough for a Christmas gift.  It was too late to purchase anything, so she went to her china cabinet.  She had just recently purchased a lovely teacup made in England at an estate sale.  She briefly hesitated, then pulled it out and wrapped it for her daughter-in-laws mother.

When her daughter-in-laws mother opened the gift, she could see the delight on her face.  "How did you know" she asked.  "Did your daughter-in-law tell you? I just made the decision a couple of weeks ago to start a teacup collection; this one is beautiful!"   It was so fun to have made someone so happy.  God knew it was the perfect gift for her.  I was so glad that I had given her the teacup instead of the original "make do" gift. 

A few weeks later I received a call from a dear friend and mentor who had moved away but was coming to visit.  "I have a gift," my friend said, "I want you to have one of my mother's teacups."  The teacup from a dear friend's mother is so much more meaningful and treasured than the cup I had purchased at an estate sale.

Beauty is found in giving...

Beauty is YOU!

Society displays beauty as a certain size, color or shape.  I say beauty is YOU!  Don't let society define you.  Be who you are - BEAUTIFUL!