Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  How many times have we heard that quote or have even spoken that quote?  The other day, some friends were talking about celebrities and their appearance.  One person thought this one woman was very beautiful, the other thought she was average.  They began to dispute the fact.  I said “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.  They stopped, looked at me and started to laugh. Not at me, but themselves for getting so passionate about someone they didn’t even know.  Also, they agreed that the statement is true.

The dictionary defines beauty as: “Pleasing and impressive qualities of something pleasing and impressive to look at, listen to, touch, smell or taste.  2: Fine examples: something very good, attractive, or impressive of its kind.”.

How do you define beauty?  Is it just the outward looks of a person or the inner person who exemplifies godliness?  The word beauty is used thirty one times in the Word in many different references.

Proverbs 4: 9 talking about wisdom says: “She will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty.”  It goes on to say in verse ten: “Hear my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many.”

So what is my point? Today we are inundated with images of beautiful people.  Our children are given the message that you must be beautiful and fit the image.  As a result we have eating disorders among girls and boys.  As Christians let’s remember what really makes us beautiful – our love for one another and for the Lord.

It isn’t wrong to want to look your best, but the emphasis needs to be on our hearts and our treatment of others.  Remember the story Matt told a few weeks ago about Punchinello?  Let’s stop putting dots or stars on people and remember our Creator made us uniquely and wonderful.  We are valuable and precious in His sight. Ask the Lord to help us see others as he sees them.  Donna Ridge