Dear family and friends, Do you feel beautiful today? I mean, how is your mindset? I'm not talking about that scary moment before your mirror in the morning with your hair flying and your sleep glazed eyes half open. Haha! I'm talking about the inside of you.
I suppose it is easier for me to talk to the ladies here. I woke with puffy eyes and that was after a good sleep last night. My head ached, likely a reaction to some food from the night before. I wanted to crawl back into bed. However, the scripture that came to my mind was from Psalm 19:14. This got me up and moving...thank you Holy Spirit!
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer."
Where the Holy Spirit took me from there, was away from my physical appearance to what was in my heart and mind. As my words were spoken about my puffy eyes and what on earth I was going to do with my wild hair...I remembered what I should be speaking.
I turned a negative attitude into worship. By giving thanks to God for another day, washing the sleep from my foggy mind, it was like the sun breaking through the clouds on a brisk winter morning. Like a fresh splash of cool water. Like, well, you know what I mean. You have your own list.
There really is something about the name of Jesus! There is power in the blood that cleanses us from the sin of comparison and discontent. His friendship goes with us all day long. He even helps with a bad hair day!
Instead of speaking of my inabilities, my weakness as I get older, my view in the mirror that shows all the wrinkles...I get to turn my eyes on the PRIZE, my HOPE and my STRENGTH. That is a very long list when you begin to speak it and meditate on all the goodness and mercies of the Lord.
His grace makes me beautiful in His eyes 24/7. I can never hide my disappointment, my circumstances, my visions of a different lot in life. I am really finding out that what I dwell on, I become like. I want to be like Jesus!
That is why I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart would be pleasing in God's sight. If you know Him, then you can trust Him with your future. That includes the headache days and the calm.
I was talking with my grandson this afternoon. He said people think he is too optimistic. I am glad he has that outlook! When I got home from our positive time together, my soul felt improved! Somehow refreshed. I can't wait to show him what I found. Return the blessing back to him!
So, I looked up the word optimism in my Thesaurus. It read...faith, expectation, anticipation, trust, expectance, confidence, hope. The (Ant.) despair, pessimism, despondency. Which are you?
Isn't that amazing?! The first word is faith and every word after we can find in scripture! I am abundantly blessed by my short time with my 18 year old grandson! The Holy Spirit is doing a wonderful work in his life and I am touched personally to such a point I can't express my gratitude!
WE get to be the blessing to cheer the heart of others God brings into our path. He makes those appointments doesn't He? Expectancy, anticipation!
I want to ask you then, what beauty radiates from you? Is it a heart that reveals a close walk with the Lord? A gentle and quiet spirit? Joyful expectation of the goodness of God that it just spills out on others?
That comes with speaking kindness to ourselves too. It comes with allowing Jesus to be our Rock at all times. Having a firm, intimate relationship with the Son of God. There are no comparisons when we stand before His throne. And, nothing to worry about!
You might be broken like a piece of pottery but, Jesus wants to touch you with beauty. In His hands we are made beautiful! Beginning now, speak the grace of the LORD over your mind. His Word. His unfailing love. Say it outloud! Those negative self-hate thoughts will bow down and the repetition of negative words will turn away in the matchless name of Jesus Christ, amen!
I am learning to think as HE thinks. The changes in my life have come because I have had to stop, drop and pray! It takes work but we are assured and know that God as our partner, is making things new and they fit into His plan on our behalf. Romans 8:28.
Never forget how much He loves you...yes, you! Even with all the cracks, torn and tangled threads. Let Jesus make you beautiful. Will you?
Abundance is...what is true