Whoo... I got several private emails concerning this post. So, I wanted to add a little more thought about the scripture below and share it with you. So, if you have already read the post about 'the outward man', then here is the update...if you haven't read the post below, please read it first then read this update:
Wives, I most certainly am not saying you should not take time to prettify yourselves. I am not saying you shouldn't paint your toenails (Shoot...I went and got a pedicure just hours after typing up this post!). I am not saying you should no longer take time to consider which outfit makes you feel great and look great and in turn makes your husband take notice of your sexy legs! (Thanks for the compliment last night, Timmy.) I am most certainly not saying you should no longer shower and stop shaving your armpits... unless that is something you are happy with already doing. Although I do recommend partaking in both, ladies. What I was trying to get across is that we should not be consumed with the outward man. That we should not be spending more time putting on eyeliner and mascara and acrylics than with our God. That we not spend so much time worrying about what we will wear today and about how we are having another bad hair day, than we do about the time we spend worshipping Jesus! To be honest, this isn't something that consumes me when I have a newborn. I am happy to get a shower, let alone have some eyeshadow on... but there are times where I know I look in my closet and think, "I have nothing to wear!", and must sound so ungrateful to God for all the wonderful pieces of clothing in my closet and dresser. Or days where I am tired of my long hair and how "I just can't do anything with it!", and the Holy Spirit convicts me for complaining. I totally do think we should take time to clean ourselves up, and my husband LOVES for me to wear make-up and will often compliment me on my eye make-up job. And remember the post where I went as far as to perm my hair because he loved the way it used to look when we first started going out?! And I know there have been many a time when I tried on an outfit and felt spectacular in it and well, even the Proverbs 31 woman dresses herself in fine linen and purple. So, please know that this scripture is not an excuse for you to no longer work at pleasing your husband with your outer beauty, but a reminder that it should not be above your time with the Lord. Lastly, I was talking about what the Lord looks at, not what your man looks at... we all know that those are two very different sets of eyes, Ladies!! So, don't go throwing away your make-up bags, lingerie, and curling irons... I don't want to start getting any hubby hate mail.
1 Samuel 16:7
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
It got me to thinking... how much time am I spending on the outward man (showering, putting on make-up, finding the 'perfect' outfit, going shopping for more 'perfect' outfits, putting on anti-wrinkle creams, manicures, pedicures, doing my hair, etc.) as opposed to the inward man. Am I putting in as much effort on my inward man, as I am my outward man? Am I spending as much time with my Heavenly Father as I am in front of the mirror? I felt convicted as to how much I worried about wearing the right color of lipstick with that pretty blouse, than I did about finishing my bible study and really reflecting on what God was trying to tell me. If I really stopped and thought about the time I spent with Jesus today in comparison as to how much time I spent getting my outward man ready this morning, I think it would shock me. So, this verse really spoke to me. Not that God is telling me to no longer have a pedicure, or that I am consumed with vanity because I do my make up each day (well most days), but that I needed to really realize what was truly important. God looks at my heart, not my hairdo and I want to make sure that I spend my day pleasing HIM and not man.
So, on that note, I will not be making the outer man of such significance...
... but, making the inner man my highest priority.
6 comments:
That's so funny...I'm sure you don't want a mob of angry husbands emailing you. :-) I got what you were saying...yes, we should try and look presentable...and sometimes I do feel bad when I don't take as much time to fix myself up...but I realize the most important thing is spending time with the Lord. I totally agree....
I totally get what you are saying... be in the World but not of the World! Sometimes I feel ungrateful for everything I have been blessed with and have to stop and take a moment to thank my Heavenly Father for all my blessings.
ps. I got my little gift in the mail and I love it! I can't wait to venture outside and use it! Thank you so much! You are the best!
I thought your post was so encouraging. Way to lift up your fellow sisters !! Seriously there are days I stand infront of the mirror ( more often now) and think "how can he find me attractive still, I'm HUGE" ? I'm extremely blessed that he does, but yes women are often consumed by their outward appearance and neglect their children, husbands, bible reading, prayer time and yes sometimes we neglect ourselves.
It should bring us joy to look beautiful for our husbands. Not because you have to but how about because it brings a smile to his face. I believe the same smile is on our Savior's face when we take time for Him.
I definitely have a smile on my face after pedicure and trip to buy some lingerie:)
Love ya sister !!
I know what you are saying and I agree. We should not be consumed by our looks. That is "Babylonian Thinking" as Beth Moore says.
I try to be presentable even on my worst days. I do NOT run around in my jammies till noon even though I am a SAHM. I am showered, dressed and my hair is fixed. I rarely mess with makeup unless I'm going some place special (church, going out to eat). I would have to be a pretty sick puppy for me to wear my jammies past 9:00 a.m.
I believe that it is honoring to my husband and reflects good things on him when people see his wife "together" so to speak. It says that his household is taken care of and he is proud of the way I look when I am modestly dressed. He likes me in skirts, so I have quite a collection now of skirts that I wear when he is home. I enjoy looking feminine for my man and it makes me feel lovely.
I admit that every morning i get up and put on my make-up and do my hair and I am always dressed respectably (no sweat pants in this house!) , I do this not only for my husband (i wouldnt like it if he never cared about his appearance) and to also set an example for my children, I want them to take pride in there appearance as well, however i also totally 'get' what you are saying.
Great post Veronica, you always encourage me so much with your writing.... Thank you :-)
Cassandra xx
You are to cute!! You crack me up. You really do :D
Thanks for always sharing your heart. Love the transparency.
Actually your post has made me think about taking more time to "care" for myself. My routine is usually....shower, dress, pull hair back and off to "work" :) Hubby comes home and I have food all over my clothes. Hair is everywhere. I might have some food on my face also..who knows!! I wonder why he still thinks I'm beautiful? LOL So I need to focus more on the outward....LOL
Oh and to comment on the other post....Walker is hilarious. Pimples!!! Ok, that had me laughing.
Love all those pics of the kids in the tent. To cute!!
Chris
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