Recently, I have found myself tagged in posts on Facebook, encouraging me to post five photos of myself that make me feel beautiful.  I understand the sentiment behind the request to post and share with others.  Many women do not acknowledge themselves as being pretty, pleasing, or even acceptable to look upon, much less beautiful.

There is a big difference between looking beautiful and being beautiful.  Think about some beautiful people you know.  Just what is it that makes them beautiful?  Minus the makeup, what is left?

Let’s go at this another way.  Think about a peacock.  Most people will agree that they are beautiful birds, right?  Check out this peacock video.

Beautiful display on the outside, horrid noises from deep inside.  And sadly, I know people like that.  And, some of the most beautiful people I know aren’t much to look at if you are searching for Mr. or Ms. Universe.  What good is a lovely face without a lovely soul?

Pretty ≠ beautiful ≠ lovely

Let’s change this idea of what constitutes beauty and what makes us feel beautiful, shall we?

My Five Photos That Make Me Feel Beautiful

Beautiful Eyes

…in order that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you (the) spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him, having had the eyes of your heart enlightened, so that you might know what is the hope of His calling, what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power in us, the ones believing according to the working of the might of His strength…                            Ephesians 1:17-19

To me, this passage encourages me to use the vision and knowledge God has given me of His grace and how I can bless others with that grace.  I can see the hurting, I can see the needy, and I can see what I can do for them.  That is why my eyes are beautiful.

Beautiful Hands

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.  Psalm 90:17

I believe that what I do shows who I am.  Maybe not absolutely every little thing shows my belief, especially when my physical needs are overwhelming me, but overall, it is not difficult to see how I feel about taking care of God’s children and His creation.  I don’t wear my Christianity like a badge; I wear it like my skin. I want to always share His awesomeness in my actions.  That is why my hands are beautiful.

Beautiful Belly

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.  Proverbs 17:6

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.                               Psalm 127:3

 My belly is soft and sometimes saggy.  The skin is stretched and scarred.  This same belly that sometimes causes me dread and disgust is the same belly that was home, nourishment, comfort, and safety to four of my six children.  How can I deny the marks from the miracle of giving life?  That is why my belly is beautiful.

Beautiful Ears

The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.                                 Proverbs 12:15

Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and and understand.”                        Matthew 15:10

I have a 40% hearing loss in my right ear.  Due to multiple swimmer’s ear infections I had as a child, scar tissue on my eardrum, causing the tissue to not vibrate properly in response to sounds.  Unfortunately, some of my husband’s vocal tones fall into the sounds that I have difficulty hearing.  I have learned to tune out some of the distracting noises when he is talking, along with focusing on his face during discussions.  This is actually a good thing to practice with everyone.  By listening closely, avoiding distraction, and focusing on the speaker, I can sometimes hear what is not being said along with the spoken words.  How can I help someone without knowing their needs and feelings?  How can I understand unless I seek to understand?  Listening with love is life-giving.  That is why my ears are beautiful.

Beautiful Feet

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  Romans 10:14-15

Let’s face it:  I do not like feet.  Is there an opposite to a foot fetish?  If so, that is what I have.  Feet tend to be dirty, they look funny, and they smell.  But they are also pretty important.  If you don’t have feet, or even have only one foot, you have to adapt, using prosthesis or other devices to get around, or even just figure out a different way to move.  The most important movements we can make are toward sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  This doesn’t require feet or even mobility in this day and age like it did in 50 B.C.  Feet are handy (ba-dump-ump-shkish) but faith is forever.  My feet remind me to take His message of salvation and share it wherever I go.  That is why my feet are beautiful.

Take Away

The most important lesson I would like you to remember is this: