Have you ever heard the expression, “Pretty is, as pretty does?” I knew of two women who were beautiful by the world’s standard, but once I got to know them, they weren’t so lovely any more. One in particular was condescending to others and to her family as well. She wasn’t generous, believed she deserved anything she desired. She wouldn’t let her mother drive her new car when she was in need. She was the same with her brother, and at times she would talk ugly about her co-workers and say unkind remarks about them, and when I would try to teach her a better way, being understanding of her, she would roll her eyes, at least until one day someone stood up to her, and made her stop for at least a moment and think on her ways. We probably have all encountered such personalities.
And then I have been around women, who were not as attractive, but when one would get to know them, the looks were not as important, for the heart was gentle and kind, understanding, affectionate, loving, with a demeanor many wanted to be around, and sought after when others had troubles in their lives. I have known women who were both attractive on the outside and on the inside as well.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was highly favored of God and must surely have been as the woman in Proverbs of whom God spoke of as the ideal woman.
“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:28-33
As we read further, we find Mary had a heart which readily accepted and believed what the angel told her. She apparently was a woman of a humble spirit and of humble means for we read:
“For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:48-50
May we be the kind of faithful Christian women God would have us be. We have the unique ability to soothe others, to be understanding, kind, ready to forgive, gentle in spirit, easily entreated, all the while influencing those around us, thereby glorifying God.
“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:30-31
“The fairest beauty is that which no camera can catch. When beauty is only skin deep, others can see beneath the surface. Outward beauty intoxicate the eye, but inward beauty grabs the heart.
“The comeliness which catches the eye can be deceptive, a pretty body with an ugly heart. External handsomeness is the package nature provides, but internal handsomeness is the contents man develops; only a few can have the former, but there is no excuse for anyone’s not having the latter. And concerning values, it is a poor product when the container is worth more than the filling.” ~ Leroy Brownlow
“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”
I Peter 3:3-5
Eileen Light