Health and Beauty – Page 2 – Women on God's Mission

Yesterday I bought a bag of cotton balls and a jar of face cleanser. God has given me one face, and I am determined to keep it in the best condition possible. As I stood in the store aisle, wanting to try something new and feeling overwhelmed by the hundreds of options, I chuckled when I thought about my great Aunt Helen. She’s enjoying life with God now, but while still on this earth, even into her nineties, she had nary a wrinkle. The nursing home staff begged to know what face care regimen she subscribed to: turned out, it was whatever cold cream was on sale at the time! I’ve been told that at least three enthusiastic nurses proceeded to raid local drugstores, stocking up on Aunt Helen creams. Thanking God for my beautiful (inside and out) Aunt Helen, I finally chose what I hoped would be the best match for my pores, placed it in the cart next to the doubleroll toilet paper and plush Easter bunnies, and headed toward the check-out counter.

Then, I knew it was time. Time once again to pass by those Cover Girls we all love. Their glaring double-lashed eyes and puckered sultry lips mocked me with silent scorn: “What’s the use? You’ll never be as thin and gorgeous as I am!” Armed with God’s strength, and with the word “airbrushed” palpitating in my brain, I pushed on through the dark tunnel of comparison … there, at the light at the end of the tunnel, was a friendly normal-sized young woman waiting to take my money. Glancing back at the beauty queens, I thought, “They too will get old and fat,” as I smiled a comforted, yet pitying, grin. Focus on God, Sara … soak in HIS beauty.

Choose Your Consequences
Eons before Cinderella, Hollywood, and Barbie, our first mother gave in to her curiosity … What if I could be like God? (There weren’t any other women, yet, with which to compare.) Eve never dreamed the cost of that single juicy bite:

sagging, bagging and wrinkling
excruciating pain
raging emotional battles
sapped energy
unsatisfied desires
loneliness
broken marriages
tears of despair
a billion-dollar skin care industry
eating disorders
plastic surgery
miscarriages
abortions/murder
self-centered esteem confusion
diet programs and weight loss infomercials
separation from God
death for all

We could go on and on, but you get the idea of the extensive “un-makeover” Eve thrust upon the entire human race. No doubt, if it had been you or me talking to that slimy Devil of a serpent, we would’ve fallen, too. I believe that if Eve had known the extensive ramifications of her disobedience – not only impacting herself, but bringing misery to all of her children and grandchildren, she NEVER would’ve munched. Sadly, she didn’t listen to, nor trust, God’s warnings.

Praise God, there is good news and hope for all of Eve’s children! Because of Christ’s substitutionary atonement on the cross, God offers forgiveness – if we will only receive His free gift by faith – He will remove all of our ugly sin and replace it with His grace, clothing us in His beautiful righteousness. Our CHOICE to take on the beauty of Jesus also has consequences:

a relationship with God
contentment
forgiveness
godly confidence
assurance of eternal life
a spiritual battle and the equipment to fight victoriously
the chance to invest our lives in what truly matters
children who will learn about true beauty and lasting values
comfort in pain
joy amidst trials
God using our weak hands to assist the needy and lift up the fallen
wisdom to feed the weary with chocolate chip cookies as well as the Word of Life
unending beauty that reflects God’s beauty to all around us

The consequences of choosing God’s gift of true beauty are of eternal benefit and priceless worth.

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

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April 10, 2012November 1, 2014 by Sara Categories: Church, Health and Beauty, Holidays, Mentoring, Missions 1 Comment

Do you have trouble sleeping peacefully through the night like I do? For me the cause can be a busy mind, not wanting to slow down (party time!), worries, or a physical ailment. I know this problem can either wear and grind, tempting me to whine and grouch at my family. Or, it can draw me to God in prayerful dependence.

God has a purpose in sleeplessness and restlessness. That purpose is greater than our need for sleep. One of my favorite poets, George Herbert (1593-1633), imagined what may have occured when the triune God planned our creation. I love this ancient poem:

The Pulley

When God at first made man, having a glasse of blessings standing by;

Let us (said he) poure on him all we can:

Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie,

Contract into a span.

So strength first made a way;

Then beautie flow’d, then wisdome, honor, pleasure:

When almost all was out, God made a stay,

Perceiving that alone of all his treasure

Rest in the bottome lay.

For if I should (said he)

Bestow this jewell also on my creature,

He would adore my gifts in stead of me,

And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature:

So both should losers be.

Yet let him keep the rest,

But keep them with repining restlessnesse:

Let him be rich and wearie, that at least,

If goodnesse leade him not, yet wearienesse

May tosse him to my breast.

George Herbert, 1633

There are many practical ideas to help one sleep better. I’d love to hear what works for you! Here are a few I’ve picked up along the way:

Don’ts

– Don’t eat after 7 p.m.

– Don’t be too active just before you need to sleep (walking or stretching is okay).

– Don’t eat dairy products late – they take at least 4 hours to digest.

Do’s

– Ask God to relax your mind and help you sleep.

– Turn off the TV and computer at least one hour before bed time.

– Exercise (earlier in the day)

– Keep your room organized and beautiful = a restful oasis.

– An idea from my Dad: beware of pride – your ideas aren’t so important that they can’t wait until tomorrow. 🙂

– For a mind that won’t slow down, listen to the radio on low volume all night.

– Have a regular bed time, and don’t deviate from it more than 30 minutes on the weekend.

– Read or do something that relaxes you, saving a Bible verse for just before you nod off.

– Try lettuce tea. Pour a cup of boiling hot water over a handful of lettuce in a mug, and let it steep for 30 minutes. I’ve tried this once, and it was amazing how it relaxed me. One of my friends quipped, “It worked for Peter Rabbit!”

– Journal before bed. This especially helps me if I direct my entry to God, telling His all that’s on my heart.

– Pray down your mental list of needs, remembering not just your needs but the needs of others.

– To relieve your mind, keep a notepad next to your bed to jot down thoughts.

– Quote Bible verses you’ve memorized.

– List your blessings by going through the alphabet, or list characteristics of God and thank Him for Who He is: Almighty, Beautiful Savior, Counselor …

Rest isn’t a right – it’s a gift. Let “The Pulley” of restlessness draw you to God.

“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

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