“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”—Proverbs 31:30
This week I celebrate my 58th birthday. I often remind myself that age is just a number. I’m not going to lie and tell you I don’t spend money on anti-aging treatments, because I do. I have a draw full of creams and scrubs to help with those “fine lines” along with my monthly box of Clairol #5 to cover my gray hairs.
However, rather than focus on wrinkles, this week I am thanking God for giving me another year of life. Not only that but as we age, we can face our own health issues or experience them with others in our life.
While 2024 has been a challenge for me with my mother, thankfully, I remained healthy to help meet her health needs. I know there are many others with much more difficult circumstance than dealing with an aging parent with Alzheimer’s.
As I was reading Proverbs 31 to write this post, I was struck with the fact that nowhere in it is appearance mentioned. It talks about her reverence in the Lord, but not her physical beauty. The Proverbs 31 woman knew her worth and value in God, which is more valuable than outer beauty.
There is nothing wrong with me buying face creams to care for my aging skin, but if my beauty routine is longer than my quiet time with the Lord, my spiritual life is going to suffer. It is hard to have a true reverence for the Lord if my priorities are skewed.
I am trying hard to age with grace. Growing old is inevitable, but I don’t have to live it. I can choose to be young in spirit and soul. Some of the ladies in my knitting group have shown me this. Despite heart surgeries or other health issues, they don’t let it deter them from serving the Lord. I can only hope and pray in another 20 years, I will have that same spunk and love for Jesus as they do.
As I wrap up 2024 another year older, I am also another year wiser. I have been dedicated to reading and learning God’s Word, which helps cultivate my inner beauty.
Psalm 139:14 tells us that God has fearfully and wonderfully made each of us. This includes how we will age. Every laugh line on my face is evidence of a life well lived. I give God the glory for each day He has given me to live, love and laugh.
Father God,
Forgive me when I pay more attention to my outward appearance than inner beauty. Beauty is truly fleeting, but a life surrendered to You is to be praised. Thank You, Lord for giving me another day. Help me to gracefully grow old and not lose sight of what really matters in Your Kingdom; sharing the love of Jesus to a broken hurting world who are in need of a Savior. May I live a life to honor You in all I do. It is in the name of Jesus Christ that I pray these things. Amen.
December Verse
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”—John 1:14 (NASB)
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