True Beauty

   Her smile stretches across her face from her left ear to her right. Her eyes sparkle like diamonds. Her eyes hold so much joy, so much love. She is determined and confident. She has never let her physical body hold her back from doing what she desires. Many have given up on her and have deemed her ugly and worthless because of her physical disabilities. However, I see her as beautiful. I do not see beauty as something one can grasp on their own or attain through adorning their body with jewels and fancy clothing; rather to me, beauty is a heart so full of God’s love that it overflows into everything that person does.

      This world has always been trying to tell us what one must do and how one must look to be beautiful. The world’s idea of beauty and my idea of beauty do not match up. The world tells us again and again that beauty is all about how one looks like on the outside. We are told to follow all of the latest trends, spend hours each day grooming ourselves, and pay thousands of dollars to keep up with the constantly changing fashions. Then, we will be beautiful. The girl I described above will most likely never measure up to the world’s definition of beauty. I do not want her to. I do not find the newest and most popular trends capable of making people beautiful. Yes, they show that you are fashion conscious and take care to ensure that you are well groomed, but they only address your outward beauty. People are not beautiful to me because they have fancy clothes or have perfect skin and hair. Outward beauty cannot compete with the beauty that comes from a heart filled with God’s love.

      My definition of beauty does not start with a great wardrobe. Clothes quickly become worn and stained, but beauty that comes from within is lasting. When one’s heart has been captured by God and consumed with His love, everyone who comes into contact with them can see the difference. Their smile is genuine and captures the attention of everyone around them. Their eyes twinkle like stars, because Jesus’ light is shining forth from them. Their priorities change. No longer are they only looking to promote themselves. Their purpose now is to encourage others and invite them to a relationship with Jesus. This is beautiful to me.

      This kind of beauty cannot be attained through any amount of money. No amount of sparkling jewels or flashy new clothes can measure up to the beauty that comes from a heart devoted to God. Without God, this beauty is impossible to attain.  The girl I described above does not have fancy clothes. Her clothes are tattered and full of holes. Her skin and hair are not perfect. Her hair is often a ratted mess, and her skin is spotted with scars from her past.  She has no money to spend on new clothes or beauty treatments. Yet, she is one of the most beautiful people I know.

    Her beauty comes from her heart. Her heart overflows with God’s love in everything she does. She is constantly looking for ways to help her brothers and sisters. She doesn’t let her physical disabilities hinder her from loving and helping others. This is beautiful. She loves to sing songs of praise to God. Her face is constantly filled with her bright smile. Her laughter can fill an entire room. This is what makes her beautiful to me. Her beauty is not dependent on her outward appearance. Her beauty comes from within. She is beautiful because of her relationship and love for Jesus. People are beautiful to me not because of what they have done to make themselves beautiful. People are beautiful to me because their hearts have been immersed in the love of Jesus and His love is evident in all that they do.