How beautiful are you?

 Did you have a Valentine's date this year?  Whether married or not, if you went to dinner you probably (hopefully ;o) ) took some time with your appearance.  You planned your clothes to be flattering and maybe a little dressy.  Whether you curled, straightened or did an updo, you probably put some extra time and thought into doing your hair.  You might have even added on a little extra makeup; made your lips a little redder, your eyeshadow a little more smokey, and your bronzer might have had some extra glitter and sparkle to it.  It's fun to dress up and look beautiful for our husbands, isn't it?

As I was reading this morning I came across the word "beauty."  And it made me pause and think. It was especially timely since Patrick and I just had a romantic dinner date. (And yes, he told me I was beautiful :o) )

"And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us:"

Psalm 90:17

Before I go any further, let me just say, we ought to try and look beautiful for our husbands!  We were very aware of our appearance before we were married, we should be just as diligent,  if not more so, to be beautiful for our husbands now.  So put on a little extra makeup, glamour, and hairspray.  Your man deserves it!!

But have you ever really thought about having the "beauty of the Lord" upon you?  And what does that even mean?  When we think about qualities of our God we think Compassionate, Loving, Faithful, Longsuffering, and a ton of others.  He's so amazing, isn't he? But have you ever thought about His beauty?

 In Deuteronomy chapter 28 we see the promises of God given to the children of Israel for when they obeyed Him and kept His commandments.  But then, later in the chapter, we see the curses if they don't obey.  It's interesting that one of the curses is that they would be an "astonishment" to other nations.  This actually isn't a good thing.  It means they would be seen as a waste and as appalling. Appalling is not beautiful, it's actually quite ugly and revolting. They wouldn't have the beauty of God upon them. 

 How did this happen?  Verse 47 says it's because they didn't serve the LORD with joyfulness and with gladness of heart.  I think this is the key here to beauty.  Joyfulness.  Gladness of Heart.  How is that going for you?  We all have seen a truly joyful christian.  They are happy, encouraging and uplifting even through their difficulties.  They are beautiful.  It's not that they have it all together. And it's not about their clothes, hair or makeup.  They have a beauty from within.  They have the beauty of the Lord. His beauty!

It's interesting that this verse starts with the phrase "And let" It's up to us to allow, permit, apply (just as you would our makeup routine) the beauty of God to our lives.  It is our choice!  Just as I put all that effort to be beautiful for my Patrick before our date, I need to let God's beauty be upon me! And dear sister, it's beautiful to have the joy of the Lord and gladness of heart. 

So add that extra sparkle today.  Inside and out!

Seeking to please Him,

Kami