Wow... True Beauty

I went down to London over the weekend to check out my new college. My dad and I took a megabus down to London which cost only 10 pounds (normally, a train down would cost 20 pounds). The downside of that was the journey took 4 hours and my dad had to look at my green car-sick face the whole time. Other than that, it was a nice journey and it was exciting to be back in London and to recognise streets such as Baker Street, with all the Sherlock Holmes memorabilia.

We stayed at the house of one of his friends, and once again I learnt more lessons about true beauty. This lady, a small, unimposing woman, took us in and cared for us as though we were her own family. She could not stop talking about the Lord. She had a lovely house with a lovely garden and a stream running through it, and it was evident that she had been given much because she had given so much to Him.

Proverbs 31 says:

"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life...

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy...

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

This woman was a Proverbs 31 woman. She was already busy with much to do in church and had people popping in and out of her house day and night. Yet she was up early making full English breakfasts for us every morning; making four or five course meals at night; she chattered away endlessly and happily, she made sure we knew train times and made sure we were well provided for - she was responsible, organised, sharp and efficient. In her I saw true beauty, the beauty of a woman who feared God and loved Him.

So I learnt one more thing about true beauty - a truly beautiful woman doesn't really have to be a streotypically sweet woman. A truly beautiful woman is a strong woman who isn't afraid to obey God.

All your talents, all your qualifications, and all that you have done, don't give you true beauty. The only true beauty is the beauty that comes from a pure heart, a heart that is fixed on Him : )