Imperishable Beauty

I didn’t tell them I’m allergic to pollen.

Modesty is one of those topics that people take personally. Conversations about modesty can turn into arguments. Lines can be drawn and sides taken. In actuality, though, odds are that both sides agree on modesty for the most part and are arguing over the details. At it’s heart, modesty is not about clothes, it’s not about rules, it’s not about style. Modesty is about

One of the struggles I have, which I’m sure is a common struggle for mothers, is teaching my daughters about makeup, and why I can wear it, and they can’t, and all that that entails.

I don’t want to pass on the wrong image, that makeup is necessary, or that makeup is what makes me beautiful.

So I try to explain that I don’t NEED makeup. That it doesn’t MAKE me beautiful. God makes us beautiful, from the heart. But that it can help me to look really nice. And that that’s okay, if I want to look nice for the right reasons, like dressing up just a little before Daddy comes home.

But then I ask myself: How can I tell them I am going to keep and use something if I don’t NEED it. Usually, the rule about stuff is “If you don’t need it, throw it out.” And how can I say that I don’t need makeup to be beautiful and then turn around and dress up for Daddy by putting makeup on? Surely this must come across as a little confusing.

To clarify, I don’t wear a lot of makeup, and most days around the home I only wear mascara and lip gloss - if I wear any at all. And trying to look clean and well kept for when my husband arrives involves making sure I’m not wearing slouchy or stained clothes, making sure that I have remembered to brush my hair today (because, yeah, sometimes I need to check), making sure my teeth are freshly brushed, and adding a touch of makeup. It’s the whole package. Not just the makeup.

Still, actions speak louder than words.

Also, even though I only wear mascara and lipgloss, I’m not saying that it wouldn’t be okay to wear more than that. I just don’t.

So what do we tell our children?

What it boils down to for me is this:

I tell my girls that makeup does not make people beautiful. Makeup can enhance a person’s features. But attitude makes a person beautiful. Or not. Even a person wearing the best-looking makeup can come across with an ugly attitude, and that is what will stand out.

Also, makeup itself is not bad or good. Things cannot be good or evil. Our attitude towards them can. If we, in ourhearts, take pride in our beautifully made up face and spend too much time in front of the mirror making it just-so-perfect… that is sin. If we covet makeup products or foolishly spend too much money on them… that is sin also.

On the other hand, if the desire of my heart is simply to be clean and pleasing to my husband, or being clean and a good witness for Christ if you are single, then that…that is pleasing to God.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Thoughts?