Heart to Heart: Beauty Is In The Eyes Of Our Creator

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. -Ecclesiastes 3:11

Do you ever feel unattractive? Maybe there are certain things about your appearance that you wish you could change. It's easy to look at others and see their beauty, but look at ourselves and see our imperfections. I think it is extremely important to first of all note, that almost everyone thinks this way. Most girls look at others and see their beauty and only see "flaws" in themselves. So you are your own biggest critic! But it's most important to know what God sees. Today's verse tells us that God has made everything beautiful in its time. He is our creator, and we are beautiful to Him! How comforting is that? God made you, and He made you beautiful.  If God made you beautiful, then He will show others your beauty as well. When He brings your future husband into your life, He will show him how beautiful you are. Who cares what everyone else thinks along the way?

Another important thing to note is that He has made everything beautiful "in its time". You might look at your acne in the mirror and think of how unattractive it is. First remember that no one notices it as much as you, then remember that God made you beautiful. It might just be part of puberty that passes, and in time, you will be acne free. Your issue might come more with a physical feature, maybe you think your nose is too big (or too small). While those things probably won't change, God can still use them to add to your beauty. Maybe your future husband finds that attractive, or maybe God wants you to learn to find it beautiful. God doesn't make mistakes. He made us beautiful, we just have to open our eyes to see us the way that He does.

Reflection:

Do you look in the mirror and see yourself as God's beautiful creation, or something less?

Application:

Spend today thanking God for making you beautiful! Praise Him for even the things about you that you don't find attractive, and ask Him to show you your beauty.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for making me beautiful! Thank you for never making mistakes. Please show me my beauty, and help me to focus more on the beauty of your creation, and less on the things that I personally don't like. You are the perfect creator, who am I to pick apart what you designed to perfection? Thank you, Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

FANTASY CLOSET: European Boho

This outfit looks very European Boho to me. I love it. This would be perfect for my upcoming Mediterranean cruise! :)

Where would you wear an outfit like this?

Jaeger circle top
Antik Batik maxi skirt
Mulberry tall leather boots
Suede handbag
Philippe Audibert rose gold bangle
Loren Hope 14k jewelry
OPI Nail Polish - Mermaids Tears

Heart to Heart: Sharing God's Grace

Are you selfish with grace?


Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? —Luke 6:41


It is so easy to see when other people are screwing up. We could sit there all day and point out flaws in other people's actions, especially those of other Christians. However, that isn't what God wants from us. I love that Jesus, the only perfect person to ever walk the face of the earth didn't do that. He could have. He is the only one who has ever had the right to cast stones, yet instead, He gave His life for us, so that we could be forgiven. But we don't offer grace like that. We are certainly happy to receive God's grace. We are thankful that He is so gracious towards us, but then we sit there and look down on others. We judge them because we don't think that they dress the right way, or talk the right way. We stick our noses up at others because we don't think that they are as good as we are, or worthy of our attention. I don't know about you, but I am certainly thankful that Jesus didn't treat us that way.

Unlike Jesus, who was perfect in every way, we are sinners. We sin every single day in some way or another. 1 John 1 says that if we say we have not sinned we make Christ out to be a liar, and if we say that there is no sin in us we deceive ourselves. We sin; all of us, each and every one of us sin. But instead of working through our own salvation, we focus on the sins of others. It may make us feel a whole lot better, but it isn't what God wants from us. He doesn't want us to hoard His grace all to ourselves, but to show that same grace to others. Jesus didn't die for our sins alone, but for the sins of the world. That includes the lady at church who frequently gossips about others. That includes the sins of your best friend, even if they are sins against you. It includes the sins of our parents, of our peers, teachers, and family.

Reflection:
Do you offer the same grace to others as God has offered to you? Or are you busy casting stones and worrying about others sins instead of your own?

Application:
Every time you catch yourself judging someone, compliment them on something that they do well. Even if it is someone clear across the room, walk over and compliment them. If it is someone who you aren't with, pick up a phone and call them just to tell them something nice.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I am so selfish with your grace! Please forgive me. I have been casting stones and pointing out their flaws instead of working on my own shortcomings. Help me to encourage others, even in my thoughts. Help me to focus on my own sins, and grow closer to you. My walk with you is the only one that I have control over, so help me to focus my thoughts on sharing your grace, and growing in my love for you. In the name of your Son I pray. Amen.



Written by Heather Hart

Jewelry Box: One In A Million

Inspired by the beautiful, talented and wise, Priscilla Shirer, I wanted to start a new series here on the blog. Jewelry Box posts will consist of treasures for the soul...words of wisdom shared by fellow believers who help us to grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Whereas my Heart to Heart blog posts share more of my own experiences and encouragement, this series will focus more on the gifts and knowledge of others. There are so many Godly women (and men) who can teach and inspire and I want to make this a community of Christ-seeking people. To uplift one another through God's Word and grace.

So here is a brief video from Priscilla Shirer talking about her book: One In A Million. She is the author of several books, a great speaker, wife, mother and Christ follower. Be sure to check out her website at www.goingbeyond.com to learn more about her and her ministry.