Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
~Proverbs 31:30

Friday night at BlissDom I had the opportunity to attend a private dinner hosted by Therapon at the invitation of my buddy Robin, who is one of the Therapon bloggers. At one point we went around the room and each answered the question:

What is real beauty?

It should come as no surprise that the general consensus was that real beauty is on the inside. Most of us realize that by the time we’re adults. Unfortunately, I apply that rule to everyone but me.

Do I see smile lines? No, they’re wrinkles.

Do I proudly acknowledge the battle scars from carrying eight new lives into this world? My husband does. I see stretch marks.

I see a number on the scales that’s 7-10 pounds above where I think it should be. Why do I expect to weigh the same thing I did in high school?

I want to age gracefully, but inside I’m fighting all the way.

Do you focus on the exterior and see inner beauty in everyone but yourself?

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ~1 Peter 3:4

Please visit the other ladies participating in 31 Days of Ministry Online at A Woman Inspired:

• Amy Bayliss – 31 Days of Heart Matters
• Karin – 31 Days of Intentional Parenting
• Jen – 31 Days of Social Media
• Lisa Boyd – 31 Days of WordPress
• Karen Lewis – 31 Days of Praise
• A Martha Heart – 31 Days of Prayer