Inner Beauty
The world we live in seems to be obsessed with physical beauty, but that’s not the case with my Amish friends. The women and girls don’t wear makeup, jewelry, or fancy clothes. The men and boys dress plainly as well. Despite their plain dress, I have seen my Amish friend’s inner beauty, which doesn’t come from fancy clothes, makeup, or stylish hairdos.
Inner beauty isn’t something we can create for ourselves, and it can’t be purchased either. True inner beauty comes from God, because He is truly beautiful. It’s His gift to all who believe in and have accepted His Son, Jesus. The beauty of the Lord is a reflection of our Savior’s love.
Have you ever known someone whose face shined brightly with God’s inner beauty? You can see the joy of the Lord in their smile. You can hear God’s love in their voice. You know they have Jesus in their heart by their actions. Their inner beauty is the beauty of the Lord himself.
Here’s a verse of scripture that I’m reflecting on today:
“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.” Psalm 90:17 (KJV)
Do you see your inner beauty when you look in the mirror? Do you see the beauty of our Lord in someone you know?
What a sweet and wonderful devotional this is. How right you are! In our physical life, we reflect the image, characteristics and behavior of our parents. Those who of us who have been born again; that is trusting in The Lord Jesus Christ for salvation by His shed blood o the cross to save us from our sins, we become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), therefore we should reflect the image of our Heavenly Father, His characteristics and a Christ-like behavior. Yes, I do know some who show the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives and are wonderful examples for others. I hope my own life would be such a testimony. YES, the inner beauty is much more important, for Christ must be the center of our lives for a testimony, His honor and His glory. THANK YOU for posting this very good journal entry!
I enjoyed reading this. When I was a teen & in my early 20’s I wore makeup & my friend even periced my ears when I was 17 1/2 yrs old. Present time I don’t wear makeup, I still wear earings,but not fancy ( maybe someday I’ll give them up), & I don’t dye my hair. Thanks for posting this,too!!
Thank you for the simple and sweet message and for being obedient to the Lord’s calling on you to write. You have been a blessing to my life through your work. I can see that inner beauty shining through in what you write!
Blessings!
Thank you Wanda for this post.
I would like to share a story with you and your readers as to just how important our inner beauty can be for others.
In Aug 2005 my life changed so dramatically that I still to this day have a hard time believing that is really happened.
At that time in my life I had been addicted to illegal drugs and had no care about life. God knew better and He woke me up. It was as if someone had slapped me in the back of the head. I heard the undeniable voice within my soul say ” GO TO ARKANSAS!”
Now I must admit though I did know of God I did not follow Him. But anyway I listened to that voice and packed my bags leaving behind me my entire family.
I called an old friend who live in that state and sure enough she welcomed me into her home. At that time I wore my tattoos and piercings with pride, loads of makeup to cover up the scars of my addiction, and spoke with words no human should ever use. But because of her love for God and His son Jesus she overlooked these faults and loved me until I was able to love myself.
In Feb of 2006 I stopped by a yard sale and while there the lady holding the sale came up to me and started a conversation about God’s love. I listened with all I had in my heart.
When I got home that night I again heard that inner voice speak too me.
” This is not who you are!”
” Who am I ?” I asked
The voice said, “You are my child under construction.”
At that very moment I went into the bathroom and removed the piercings.
I am a new person created in God’s image
Had these women not had the Spirit of God in their hearts and the desire to eminate that Spirit I would probably still be lost in my world of sin.
I desire daily to show others the Spirit of God within myself
Thank you Wanda for your lovely books may God continue to bless you and your family
Thanks you for sharing that very touching post. May God bless you richly.
I LOVE READING THIS I DON’T WERE MAKEUP I DONT WARE EAR RINGS ONLY RIG’S I WERE IS THE ONES I HAVE WHEN WE GOT MARRIED I DON’T WEAR HIGHT DOLLERS CLOUGHES JUST PLAIN ONE’S I GET FROM A 2 HAND STORE I’M JUST ME I LOVE IT THIS WAY PPL LOOK AT ME FUNNY BUT I GUESS EVERY ONE LOOKS DIFFERNT
Wanda, I have read almost all of your books, and just finished “Half Stitched Amish Quilters
Club”. It was different from your other books and I really enjoyed it. The way each persons
life was changed partly due to the interaction of the quilters club, prayers of Emma and Ruby
and other circumstances. Was really touched when Star found her father, Emma got married
and Pam and Stuart realized they still loved each other very much. Great book!
Yes, it is inner beauty that counts and God looks on the heart. Yet, He surrounds us with beauty in His handiwork, in the variety of flowers, topography, birds, trees, animals and people, including how each physically appears. It is clear to me He wants us to have variety and beauty, and yes, even in the gemstones He creates. The things of true value can not be bought…salvation, friends, dear relatives…but I can not imagine Our Lord frowning on us for enjoying the beauty He creates, which include gemstones, beautiful horses of a variety of hues and markings, and they are what to me seem PART of the good and perfect gifts He enables us sometimes to enjoy. That is the main thing I do not understand about Amish lifestyles…very plain, similar clothing and usually dull colored but very good horses with accent on plain things. I own many clothes bought at yard sales and thrift shops. I often choose the prettiest, not to “outshine” anyone else (“home made” is usually costlier) but because God gave me a desire to see beauty in souls and spirits as well as with my eyes. God accents beauty in souls AND physical things. An unlovely person is unlovely in diamonds and furs or rags and a lovely soul is lovely in rags or whatever they choose to wear.
DEAR WANDA:
I AM AN AVID READER OF AMISH BOOKS.. I HAVE READ SO MANY OF YOUR BOOKS.
I JUST ENTERED THE CONTEST AT SHIPSHAWWA, INDIANA FOR THE SHOWING OF YOUR NEW BOOK MADE INTO A MOVIE… I LIVE IN DOWAGIAC, MICHIGAN WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO SHIPSHWANA.
OH HOW I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT MOVIE. I RARELY GO TO MOVIES BUT WOULD LOVE TO SEE THIS ONE.
I HAVE READ SO MANY OF YOUR BOOKS AND JUST CAN’T PUT THEM DOWN UNTILL FINISHED AND READY FOR THE NEXT ONE..
WE HAVE A WONDERFUL LIBRARY HERE IN DOWAGIAC AND I AM ONE OF THEIR FAITHFUL READERS…
BLESS YOU FOR GIVING OF YOUR TALENT TO SO MANY LOVERS OF GOOD WHOLESOME BOOKS ABOUT LIFE..
MAURINE HUFFINES
h.maurine@yahoo.com
Miss Wanda,
I am 49 years old and I have read all of your Amish books except for the newest one you just put out. I am a ‘Preachers Wife” also. About 9 years ago the Lord started showing me things that I had never been taught and I had many many choices to make. I had to decide to be obedient to him or follow the worlds way. I chose to follow Christ. There were many things that I gladly laid aside. I could never thank him ENOUGH for loving me ENOUGH to show me these new truths! Through my obedience and his leading we are now in a place that we never could have been if it wasn’t for the truth. “BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT.”
I have many dear friends in Lancaster Pa. that are Amish and Mennonite. What a pleasure it has been for my family and myself to have these people in our lives. There is nothing like true friends. Thank you for all of the books that you have written… I LOVE EACH ONE!! May God continue to bless you in your efforts.
I have tried to teach my childern that looks doesnt matter, it’s what’s in the heart. We love reading your books. I hope to one day be able to visit the amish community.
I agree what the passage have said.”The beauty of the Lord is a reflection of our Savior’s love.”Wow! How beautiful this sentence is. Yes, beauty doesn’t mean our physical apperance,we have to look deep in our heart.Inner beauty is more imortant. The true beauty is come from God. We-human is created by God. As we see themwe actually are see,talk,live wiyh God. So,I’ll try my best to love the people that surounddeed me just like Jesus loves me as a sinner.
I WAS LOST BUT I HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE HEART OF GOD.I PRAY HIS PRAISE EVERDAY.GAVE ALL MY SINS TO HIM,AN ENJOY LIFE TO THE FULLIST.HE HAS BEEN THERE WHEN I WAS WEAK,DOWN OR FELT ALONE.SO NOW I LIVE THE SIMPLE LIFE,NO MAKEUP TO COVER ME UP.FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WILL OPEN A WHOLE NEW JOURNEY IF YOU JUST LET HIM IN.