Monday, July 9, 2012

What Beautiful Eyes You Have

How often do we go out of our way to tell little girls what beautiful eyes or hair they have and little boys how handsome they are.  We ooh and ah over curls, dresses, bows and hats or cute pants, shirts and baseball caps.  What about the children who don't have such fine clothes or beautiful hair and eyes - at least what the world calls beautiful?  What about them?  I shudder when I think about "Tiara Toddlers," little girls who are dressed to look and act like seductive women, whose parents spend almost 100% of their time and much of their income dedicated to teaching adult actions, attitudes and behaviors to these children - along with a distorted image of beauty.

Have you ever seen the video on YouTube called the "Dove Evolution"? If not, watch it.  It shows a very average, nice-looking young woman coming into a studio getting ready for "hair and makeup."  The video moves in warp speed showing the rapid transformation of this young woman's appearance with application of makeup and creation of a "do." The camera backs away as the woman is transformed into a still image.  Then comes the Photoshop.  Her eyebrows are arched, neck lengthened, ears lowered, shoulders narrowed, and lips enhanced.  The camera backs further away as she becomes a strikingly beautiful image on a large billboard.  The picture fades as these words dramatically appear, "no wonder our perception of beauty is so distorted." 

That's the world finally learning what God's Word told us long ago.  There's no evidence the producers of this video ever heard or read that "charm is deceitful and beauty is vain (excessive obsession with looks, achievements, gifts, etc.) or that "man (the world) looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart."  They didn't quote the Lord's admonition in I Peter 3 that our beauty or adornment shouldn't be just external - fixing our hair, wearing jewelry or putting on dresses - not that we shouldn't do those things, but that it shouldn't be our primary focus.  

The older I get, the more I realize that with age, outward beauty goes, but with age, inward beauty grows. I pray every day that my inward beauty shines brightest because that beauty is eternal.  Besides, it really doesn't matter how many times we nip and tuck it, the outward (wo)man is going away.  I love Jeff Foxworthy.  He once said that people are always wondering what a man's thinkin'.  He said, "Well, I'll tell ya.  It's usually something like 'I wanna beer and to see something nekked.'"  Then he said that God got him back because the other day he saw his grandma "nekked."  He said that no man ought to see his grandma "nekked" cuz there ain't nothin' in its right place.  I apologize to any gentlemen reading this ahead of time, but I told Frank the other day that I don't have a cup size anymore.  It's just mainly a 38 Long.  Those are the facts.  I'm growing old, but remember under those size 38 longs beats a heart with the marvelous opportunity to grow more beautiful by the minute.  

The point is, this ole' world is going to do everything possible to ingrain in our children a powerfully destructive message about the meaning of real beauty.  That's how our children will grow up unsatisfied, always looking in the wrong place for affirmation and letting their reflection in the mirror be their source of self worth.  Let's purpose that we won't be part of it.  The next time you give a child a compliment, make it a recognition of his character and not about her looks.  How about, "that dress is beautiful on you because you have a beautiful heart.  Or, you are beautiful or handsome in God's eyes when you obey Mommy and Daddy.  What a great smile you have.  That comes from a happy heart.  Think before you compliment and remember those little eyes and ears are watching, listening, and searching our words and deeds for what is important.  Be an example of true beauty.  Love to you all, and keep approaching each day with joy.  Mecca


3 comments:

  1. Wow!! Thanks for the reminder!! I usually try to compliment an attribute of a child but have to admit, I do love a cute outfit. I needed this today!!

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  2. After reading this post, I am reminded, particularly after your reference to "Dove Evolution," of a documentary by Jean Kilbourne called "Killing Us Softly 4." It is the fourth evolution of a lecture that she did about the effect that advertising has on women, men, and children...especially regarding image. You used to be able to view it in its entirety on youtube. However, it has since been removed and the only way to view it without having to pay the $300 cost to universities is here: http://www.mediaed.org/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=241&template=PDGCommTemplates/HTN/Item_Preview.html. It takes a bit of time and the viewing is not ideal for obvious reasons. If you have time and can get past the size and the writing on the screen, it is well worth watching.

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