The Proverbs 32 Woman: A 5-Day Devotional PlanНамуна

What It Takes to Look Natural These Days

The other day my friend gave me the sweetest compliment. She said, “You are so naturally beautiful! What’s your secret?” 

I burst out laughing. I live in La La Land out here in California, and “natural” beauty is expensive! It takes a village for me to look oh-so-natural in those oh-so-filtered “nonfiltered” Instagram shots I post. Is God okay with all of that? 

Didn’t the ladies in the Bible get piercings and tattoos? And didn’t they partake in some intense mud baths? I wonder what kind of beauty rituals the Proverbs 31 Woman had? The Bible says she rose early, but maybe that was the only time she could get a bath before her kids got up. 

My younger daughter, Ruby, often comes in my bathroom and says, “Mommy, I want lipstick just like you.” So I let her, and yes, she shows up at Sunday school looking a bit colorful at times.

I have a verse plastered on my bathroom wall from Psalm 46:5 NIV: “God is within her, she will not fall...” When I saw it again this morning, I burst out laughing at the irony of those words posted above all of my makeup and serums in my so-called “natural” beauty routine. 

The question I ponder is this: How important is all of this beauty nonsense? Could I live without it? The answer is yes, of course I could. Do I want to? Not really. 

Is God telling me it’s alright to play dress up once in a while? I think He’s okay with it, as long as the most important part of me is untainted: my heart. 

Underneath the glitter and frosting, what is going on inside? Where do I find my real value? I’d like to tell you I find it in my faith in God, and I’m working to make sure that’s a true statement. 

Dear God, 

Help me remember that I am a one-of-a-kind original. You only make masterpieces. Help me see myself the way You do. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.