Guest post by Mindy Lancaster

As I look at my 42 year reflection in the mirror, I wonder do I see the beauty? In this gray hair, the “beauty marks” on my face, the softness in what was once a bicep, the roundness of my face, the double digit pant size, the large shirts, the lack of eyebrows? I wonder, do I? Do you? See the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit?

The beauty from ashes? Or do we let the scars and wounds from a painful broken childhood or an abusive spouse still speak louder than the voice of our Heavenly Father? I’m tired… I’m tired of letting that voice override the comforting, caring, powerful voice of my King! I want His words to ring through my reflection into my actions!

So here are my thoughts on a reflection of beauty… Let’s replace beautiful as a description of our outward appearance and place it on our actions. Instead of “If only I lost 10 pounds,” “If my hair were this color,” “If I exercised more, if I ate less”…. Then I would be beautiful! Let’s shut out the lies of the enemy and focus on the truths of God’s Word. Let’s be reminded of what our Father says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” —Romans 10:15 NIV

When we see a union between husband and wife, love of a parent… we say ohh that’s beautiful! Remember, don’t compare or say “They must be blind” if she said I am beautiful or “I know they aren’t talking about me”… be reminded of God’s calling of Samuel. “When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:6 7 NIV God doesn’t put a premium on appearance! We do! We are drawn to beautiful things… it’s not a mistake to appreciate beauty… it’s when we assume beauty equals our worth! Or that beauty equals love! Remember the description of Jesus in Isaiah 53:2-3 “He grew He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” God’s one and only…. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… we claim… but often we choose the wrong beholder. Our Father, sees past our pants size, our hair color… to our heart! He sees His creation, someone He loves so much that He loves more than life, that He chose to come as man and die for! Now that is beautiful…

Beautiful is an action my friends! Beauty is from ashes… suffering, pain, heart ache, loss, grief… those that choose healing over suffering, hope over heartbreak… that is beautiful. Isaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”‬‬‬

He Is the Healer, Restorer, and reminds us of our purpose! ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

It is that of a gentle and quiet spirit “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Beautiful is seeing past the reflection and seeing the best in others, it’s humility, it’s perseverance, endurance, comforting those who hurt, cheering for those who struggle, and helping them finish their race! Beautiful is knowing you’re beautiful because the One who created you claims you saying You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Relish in His beauty and yours!!

So let’s put down the mirrors and DO BEAUTIFUL… my friends!

Mindy Lancaster is God made, Jesus saved and Louisiana raised. Mindy is living out the Heartfelt story. She has worked in the dental field for over 20 years where she makes a point to build relationships with each of her patients and shares Jesus with them. Mindy’s story goes deep and she is letting God use her and her to touch others. Along with sharing at Heartfelt events, Mindy speaks to women’s prison ministries, single mom groups and other women’s groups. She and her husband, Michael and have 3 children and 2 grandsons. Mindy and her family are members of WFR church where she serves on the Children’s ministry team. Mindy and Michael live at Camp Ch-Yo-Ca where they serve and work.