Everywhere I look, I am bombarded with images of the “perfect” woman…..sleek shiny flowing hair, tall slender legs, flawless beauty, perfect hips and dressed provocatively. Then, I look in the mirror.
Not so long ago, I could only see the graying, adult acne dotted face staring back at me. I can remember examining my body…ha…. not so sleek, nor slender. I would smear the make up on and tease the hair spending over an hour getting ready for work.
When we made the decision for me to stay home, our budget became our top priority leaving my vanity behind. We were spending $50 a month on haircuts. I was spending $75 a month on creams, gels, and make up….not to mention hair color, hairspray and shampoos. We had to make sacrifices.
First, I cut my hubby’s and son’s hair. This dropped our haircut cost to $35. I talked to my hairdresser and explained my daughter and I need stylish yet simple and cost effective to maintain plus we could only visit every 8-10 weeks instead of monthly. My long hair went short and my daughter’s went long. I started coloring my hair with coloring from Dollar General which was 3 bucks. Eventually, I stopped coloring my hair all together going natural and accepting the fact I have gray hair. I simplified my make up, hair styling products and shampoos. Not only did I save money but I was saving time.
The beauty of it all is that I am content. My focus on myself has changed. I am not a slob but I don’t make it a top priority. I must say I have found freedom from the vanity slave. It takes me 20 minutes to shower, dress, style and walk out the door. It is amazing….and the best part…. my daughter isn’t consumed with her looks unlike a lot of her peers. She likes the natural look and I am glad. She could easily fall prey to the vanity bug. And my hubby says I am more beautiful. Now that makes me feel like a school girl……
God says in the Bible that He looks at the heart rather than the outward appearance. Our outward beauty should come from living a righteous life. We will have a glow and a shine that isn’t found in a bottle , cream or in a perfect cut, but from God’s love pouring out of us. Trust me, I would rather shimmer from God than from any product purchased. I think it is more appealing anyway.
So ladies, break away from the vanity and find the freedom of learning to be content in your appearance. Not only will you save money and time, you will find a new satisfaction with yourself, especially if God is your beauty treatment.
Just remember:
Proverbs 31:30 ”Charm is deceptive, and beauty if fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Well
