Authentic feminity...

Don't care about worldly applause.
Don't want beauty propped up by artificial means.

I want to shine with womanly grace and princess-like dignity. With the joy that bubbles out from the light from deep within. To exude that kind of spectacular radiance of a woman transformed by the Author of all things lovely and pure.

Such feminity isn't stodgy, prim and proper...with drab, unflattering clothes and sandals... It is not shunning the opposite sex or being some legalistic social outcast. But it is a sparkling, vibrant woman with love and grace overflowing from her heart... one who is strong, faithful and wise. Confident and appealing, yet not pressured to conform to the world's standards of what beautiful is.

Such feminity isn't found in the pages of beauty/fashion magazines. I personally do not envy the models who fulfill the world's standards of feminine perfection. Perfect, airbrushed proportions and figures. Flawless skin. Excellent sex appeal. Etcetera. I am not against eating healthy, proper skin-care, keeping fit, dressing-up nicely, and putting on make-up if you want. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Your body is God's temple - take good care of it! I'm just saying that external beauty isn't my main priority in embracing my feminity.

(Golly, I'm even starting to appreciate my long torso... even though I never did before.)

I may not be the prettiest being around. But it doesn't faze me. What matters more than what's on the inside? I am already grateful and filled with joy that there is love in my heart which comes from knowing that God loves me, the peace of knowing God's designed me for His divine purposes, and that I am set apart. I do not feel the ache of having no worldly applause - because the Lord has handpicked the most wonderful people and placed them in my life - those who love and accept me the way I am, lift me up in prayer and walk with me through thick and thin. That itself is beautiful to me.

Why labour for the hollow beauty that fades with age?

I love what God says in 1 Peter 3:3-5 - 'Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful...'

God, I want a gentle and quiet spirit. Let me be like the Proverbs 31 woman:

Verse 10-31:

"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."