The Beauty of Wrinkles

Yet you, LORD, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.

(Isaiah 64:8, NIV)


Our van stopped at a junction and an advertisement on the billboard caught my eye. It publicized a beautiful girl with flawless complexion holding on to a peeled mask of her older face – one which is wrinkled and drained by the years. An attractive discount offered for a makeover boldly printed at the bottom. What is new? The lure of the commercial world of our era is ever seeking to be more convincing.

My husband instantly commented, “The older face looks so much better. It is carved by character.” I looked again at the billboard and thought that’s pretty profound in the words of my wise husband. The older face looked more real, down to earth, though a bit wrinkled but possessed the grace of aging. That’s a certain kind of beauty which is unexplainable. It has earned its glory through the hard years of life. The younger face displayed was so flawless that it makes it so fake.

A bookmark given by a friend many years ago tucked in my bible read:

Today I saw a lovely thing…

A tree,

Sculptured and turned,

Weathered by the winds

And storms of the years.

I thought of you…

How time and hardships

Can work grace and beauty,

When lovingly fashioned

By the MASTER’S HAND

I know you are precious in HIS sight…

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

by Glenna Oldham

We do not have to fall into the trap of the unruly commercials. Our beauty and worth are determined not by the cosmetics and outer adornment. It is the Lord’s beauty filling our life as we spend time with him regularly and allowing him to gently mould and fashion us according to his purposes. Because we are his, we are called “precious and honored in his sight” (Isaiah 43:4). This is the key text of GEMS which I hold strongly too as God spoke to me many years ago that how many women are destroyed simply not knowing this truth. As daughters of the King, we must recognize our precious worth in and to him.

As we age (which is inevitable), know that the glory and beauty of the years are characterized in our face. When you look into the mirror and find facial lines as the pages of your life chapter turns, know that the Potter shapes us into his masterpieces – every piece intend to depict his character if only we allow him.

Precious Gems, we don’t stay young forever. Whether you are 10, 20 or 30 now, the number will continue to increase and we cannot live in denial. We must glow with his radiance whatever age we are. Our character is carved. To the beautiful girls of God, we all say - Amen!

Father, as I look into your eyes, I see such beauty. Fill me with your beauty anew daily. Let me be your confident girl in every season. Let those who look at me see your beauty and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Curls Or Straight?

3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, 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.

(1 Peter 3:3-4, NIV)

In the 80s there was a song popularized by Cindi Lauper, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. As a teenager, I enjoyed the upbeat song to a certain extent though I wasn’t a big fan of the singer. There is some truth in the title. We all want to have fun irrespective of our age. Perhaps just different ways.

Working with youth over the last decade was a great opportunity and tremendous blessing in staying young – at least in the heart. Girls and young ladies talk with great excitement on the latest fashion, hairdo and whatever seems trendy. It is a built-in instinct. Females desire to look nice and pretty. Talk to the most plain girl and you’ll discover deep down the heart she will like to be beautiful too.

Surrounded by three girls at home is sure fun. Never a dull moment for me! From a little toddler and especially when they were preschoolers in their exploration stage, dress-up was a major play. A trunk of mummy’s old clothes and accessories guaranteed hours of fun. Have you watched little girls drowned in the humongous adult’s clothes and clip-clopping on mummy’s big heels, clutched with a huge handbag? A typical sight, right?

My girls have graduated from dress-up play. They share my wardrobe now (except the youngest). As for the hair, they love the curls. They will twist the hair into a bun and let down the big waves after many hours. Recently, I discovered the ancient way of curling girls’ hair – the chemical free method and kind to the pocket too. No wonder the girls all had curled hair in the 1800s. We plotted our hairdo date – mum and daughters’ fun night. As you would have guessed, mum was the hairdresser and my three clients were excited to have their turn. I was a bit anxious of the outcome, just in case I disappoint them. To our great satisfaction, we had beautiful curls and they looked fabulous with the new hairdo. They almost couldn’t believe their eyes as they looked into the mirrors, and instantly giggled and laughed with sheer delight. Since we were attending a drama in a church, they went with this incredible new look. They definitely made heads turned and we could hear the oohs and aahs and wahs. “Did you just get it permed?” Permed? They proudly announced that mummy curled it the ancient way – much to their disbelief.

The curls lasted longer than we thought and the girls were immensely satisfied. Did they feel beautiful? I am sure they do! Oh, what is it about these curls? Some of you may think. Straightened hair is pretty and neat. Arrh…some may argue short haircut is cool and easy. Bangs, or no bangs. Crimp, big waves, small waves and the list goes on as the trends change all the time. Yes, there is a place for fashion. I love fashion. It is art to me. Creativity is at play. There is a lot of fun in playing with colours and shapes. However, there is a limit to keep up with trends.

The Word of God encourages us that true beauty must shines from inside out. As the daughters of the King, we must clothe ourselves with an unfading beauty – a gentle and quiet spirit which supersedes the outward appearance. Too often we spend more time and money dressing up outwardly and neglect our inner beauty. Step into the chamber of God and capture his beauty and behold his holiness (Psalm 27:4). When you spend quality and quantity time with the Beautiful Lord, you will inherit his beauty which cannot be bought over the cosmetic counters, nor be transformed in the hair saloons, neither is it contained in the perfume bottles nor coloured by pedicures and manicures. You won’t find it in the best boutiques or latest cut. The beauty kit is in Him, the Lover of our Soul. Come and find out what he has in store for you as you sit with him daily.

As he makes us beautiful inside, it must always shines out. The inner beauty is not meant to be kept in the secret. I believe every beautiful girl and woman of God will display him as we carry his radiance and countenance. A good gift needs a great packaging too to be completely beautiful. So do take time to groom yourself and be presentable as the King’s daughter.

Dear Father, I desire to be beautiful from the inside out. Cause your face to shine upon me and let your beauty be displayed outwardly. Help me to be wise as I seek to take care of my outward appearance and be presentable as the King’s daughter. Thank you for making me beautiful. In Jesus’ name. Amen.