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.

In Him I Trust

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12: 2, NIV)

Valentine’s Day just passed not too long ago. Then there’s Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Teacher’s Day, Children’s Day and the list goes on. I wonder how many women realized there’s also Women’s Day. Yes. A day dedicated to women all over the world. It all traced back to 1910, a German socialist leader, Clara Zetkin declared a day of solitary to mark the fight of women for equal rights. Each year on 8 March since being recognized by the United Nations in 1975, International Women’s Day has been celebrated globally. Some countries marked it as a national holiday.

I stood together with my daughters in the concourse of a mall watching a contemporary dance depicting the life of women. It was a powerful piece as the dancers brought forth the joy and pain of women’s lives. There were a few young men behind me trying to understand the creative moves and made a joke of it. However, when the show ended, they exclaimed, “Power, man!” Hmm, the womenfolk would probably say, “Don’t play, play!”

Throughout the generations women’s needs of respect and dignity have been challenged. Women suffer from different dangers. Wars, discrimination, sexual harassment, rape, abuse, pregnancy and childbirth complications and etc.
Feminist cry out for equal rights.
Modern women strive for significance and success. Thus, believe in a false sense of security; clinging on to career, beauty and fashion, and searching for the right relationship. But have we won?

The world will never be fair if we see from the worldview and adopt her mindset. Tune in to the heavenly frequency and hear God’s whispers of love and affirmation to us. He has a special design and purpose for women.
Eve was declared the ‘mother of all living’.
Sarah had a lovely surprise. She mothered at an impossible age.
Esther saved her people.
Deborah the lady judge conquered the battle.
The servant girl ministered to Naaman.
Ruth’s name is in the genealogy of the Saviour.
Mary was chosen to mother the Saviour.
Mary of Bethany ministered to Jesus.
Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the resurrection of the Lord.
There are many more women in the Bible who has a significant role in God’s plan.

While the world fights for equal rights, know that our trust is in Him. We stand secured in His everlasting love because He is our salvation, our strength and our song. We celebrate the beauty of our girlhood and womanhood (single or married; young or old) in our God. The repetition of calling upon “the Lord” in Isaiah 12:2 reinforces God is our everything. We are saved and strengthened. He is our song – a song represents joy, comfort, peace, quiet confidence within and victory. Let us find our footing in Him and abandon ourselves in His secure arms of love. Embrace our womanhood with grace and destiny in God.

Loving Father, Thank You for your beautiful work in me. You fashioned me so uniquely and designed me for a specific purpose. Unfold each season of my life with Your grace and empower me to enjoy every season of my womanhood. I want to be a beautiful woman who reflects the radiance and beauty of my Maker. In Jesus’ name. Amen.