Let Us Do Good ~ Making Face Masks

I've mentioned that I'm training myself to be more aware of God's graces flowing through the present moment. This present moment being the Covid-19 pandemic that we find ourselves in. I've also been wondering how I might be an agent of God's grace to others during this challenging time. 

I've been reminded that God tells us through the Apostle Paul, "So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10). What good could I do for those in my own local body of faith while we're apart and not able to gather together? Our leaders have reminded us to keep in touch with one another, to call, to text or email, to pray for one another, to join in virtual gatherings during the week. 

As I was making face masks for My Beloved and other family members, the thought occurred to me that I could make some for those in our church family who don't sew and otherwise would have to purchase them from places like Etsy. I have stacks and stacks of cotton fabric, so I've made several and will make more as long as I have elastic or similar substitute. Presently I've run out of elastic. Elastic is a hot item right now from everyplace online that I've checked, so it's back ordered. Thanks to a friend's donation in the meantime, I've found that girls' hair elastics are working rather well. 

Days filled with doing good for others are, indeed, good days. Busy hands are fruitful hands. 

She works with her hands in delight.  

Proverbs 31:13

That Better Way

I was reminded today that beauty fades. Not that I have or had any (I got the role of the witch in the elementary school play), but my hair is a battleground these days. Went to the hairdresser today, hoping for a new do, but I think it's time to just accept things as they are. As my 86-year-old mother says, "I've never been this old before." Still figuring it out.

I commented to my hairdresser and another gal there that in my younger years I had looked forward to being 50. I thought 50 was where it was at. The upper 20s gal said she thinks the same thing about 30. Personally, my 40s were the best. Had our girls still at home, lots of life going on all around us. Some of you know what I mean.

But 50 is many years behind me now, and it wasn't what I expected it to be. Hadn't taken into account the fading and aches and pains part. But as I sat there at the beauty shop (really? shopping for beauty?) I began to think about there being so much more to true living than what we look like. One of the most beautiful women I know is also the ugliest one physically that I know. She's truly beautiful in character and personality and in living life, though, and so much more. She's a joy to be around. Many of the beautiful women I know, though, are inwardly ugly and will become even uglier as time passes and they lament their loss. Only inner beauty can get better and better, even though the outer is fading fast. I wish they'd realize that. They could be so much more content and joyful.

There's so much more to enjoying life than having beauty. It's nice to feel good about how we look, but it's even nicer to feel good about who we're becoming. I'd rather be heading into that better way.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Painting ~ Woman Combing Her Hair, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1828-1882

Of Ten Percent Importance

I got my hair trimmed today. I'd like to have a different style, but given the hair that I have, this is the best we can do. Sometimes I wish I were a hat kind of person. Would make things a lot simpler.

I'm glad my husband has never wanted a trophy wife, although I do think it’s important to look as pleasant as I can, and I know he appreciates that. I recall a friend sadly telling me when she turned 40 that her husband teased her about trading her in for two 20s. That's not at all funny. I'm thankful for a husband who looks beyond the temporal.
 
Of the 22 verses on the Proverbs 31 woman, a possible two have to do with how she looks. That's not quite 10% of what's important in her life. It's not to be discounted, but neither is it to be a major issue. Now that's a good thing because it would be such a lost battle for me to try and keep my looks from its inevitable aging. A woman could spend thousands (not me, unless I trade in the house, and I don't think My Beloved would go for that) to nip and tuck, augment, plasticize, tighten up and color up, but only the spirit can truly become more beautiful with time and attention given to it. I know some women who are very beautiful, not particularly physically, but beautiful in spirit. As a matter of fact, the ugliest woman I know has a lovely spirit.

As I get ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb, only my spirit will be going, and I want to be a radiant bride.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. Revelation 19:7

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Painting ~ Printemps, Albert Lynch 1851-1860 

via WikiCommons public domain