When I look in the mirror these days, I am reminded of the approaching birthday and the extra softness of middle-age. The silver strands in my hair need coloring and the laugh lines are getting deeper.
Yet when I choose to tend my thoughts by the Word, I find an all together different approach. When I consider the Designer’s intention and fingerprints when He knit me together and the history with Him these decades testify to then I begin to see myself in a new light.
After the pounds of a pandemic and the hormones of middle age whisper my worth, I am choosing to tend my thoughts by the truth of the Designer who made me with purpose. Three truths of this designer label come to mind.
- I am to praise God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are His works, according to Psalm 139:14. You and I are designed exactly as we should be, seeming flaws and all. We are created in wonder by the One who made the detailed seashells and the majestic mountains.
- God’s dwelling place is lovely is what Psalm 84:1 tells us. And we see that the Designer lives within those of us who have surrendered to Him, according to 1 Corinthians 3:16. So if I am His temple and Scripture says the temple of God is lovely, then the truth is, I am lovely. Crows-feet and all.
- Finally, I am to remind myself of the truth that my King, my Designer, is enthralled with my beauty according to the Psalmist (Psalm 45:11 NIV). The One who made me is taken by what He has made. He purposed your eye color, your hair texture, your body shape.
We are to take care of and steward well what He has given us, but we are not to hate His design. How much more confident would I feel if I tended my thoughts by my Designer’s truth than by the lies of my mind and the culture?
Thankfully God’s Word speaks to everything that matters and you, dear reader, matter. You are intentionally created in the image of God, with worth, value and beauty. He makes no mistakes. Let’s tend our mind by that truth and praise our Designer today!
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Well said! The Creator has created each of his image bearers with remarkable similarity but each one unique for God’s good purposes and for his glory. Thanks for writing!
yes, amen! thank you for stopping by!
An articulate, well put together, excellent post. xo
thank you, Susan!
This is the time of life to grow comfortable in our own skin. I stopped dying my hair–those silver streaks signal wisdom (and grey hair is the new hip thing for youngsters–so, if you have natural sparkle, let it shine). At this stage in life, I have more time to take care of myself with intention and purpose. I’m learning to tend myself–something I set aside during motherhood and caregiving. I love how you put it, “God is enthralled with my beauty.” I’ve never thought of this before.
you are certainly a beauty, sweet Anita! And you’re right that silver tinsel is a sign of well gained wisdom! Love that! 🙂
Beautiful! I can relate in these middle-age years.
thank you, friend, grateful it blessed you.
Mariel … I’ve got a few decades more than you do, but your words have spoken tenderly to my heart this afternoon. In fact, I’m going back to re-read them again.
You’ve shared God’s lovingkindness to us. I am grateful …
praise God for His timeless truth and unending love for His beautiful daughters 🙂
We do each have a designer label; we are one of a kind. Never thought of myself with a designer label before. When we focus on God’s plan for us, his delight in us, it gives us a whole new mindset.
Amen! And we are made by the best Designer with more value than the best pair of Prada heels!😉
Oh, how I love this! At 73 years of age, those worldly ways are not the Designer’s ways. I so needed to read this today. Most of the time, I am very aware and do not buy into how others view me…not anymore anyway. But now and then, I forget Whose I am. Thank you.
Yes, God’s ways and thoughts are eternal and it is so good to remind our hearts of that truth. Grateful this blessed you, Linda.
Amen Merial, so beautifully spoken. Such a blessed post. Blessings.
Visiting from FMF#5
Great reminders.
Mariel, I love this twist on the “designer label”! I’m going to be thinking of myself from that way now 🙂 Thank you! x
❤
When I look into the mirror,
God looks back into my eye,
and He says it, ever clearer,
that the tough will never die.
Although coughing brings the bleeding
and I’m feeling none too great,
’tis more pushups I am needing,
and hard time upon the weights,
for quiet rest is not the answer,
and I find working out is prayer,
the kind of prayer that’s good for cancer,
the kind that helps the heart prepare
for what tomorrow may arrive,
however hard – I will survive!
Good stewardship is am important part of respecting all that God has made for us!
Amen!❤
The Truth of Scripture—Glory! The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…is longsuffering toward us…not willing any should perish…2Peter 3:9
Amen!! Beautiful promise!