This evening at the hair salon I took notice of the mirrors at each work station. In front of each person was a large mirror and it was interesting to observe that all the conversations between the stylists and their clients took place not face-to-face but rather face-to-mirror-to-face. I also noticed that very few women actually looked at themselves I mean deeply looked at themselves in the mirror. It was as though they were afraid to see the woman looking right back at them.
Many years ago when I was going through a period of low self-esteem, a friend and pastor dragged me in front of a full length mirror and asked me to look hard into the mirror and find one thing that I liked about myself. I tried so hard but I could not do it; I couldnt say the words I like my . I recoiled from the mirror but my friend pulled me back. He was not going to let me off that easily. Since I couldnt find one positive thing to say, he took the liberty to list them off my eyes, my smile, my hands he went through every body part then he had me repeat after him, one word at a time: I am beautiful. After I said those words, I wept and fell into his arms where he held me and prayed with me.
But the hair salon this evening was also a place of transformation, of new life. After the women had their hair colored, cut, or styled, they all looked carefully into the mirror and smiled. If only for a few moments, they felt special and full of self-worth. It was beautiful to see how for that brief moment, they knew that they were beautiful.
There was a little girl no older than 6 years old and she got her long hair cut. It was so precious to see her dance and squeal in delight with her new look. She knew she was pretty and when we told her how incredible she looked, she broke out into the biggest smile that a little girl could ever have. Thats when I realized that we are beautiful women of God and we too should dance and squeal in delight as God keeps whispering to us You are so beautiful and I love you.
Valerie
“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.” (1 Peter 3:3-4)