Seeing Instead of Seeking Beauty

BEAUTY--we all know it, we have all seen it, and we all wish to be it. Have you ever yearned to be beautiful because you felt straight up unattractive? I know I have and I am sure most of you have too. It is our human nature to wish that we were more beautiful than we already are. Once we see someone who we think looks gorgeous with the perfect hair, makeup, and body we immediately undermine our own looks. We begin to feel lesser. We begin to feel broken. 

Our brokenness begins the moment we begin to seek beauty instead of seeing beauty. We are constantly trying to be seen by beauty instead of actually seeing the beauty all around us. Because we live in this way we miss out on seeing the true beauty all around us. Once we stop focusing on being seen by beauty and we start seeing beauty that is when we will feel the happiest and ultimately the most beautiful. Once we begin seeing beauty instead of trying to be seen by beauty we will be able to see the most beautiful things in life. When you see beauty and you make it your goal to embody what beauty is you will begin to be recognized as beautiful. Once we start living a life of seeing instead of seeking beauty we are able to be truly beautiful. When we see beauty we are overflowed with joy and gladness, which causes our inner beauty to shine forth. Ultimately, when we are seeking beauty instead of actually seeing beauty we miss out on the most beautiful things in life. 

Camille Pissarro once said, "Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing." I can honestly say that I can be placed under the category of "the people who see nothing." These people are the people who are too focused on being seen by beauty that they miss out on actually seeing beauty. As I have grown older I have slowly moved over into the category of people "who see beautiful things in humble places" because I have begun to realize where my true beauty is found. My true beauty is not found in my outward appearance. My true beauty is found within. 

Beauty is not something that you can "put on" because your beauty is already inside of you. The makeup you put on your face and the outfit you put on your body are not what make you beautiful. Your heart is what makes you beautiful. You can look in the mirror all you want and tell yourself that you are not beautiful and that you are not enough, but you are not focusing on what really makes you beautiful. Your heart and your inner beauty are what make you beautiful, and God is who made you beautiful. I recently read this little passage, and the truth of it left me speechless: 

"The other day I looked in the mirror 

And I didn't feel very pretty, 

So I said, 

'God, I need a reminder, What do you see 

When you look at me?'

So He said, 

'You are my beloved, 

My perfect creation, 

Beautiful.' 

So I said, 

'Yeah, but what do others see 

When they look at me?' 

So He said, 

'They see Me.' 

And I suddenly felt beautiful."

You see, our outer beauty is not worth near as much as our inner beauty. We can spend our whole lives trying to be seen by beauty instead of seeing the true beauty when really it does not matter. What really matters is our inner beauty, the part of us that makes us most beautiful. God tells us over and over again that we are His masterpieces, His treasures, and His most fond possessions. We are His children whom He created in His image and likeness. What could make us more beautiful than the fact that we are children of God? He is our Father and He finds us to be far more beautiful than anything else. Never let the opinions of others undermine your true beauty. Do not seek beauty through others, but instead see the true beauty around you and within you. Once you see your true inner beauty you will feel far more beautiful than you ever have before.

Have a lovely week and stay faithful, friends! 

Remember you are beautiful! Do not let anyone ever tell you different!

Lots of love, 

Gracie