Beauty in a Bag

Written By: Yvonne Galindo

As I was surfing through Twitter I came across a promotion for a website called “Beauty in the Bag” how about “Passport to Beauty”; secrets from throughout the world that women use for looking and feeling beautiful. Both these sights are associated with beauty necessities for a woman. It seems these days you can find what you need to feel beautiful by surfing the internet and YouTube. I should know, I myself learned a few beauty tips from YouTube. A friend and I were discussing handbags, I indicated to her the title of my next Blog; she then commented by saying “A purse can be such a Burden”. Now let’s think about this ??? A burden can be the amount of cargo that a vessel can carry. It can be if you look at most common items found in a woman’s purse. They are makeup, keys, wallet, cell phone, breath mints, gum and items needed for personal hygiene.

 Most recently women began to carry items for self-defense; such as  a knife, pepper spray, Taser/stun gun, not to mention women purchase larger bags to make room for an iPad or a light weight laptops. A burden can also be something that is emotionally difficult to bear, or a source of great worry like stress.  If you’re feeling burdened by what you carry like maybe a heavy burden of guilt, shame, unworthiness, then ladies I suggest it’s time to do some purging. Honestly, I don’t carry much in by bag; maybe wallet, keys, sunglasses, reading glasses and phone.  That’s it! NO MAKE-UP in my purse, tooo messy.

 I began to think about the importance of beauty within and not so much what’s in the bag. You can’t see what’s in the bag, right!  So I ask myself, do I need what’s in my bag to feel beautiful? NO! The beauty lies not in the content of bag; but in the content of our character, your intent and your desires.  1 Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. I am not saying don’t wear make-up; of course not. I love the bling!  I am just saying don’t be affected by our culture today where people become shallow and our only focus is on the external.  This can be a dangerous to your soul. Let’s not forget what brought Satan down; Ezekiel 28:17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I found that no matter how plain a woman you are or what designer bag you carry, if truth and honesty are written across your face, you will be beautiful.

 If you recall in the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” Meryl Streep wore designer purses, clothes shoes and jewelry. She personified everything beautiful, yet was the epitome of rudeness.  She hid her unmet needs and unhealed hurts behind her designer lifestyle. I can relate so very well. I catch myself hiding at times even now, not wanting people to know what I am thinking or who I really am. I have come to realize I am getting in the way of me! I am a work in progress. Always growing, learning and finding new things in Christ. Realizing that people and things don’t define who I am.

 I can understand women today have so many expectations placed on them that it’s difficult for them to discern if they are successful in what they want or do in life.  Women are on overload most of time and it shows.  Don’t over think!  Everything in life is a process. Your load should, and can be light. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. A woman should carry herself however she feels comfortable and happy. It’s about Growing into Grace. God created you in His Image. Don’t get caught up in the world’s image or people’s opinions.  Allow God to purge you, and you shall be clean; let him cleanse you, and you shall be whiter than snow. I know He can- He’s done it for me.

For more from Yvonne Galindo please visit: http://www.godspearl.com/