Honesty.
It’s a good policy! But have you ever wanted to polish the truth? You know, not change the truth but, perhaps, make it a little more appealing by adding a touch here or there to make it more palatable? True honesty can be a toughie. Of course, if it isn’t true honesty…it isn’t honest, is it?
Case in point: My hair is curly – super curly – think: out-of-control curly. And when I go to sleep for the night with wet hair, it adds an extra layer to the out-of-control element. The other morning even I was surprised by it! Looking in the mirror, I thought to myself, “Wow! I’m so glad that only my family can see me right now.” I sensed the Holy Spirit quickly chime in.
“Why are you embarrassed by your curly hair?”
“Well, it is just so. You know. WOW! It is so much better once I take my straightener to it, Lord.”
“Hmmm.”
I didn’t think much more about it until the following night. After washing my hair, it air dried quickly – in true curly fashion. And a short time later, I found myself talking with medical professionals during a late-night ER visit. Taking with them in true curly fashion. It wasn’t until the situation had settled that I realized what I must look like to these strangers! And once again, I found myself challenged by the Holy Spirit to acknowledge what I didn’t want exposed: my curly-hair truth.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:14
~Somewhere along the line, I had become embarrassed by a gift the Lord had given to me.
~I thought that adding a little touch up would make it more palatable.
~The Lord gave me opportunity to be truly honest. (And, by the way, everyone is fine!)
Is there anything wrong with straightening my hair; am I lying about it? Not at all! Is there anything wrong with my hair in all its curly wonder? Again, not at all! While this might all sound like vanity, the Lord used this experience to remind me that I can stand as a confident and fully loved daughter of the Most High regardless of what I see in myself. There is nothing I can do to make him love me more, and there is nothing I can do to make him love me less. The Lord sees me as his beloved daughter; one he created specifically for his joy. Wild curls and all!
When was the last time that you remembered you are created for the joy of your Creator? You are designed to bring him glory exactly as you are. He has given you freedom to be creative but there is nothing you can do to improve on his creation of you. Each little idiosyncrasy, each quirk, each unique quality is placed by him as a whispered reminder that…
You are adored.
You Are Adored 