The New You

The New You!

By Vickie G. Paver

Today, more than ever, it seems we have a fix for every human imperfection. If all you ladies ever get any women's magazines at all, you know it is true. It's enough to give anyone a complex. Think about this. If you need a face stretch (sorry), a tummy tuck, a tushie raise, breast implant or implanted calves---you can get it for a price. A pretty high price, to be sure! And, yes, I did say implanted calves. I watched a television program last week where a body builder (a guy I might add) got calves implanted. Now he thinks he has the perfect body. Wait until he starts getting older! If you can't afford all of those “improvements”, look at some of the over-the-counter products we have, like wrinkle cream, teeth whitener, built in bust lifters in bras, bottom pads for the firmer look, girdles to hide the bulges, support hose to hide the varicose veins, and that's not all! We have hair dye for gray hair, hairpieces for the thicker hair look, wigs for falling out hair. We have herbs, creams, mud baths and more!!!

Once we get the outside all fixed up, then we go the heart matters. We have self-help books on, “How to Have More Confidence," "How to Say ‘Yes’ to Happiness," “How to Drive Your Man---or Woman Wild," and "How to Become Rich." I think you’re getting the picture. As humans, we try to be perfect inside and out. The problem is - we can't!!!

Even if we are born absolutely drop dead beautiful, have no physical ailments, are highly intelligent and highly talented----we still get old and die! In fact, from the moment we are born we start to die. No amount of maintenance work done on the body is lasting!

Don't get me wrong, I feel we should take care of our bodies by eating properly, drinking lots of good water, and practice good hygiene. Of course, if you want to wear a wig or dye your hair, I don't have a problem with that, either! It is just the extreme that folks go to---to "look great" "smell great" and "feel great," that I have a problem with.

I've often thought that any average person has a hard time coping with this kind of brain washing. So, how in the world do those who suffer some real and awful physical imperfections or mental deficiencies cope? Are we some type of reject because of our inadequacies or our imperfections? I think not! I know it may sound redundant to say this, but God doesn't make junk! He created each one of us. Creating us individually, with differing intelligence, differing physical features with or without imperfections. He created us for a purpose, just the way we are.

Sometimes it seems like some people are blessed with gentle spring breezes all their life and yet others face harsh March winds. Truthfully, though, it isn't good to concentrate on the appearance of youthfulness and beauty, riches and fame. It isn't lasting. The real "heart matters," such as our relationship with Jesus Christ is what matters. We need to care what He thinks of us. He cares about what is in our heart. He also cares about our bodies and suffering, but it isn't nearly as important as our hearts being changed and being perfected to the image of Jesus Christ. The chorus of the song "Oh, to Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, goes like this; "Oh, to be like Thee, Oh, to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art! Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart."

So, today, if you feel bad because of some physical or mental imperfection, or even worse, perhaps you are suffering from some horrible disease or live in constant pain, try to remember that God cares. He doesn't look at the outside and He knows all the reasons why things are the way they are. I'm not making light of suffering or physical defect, but just saying that when we get in a frenzy about being perfect, we need to trust the creator and not what man has to say about beauty and perfection.

vpaver@paversnest.com

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