There She is...

So we won? WOOoo WHOOooo! We made it. Miss Canada won the Miss Universe pageant. High fives all around! I guess she had what it takes, high cheek bones, a colgate smile, symetrical features, good breath...

Isn't it crazzy how we measure beauty? We parade women under a banner of lights, make them put on dresses and high heels and force them to plaster on a 'no matter what' smile. Then they put on the swim suits and oh, don't forget the talent show. It seems like a shallow way to measure beauty doesn't it?

Oh, it doesn't stop there, we also gauge what is called 'inner beauty?' How? By asking questions with obvious ansrews. Questions like, 'If you could change anything in the world, what would you change?" Then they would say obvious things like, "Oh, I'd rid with world of poverty or Aids or hunger..."

And we pretend to be moved and touched by their 'profound' answers. But really, what do you expect them to say? "Oh, I wish there was more homelessness and terrorism mixed with a couple of nuclear wars."

And these contestants, are they really that beautiful? We make them look flawless and perfect and even righteous. Do they have a carnal or sinful nature like you and me? Do they think, "Gosh, look at her hips, I'd kill to look like that?" or "Wow, watch that smile! I'd feel like punching her." or "If I could change anything in the world, I'd want the all people to envy my beauty!"

Well, the closest thing we have to a beauty pageant in the Bible is in the book of Esther. I couldn't tell if the Good book was condemning these pageants or not. Let me know if you find out. (But I must warn you that I don't think that was the point of the book).

One thing the Bible is clear on is defining what real beauty is. There are plenty of verses about what to look for in a wife. Let's look at a couple of verses, shall we?

Proverbs 19:13
a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Proverbs 27:15
A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day

Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 25:24
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Ouch! Poor Solomon... He had many wives and had to learn the HARD way! Well these verses tell us what's not beautiful about a woman and in this case a wife. I wish these beauty pageants were able to measure a woman's character! What is she like at home? No, really! Wouldn't it be great if we had these contestants in a reality show or something? You know, see them trying to maintain a household. Oh, but then this would be a Mrs Beauty Pageant. But I think this is crucial. How beautiful is a woman when the rubber hits the road? You know, when the pay cheque runs thin or when the toilet seat is up or down or which ever way it is? How do they work under pressure? Are they still as squiky clean and beautiful or contentious as poor Solomon experienced? Oh my, who knows...

But anyway, lets look at what a real beauty is. Check out these verses:

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

¹² She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

²⁹ "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

³¹ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Wooo Weee! Hubba Hubba! A Woo ga! We hit the jackpot ladies and gentlemen. This is it. This is truly a beautiful women! You see the qualities and the beauty! Yeeh HAA!

But you know what! You know what else is true beauty. True beauty is when we practice the virtues we desire for that special some one in our life! When we start with ourselves and decide, "Hey, I want to be that person who is caring and loving and sensitive and etc..." This is a great start! Isn't it? I've met many people who would write down 'the list' of what they want in their ideal mate! Instead we should look at that list and practice those qualities instead! What do you think?

Please comment below.