Everyday we leave our homes for work, step out into the world and know we are expected to look a certain way. We know what the outside world expects of us. They want to see a freshly showered, freshly made up and freshly styled person ready to take on the day. I guess we set the level early in our adult lives as to what is expected of us, you know “looks” wise. The world sees the outside. Yes, some people take time to see the inside, but we know many just see us on a surface level. Even the Scripture speaks about how humans see one another. I Samuel 16:7 says, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (English Standard Version).
I think in many ways this is one of the reasons I love keeping Laney and Karlee two days a week. Most of the time we never leave the house, except to venture out to see my neighbors or take a walk around the yard. Me and “my babies” play, laugh, eat and have the best time and no attention whatsoever is paid to my wild,uncombed hair, my lack of makeup, and the fact I probably did not get a shower before they arrived. They simply see me for who I am to them and that is their caregiver. For a while each week, I get to “get bellies”, kiss baby necks, and cuddle and snuggle with two of the cuddliest little sweeties I know. They are pure and innocent. Loved and cared for by some of the best people I know (their awesome parents). They are true gifts from God. Psalms 127:3 says, “Children are an inheritance from the LORD. They are a reward from Him. (God’s Word Translation).
So, I think we can learn from these tiny humans. In a world so hung up on the outward, I think we can learn a lot. Most days I roll out of bed and start the coffee right before Karlee arrives. I am a bead head, crumpled mess. This doesn’t stop Karlee from giving me the biggest grin the minute she sees me. It doesn’t stop Laney from coming in and getting excited to see me and her baby cousin. They are looking at the person that holds them tight and keeps them fed. They can see through the messy hair and frumpy lounge clothes. They see straight to the heart.
In our world right now we have so many hurting. They are out of jobs. Scared for the future. And in a few weeks when no one has had a haircut or hair color for over a month, we are going to need to ignore what we the outside shows. I was just telling my daughter, Morgan, I bet in a few weeks the government will change their minds about who are essential employees. Lol!!!
The truth is we could all show a little more grace and I know we could all use a little more grace. Most people answer “I’m fine” when you ask them how they are doing and most people are not doing “fine”. Everyone you see is fighting a battle inside. We all want to look better, be thinner, have the best hair, and do our makeup just right. But we all know, we cannot all be the prettiest, the smartest, the thinnest, the most put together. Some days we may wish we had stayed in bed, and we are struggling to hold it all together. That’s why I love knowing I can go to the One who keeps the whole world in His hands. He sees straight to our hearts. He knows when we are having a great day and when we are having a hard day. No matter what day we are having, we can call His name and He will come running to our rescue. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (NASB).
So what can we do during this time of uncertainty? Let’s take a lesson from a couple of babies and look at the inside!
Digging Deeper 