Keeping up Appearances
After a serious back injury several years ago, I had a few pounds to lose after being laid-up for an extended period of time. One of our now-grown sons remarked that it wasn’t necessary for me to worry about my appearance any longer because I was already married. Incredulously, I replied, “Really? Is that the attitude you want your future wife to have?” He immediately realized that he’d made his statement without giving the matter much thought. He agreed that he would rather his future wife respect him enough to try to maintain her appearance as best she can.
Remember when you were courting your beloved? You wouldn’t have dreamed of calling on her without first taking a shower and, perhaps, adding a splash of cologne. Remember when your intended arrived at your door? You were meticulously groomed and polished, and the sweet scent of your perfume lingered in his memory long after the evening ended.
How many of us ~ myself included ~ have occasionally fallen into a lackadaisical pattern of self-neglect? While we don’t want to cross the line and venture off into overemphasizing outward appearance, it is important to take care of ourselves, inside and out.
Weight a Minute
If we are to be of any earthly use for the Lord’s service, we certainly need to be reasonably healthy. Before you chastise yourself for the demise of your 25-year-old body, try to be realistic. A woman shouldn’t expect to have the same slender figure she had before childbirth and menopause, nor should a man expect to sport the same svelte physique he proudly strutted in high school. It’s normal for most of us to “fill-out” a bit as we age, but allowing our health-habits to deteriorate to the point of obesity or ill-health is another issue altogether. While I would never suggest self-starvation, I would suggest self-control. Eating an entire dozen doughnuts in one sitting is simply not conducive to maintaining a healthy body or body weight. One doughnut should suffice!
Bathing Beauty
Personal hygiene is equally important to our health as well as to the health of those around us. Daily bathing is essential for removing the hitchhiker germs we pick-up over the course of the day. It is also necessary to control body odor, which can be very offensive to others. There are times when daily bathing may not be possible, as in the case of a serious, extended illness, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Brushing your teeth is another essential to good health and hygiene. It helps prohibit the spread of illness, prevents those with whom you converse to enforce a 4-foot safety radius, and encourages the sharing of pleasant kisses between husband and wife!
A Little Dab ‘ll Do Ya!
While make-up is optional, most any old barn looks better with a little fresh paint. Not every woman chooses to wear make-up, and that’s perfectly fine. Shoot, not every woman needs to wear make-up, doggone it! This old barn, however, definitely looks better with a bit of fresh paint {make-up}. A little goes a long way. It isn’t necessary to wear a heavy coat of stage make-up like today’s female news anchors. Perhaps a little mascara and a light dab of lipstick is all you need to perk up your face.
Hairy Situation
I personally have never been a fan of the bed-head look that has become popular over the past several years. Maybe I’m just old-school, but hair that is at least combed looks much more attractive than hair that has that just-rolled-out-of-bed-after-a-restless-night look. You don’t have to spend an hour every day teasing your tresses. A hairbrush can do wonders all by itself.
Attire Optional
Have you ever seen the People of Walmart photos? Would you like to be included in the next online People of Walmart edition? Then for Pete’s sake, don’t go there in your pajamas. Dressing in neat, clean clothes doesn’t take all that much effort. We’re no
longer bound by the unspoken rules of the 1950’s requiring that heels and pearls, or shirts and ties, be worn in all public places, but this shouldn’t give us permission to venture out in public wearing week-old sweats or scanty beach attire. Dressing decently is
not only a reflection of your character – or lack thereof – it is a matter of showing respect for others.
Playing Dress-Up
If you’re anything at all like yours truly, your daily attire consists of jeans and t-shirts. Basically, the only time I actually put on a dress is for a wedding or a funeral. I’m no June Cleaver! I can’t say I typically dress-up for an evening out at a local restaurant, but I will at least wear nice jeans and a pretty top! I’ll even add some eye make-up and jewelry. This is a nice treat for my husband who is used to seeing me looking farmgirl-frumpy most of the time.
Say “Cheese”!
Smile! Little can do more for your appearance than a smile. Smiles, like frowns, are contagious. Spread sunshine, not shadows. Offer a smile to others, especially to your spouse. This world is so heavy and oppressive. We do battle on a daily basis. A happy expression and a sweet smile can do wonders to encourage one who is downtrodden!
Keeping up your appearance is an important aspect of showing respect to others, especially to your spouse. It expresses to your husband that you still wish to be pleasing to him. It tells your wife that she is still the one who makes your heart skip a beat. Furthermore, it speaks volumes to a self-centered, lazy culture about the importance of treating others with Christ-like consideration, and reveals to observers the regard you hold for your beloved. After all, outward appearances often reflect inward character.
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“Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You don’t belong to yourselves, because you were bought for a price. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies.”
~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20