Inner Beauty Series – Growing Beautiful With Age
My family and I went out for breakfast one morning together after our son’s graduation and before Grandparents left town. While enjoying my scrabbled eggs and toast, I couldn’t help but notice four “elderly” women sitting at a table nearby. I use that term VERY loosely as they were four beautiful, energetic, lovely women! I noticed they were all casually, comfortably, and tastefully dressed. They all had beautiful heads of hair – two – gorgeously white. They laughed, visited, and obviously enjoyed each other’s company as they sipped their coffee.
Life has been difficult for two of the most important women in my life and juxtaposed next to these vibrant women, my heart ached for the pain they bear. Their lives have been riddled with abuse, misunderstandings, tolerating cruelty – and more importantly – separation from a relationship with Jesus Christ. I’ve watched as they have often endured suffocating emptiness and loneliness and it truly breaks my heart. As a woman saved by God’s grace, I’ve tried to encourage and direct them to His mercy; regrettably, without much success. It’s all too easy to live in the past with painful memories, and allow Satan to circumvent the freedom we have in Christ’s shed blood. I know this – because I have done it over and over again.
In this world, there will always be sin, pain, and hardship, but I have learned that when I suffered abuse at the hands of evil men, my heavenly Father was the first to shed tears and that He keeps track of ALL my tears. “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalms 56:8). This brings a great deal of comfort to me; however, I realize, that concept may not make sense to many people. Bitterness and unforgiveness rob us of vitality. They rob us of enjoying our children and grandchildren. Bitterness keeps us entangled in events far removed from the opportunities of present joys. Unforgiveness keeps us bound to the ones who committed acts of violence, betrayal, and pain against us. In this journey of healing, for me, finding comfort in the sweetness of the Lord is the beginning to letting go of bitterness and unforgiveness. Have I arrived? No, not quite! But with my focus on Him, my vision is set on being a woman full of compassion, joy, humor, and contentment.
… and one day, with a head full of white hair, I hope and pray that my life will radiate the sweetness of Christ far more than painful childhood events.
This is my prayer for all my sisters in whatever season or whatever journey you are on. That with your feet firmly planted in His truth and promises, bitterness and unforgiveness will not rob you of the vitality of life He has for you on this earth.
Guest: Kit Hoeck khoeck@suddenlink.net
