Beauty
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30, NASU)
They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. That may be true, if the beholder has the character and discernment to know what is real beauty. You see, it goes far beyond skin deep. Real beauty resides in the deep affection of the soul to please the Creator. Then that which radiates from within is indeed a thing of beauty.
Growing up in the northeast land of Iowa, in the town of Cedar Falls, I had the privilege of going to a parochial school, named St. Patrick’s. The classes of about 18 kids each received our educational instruction from BVM nuns (Blessed Virgin Mary order) and “lay” teachers. Occasionally one of the priests would come during the week and conduct a class on the Roman Catholic Church theology.
Prior to daily classes, I would attend Mass around the 8:15 am hour. Desiring to please the Lord, as I knew at the time was a way to do thus, it was my intent to follow Him in His ways, and in the meantime cut a few years off of my time to be spent later in Purgatory (or so I was taught.) Being a young lad, attending the school from 2nd through 8th grades until I reached the age of 13, going to Mass during the week was not the norm for most kids, apart from Sunday. In fact, I can’t remember if any others in my grade did this. Besides that, there weren’t too many adults either that I recall making their presence known. I guess work and other occupations restricted the time it took, rather than time with God.
One thing I most remember about those morning hours, other than the bare heads of Father Mullen and Father Purcell, was this old, stooped-back lady who was always dressed in a long, black coat. Her head was also always covered with a black hood, but I knew she was not a nun. In fact, I knew very little about her, other than that she regularly was cleaning the church building. Quietly. Consistently. Without fanfare or to be an attention-getter. For the most part I thought she was kind of creepy, and weird. I never heard or saw her speak to anyone.
I can’t remember the exact day, but one Saturday morning I followed her as she walked down the street to her home, after the Mass had ended. I had an idea where she lived, but wasn’t sure. And yes, when she got to the house that I thought was hers, badly in need of paint and repair, she stopped and turned around. I was shocked!
For the first time I was able to see into her eyes. Though surrounded by wrinkles and gray hair that needed some combing, she had the most tender eyes. She smiled, didn’t really say anything, turned back around and went into the house.
I never knew what her name was, but the impression she left on me over those years, as often I watched her in her work, clearly had an impact in my life. A true servant of the Lord, and one whose beauty was truly one to behold.
The Lord has many that aren’t widely known among the populous nor being counted with the famous. They are carefully hidden, daily doing that which is their calling, performing the works which the Lord has given them to do. But when they reach their time of glory, the beauty within will shine along with the One who created them, as they behold the most beautiful One of all.
What a glorious and magnificent day that will be.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve
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Now Think On This - In the Year of our Lord 03.11.17 - #277 – “Beauty” – Saturday 4.30 pm
All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve
