Concealer, please!

The cosmetic home party was in full swing. Casual conversation circled the kitchen table as four ladies inspected newly cleaned faces in little white framed mirrors.

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Are the kids ready for Spring Break?

(Hmm. I am seeing some crinkly wrinkles starting to show around my eyes.)

Yes, they absolutely can't wait! How is it going with the new puppy?

(And a few worry lines in the forehead, though there is nothing to be worried about at the moment.)

Pretty good...she is healthier now that I make her own special food each morning. So are you still leading the discipleship program ?

Pause.

(Is that...oh, good heavens it is... another disgusting blemish on my chin?!)

Well, actually, it has been a really tough year. I am just now getting to the point where I can sometimes pray.

(Quick! Some one pass the concealer, please.)

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Honestly, it took everything within me to lift my eyes to her face, engage with what she had just said, and acknowledge her pain with an inadequite but very heartfelt, "I am so sorry. I am so glad it is getting better."

After all, we are Christians. We aren't allowed to have these nasty kind of blemishes. Right?!

The irony is that Christ can actually use our blemishes to point us and others back to Him! Like my friend that morning. She could have just dismissed the question with a casual "no" and allowed conversation to move on to the mini-quiches. But she chose not to. She was bluntly honest without inviting a pity-party on her behalf. And the interesting result was that our focus turned to look at God's faithfulness for a few moments instead of focusing on our fleshly bodies that will age and wrinkle regardless of the products we slather on it.

"For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord." Psalm 117:2

Note to self: Forget the concealer. It just keeps my focus on myself and my imperfections. Instead, be real and offer praise to the Lord for His perfections!