1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
One of the inevitable pitfalls of getting older is the onset of facial wrinkles. I'll be the first to admit I don't like them taunting me every time I look in the mirror, but I can't deny their presence.
Yes, I use various lotions to try to minimize the situation, and I employ make-up to help soften the look of age. But nothing I can do will ever erase them completely. Believe it or not, I'm okay with that. As Mrs. Fairchild says in my novels, they aren't wrinkles, they're "life lines."
I like that!
So, in light of this, when my senior high school photo emerges at my mother's house, I'm not envious of the youthful, supple face that was once mine. Do I feel a bit nostalgic for the bygone days? I suppose so, but never do I feel the longing to turn back the hands of time.
When granddaughter, Virginia Rose, and I travel to Mom's house earlier this summer, Great-Nana thinks it a grand idea to show her this picture. Oh, no! What will Virginia think about her ancient Gammie now? What will she say?
Virginia takes one look at the photo, then turns to me with a broad smile and states the last thing I'd ever expect to hear: "You look just the same, Gammie!"
WHAT??? And immediately, I wonder if this child needs her eyes checked! But the second thought I entertain is the why Virginia views my appearance in this way.
I glance over at my ninety-one-year-old mother, and the answer hits me like the proverbial ton of bricks. I don't see an aged woman, I see her! The person who raised me, cared for me and loved me with a deep and abiding commitment. A precious love we'll always share.
It's the same kind of love Virginia has for me, and I for her.
A love guaranteed to cover over a multitude of sins.
And wrinkles, too!
Amen!
What a wonderful story and life lesson, Martha. Thank you. Indeed love conquers all ... even the passing of time. Just ask God. He'll tell you about love.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family.
God is the Lord of Love, Victor, so true! Glad you liked the story and lesson here today, my friend.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Great perspective... It is so true I can't beat time when it comes my physical appearance. I can only hope that with time the heart does look better.
ReplyDeleteThat should be our ardent prayer, Ryan, that our hearts would reflect Jesus' love as we grow older.
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is so very sweet. visiting you today from the link up at counting my blessings. laurensparks.net
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy your blog, Lauren, and am actually subscribed to it. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, indeed. Yours is a terrific perspective, Martha! Owing to a small part genetics and TOO much neglect, my only recourse is plastic surgery. But you know what? I've finally learned what it means to love oneself; I'm not gonna sweat the small stuff.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Mevely! No sense in sweating the small stuff. Just being thankful for a life well lived is enough. The heck with those wrinkles! :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
A lovely post and ditto each comment above. I can't say more!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed the post, Terri!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wrinkles as "life lines" -- that's a wonderful thought. We've earned every one of them, and hopefully we are wiser with each one!
ReplyDeleteHere's a thought: I've heard we should sleep on our back so our face is less likely to form wrinkles during the hours of slumber. However, we are also more inclined to SNORE when our our backs!!! LOL! What's a girl to do?!!
I hear you, Barbara! I hate sleeping on my back because, yes, it makes the likelihood of snoring just that much more plausible. It's the right side for me. :)
DeleteAnd yes, we've earned those life lines, haven't we? Don't think I'd trade a one of them.
Love and blessings!
Just beautiful, Martha (like you!).
ReplyDeleteOh, Beckie, thank you, dear friend! You always offer so much encouragement in your comments and on your stellar blog.
DeleteLove and blessings!
You are so beautiful, sweet Martha. I am sure you haven't changed a bit, only better with time. May the Lord continue to bless you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Cheryl! I think it's God's plan to only make us better with age, so may we grow older in His grace.
DeleteLove and blessings!
It's the old adage that beauty is only skin deep and true beauty lives within. In a movie I have one character comments, ""A face can change over the years, but the heart can remain true." I like that thought. We wear many faces during our lifetime from infancy to old age, but we are still, inside, who we were created to be. I must be blessed with good genetics, and of course I try to eat well [and I sleep on my back without snoring :-)] since at 74 I don't have any real wrinkles. Actually my mother lived to 97 and had few wrinkles. But with or without them, I will still be me, especially in God's eyes. That's a good thought.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Diane! We will always still be who God created us to be, and beloved in His eyes, no matter how many wrinkles we boast as we age. And I love that quote you shared here, because what we really see through the eyes of love is the heart, the inner being, the very soul. That never changes! Ordered your book and am so looking forward to adding it to my devotional time.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I know my wrinkles are definitely getting deeper these days, and my gray hairs are multiplying...but I still feel like the younger me inside. The body doesn't always agree, however. But thankfully the Lord looks on the heart, and that is what lives forever (the soul, that is)...and that is our true being shining out between the lines. Your Virginia is such a sweetheart. You are so blessed to be able to enjoy her so much. She is learning so much from you as well. What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteYes, Pamela, I do count Virginia as a blessing in my life every single day. But like you, I still feel like the younger and vibrant me inside that God has so graciously placed there. May we ever remember that He doesn't look at the outward appearance, but discerns the heart. Celebrate the wrinkles!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I had to laugh when I read your post. We are in Colorado visiting my 4-year-old grandson. One day he asked me "Mimi, what are those lines on your forehead?" My husband told him that they were from worrying about all of my kids and grandchildren. He was right - I am a worrier! I still feel like 30 on the inside, though. Your Virginia is a sweetie! She is such a blessing in your life!
ReplyDeleteYour husband gave your grandson the right answer, Laurie - we DO worry about our kids and grandkids, although when I catch myself doing so, I try to switch out as fast as possible to praying for them instead. And like you, I feel young on the inside. I can live with that!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wonderful story with a beautiful truth, Martha. Well done. :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed this reflection, Frank!
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Wow, I love this! And I needed it! I struggle with the wrinkles but I will say - Rev and I were talking the other night and agreed that we've loved the journey and wouldn't want to turn back time. Thanks my friend! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you enjoyed the post, Deb! Danny and I have loved our journey, too, and wouldn't want it any other way, even all the wrinkles could be erased.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I would be lying if I said I didn’t care about the wrinkles and all the other signs of aging. I do, but my daughter-in-Love tells me all the time that I’m gorgeous. I believe she doesn’t see what I do I. The mirror, but rather the love I have for her and the happiness she has brought me as my second daughter. This post really tuned me in to that astonishing truth. Thanks, Martha.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this post reminded you that you are beautiful, Nells, inside and out! And what a blessing it is to have such a devoted daughter-in-love. I know you treasure her.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a wonderful post, Martha. I love that. But when I look in the mirror, I see my face sliding off my cheekbones and hanging from my jawline -- ha!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Galen! But I can live with it, as I'm sure you can, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
You have a precious granddaughter. My granddaughter is 1 1/2 and she's at the stage of pointing at my freckles, moles, and imperfections and saying, "Boo boo". :) I have enough to keep her busy. ha.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Lisa, yes, the little ones will do that sort of stuff unabashedly. They are simply so open and curious about everything! And it's a fact your granddaughter is as cute as she can be - I've so enjoyed seeing the photos of her on your blog.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love this post Martha. It is filled with life. I know I am not like I used to be. But I'm not supposed to be. I am not what I used to be spiritually. But I'm not supposed to be. Sometimes I linger some on how I used to cycle every day and for miles. Now i know I can't do it everyday as I once did nor for as many miles. But I'm okay with that because God has still given me the health to do what I love to do. I'm going to have to post my picture. I guarantee it won't look as good as yours. Just the hair alone puts me to shame. LOL
ReplyDeleteYour comment here, Bill, is a reflection in and of itself. No, we aren't the same, but we aren't supposed to be. Age has its merits, especially when we've allowed God to grow us spiritually and in wisdom. And I hear you about the hair - so would Danny!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh Martha, this post is wonderful! The world would be such a different place if we could get past outward appearances and see the inner person--the part of what makes us human.
ReplyDeleteVirginia is off to a great start in seeing the inner character of a person.
Love and blessings!
I think she's off to a great start, too, Kim, and I feel blessed knowing she's seeing with the eyes of love. And yes, the world would be such a better place if we didn't judge others by outward appearance, but looked at the heart instead.
DeleteLove and blessings!
AMEN, SISTER! We are so much more than what is visible on the outside!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Oh, yes, Loralu, there's so much more to all of us than meets the eye! May we always look past the wrinkles to the heart and soul of another.
DeleteLove and blessings!