Guest Post. by Sarah Graf.

To Smell the Roses
Sarah Graf January 31, 2011

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Yes, we have all heard this saying before, but do you ever really think about what this means. Each of us sees beauty differently. What one person sees as non-chalet, ordinary, everyday, the same, one person might see it radiant, whimsical, beautiful.
Some see art ridiculous and confusing; others see it inspirational, soothing, and magnificent. Fashion and the latest fads to one person, may be cool, artsy, and stylish, while others see it pointless, expensive and a waste of time. Some see nature and our world as just a place we live on that some how has a life of its own. While others see a completely new world of intrigue, perfection, uniqueness.
There is beauty in everything you just have to open up your eyes and heart to discover it.
I once did an article on “The beauty of a Leper.” That was a hard one but soon I discovered that he was beautiful despite his outer appearance.
This is one thing we as humans do too often, look on the outside and judge automatically.
1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

Most of the time people lose that inner child, that curiosity, that openness. They forget to stop and smell the roses and feel as though they are too old to have the mind set of a child. Does not Mark 10:13-16 speak on having faith as a child?
Beauty is not about your nightly routine, the new anti-aging make up, the label on the clothes, four inch heels, pricey perfume, body lotion, or whatever else physical beauty apparently relies on according to the media.
Beauty is about the little things that will add to a more meaningful life.
To know true beauty is to know you are gorgeous. You were made to be you, with all your uniqueness, differences, personality, and flaws. And yes your flaws are beautiful also, without them you would not be you.
So realize you are beautiful in every little or big way. And if you still do not feel it, stop listening to others, learn to love what you don’t, and see yourself as God does.
1 Peter 3:3-5 “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after the manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.”

Might I point out here, that it says at 1 Peter 3:5 “For after the manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands.”
This sounds as though Godly women did adorn themselves to be womanly and enhance their beauty. Yes, it just talked that adorning did not matter and it is the inside that counts, we shouldn’t get overwhelmed with the outside appearance because it is our heart that matters, but I also believe that we should try to keep up ourselves and look womanly and pretty.
There are so many verses in the Bible that says of women preparing their selves for their husbands or such, with oils, scents, baths, styles, etc. So why would it be any different now? This is very much beauty, so embrace that, but do it in a healthy way or one that suites you. Do not feel as though you need to do this to be pretty because you already are. And this does not matter whether or not you are married. Learn to make yourself up to enhance what you already have just like those Godly women did in the Bible.

Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious then rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”

Discover the beauty that lies everywhere. It all has something awesome to offer.
Have you ever observed at an evening sunset, how golden flecks sparkle in rays through the window?
Have you ever watch bubbles popping and fizzing in a glass of soda?
Delicate veins flowing through a leaf, or the subtle color that blends together in a flower petal. Even the silky touch of a petal is beautiful, the smoothness of a rock, maybe the touch of a friend’s hand.
Of course everyone can see the beauty in a mother soothing her sleepy infant to a blissful slumber, but what about a mother crocodile?
A mother crocodile is amazing at caring for her young. She will guard her eggs for weeks until one day they start to hatch and make itty, bitty calls for their mama. If one is having problems getting out of its shells she will even help out by gently squeezing the egg in her mouth to break it up a little. When they are hatched, she will then, gently take them into her mouth, a few at a time, and put them into the water. The babies will stay with her until they are big enough to survive on their own.
Although people see the crocodile as fierce, scary creatures, she is one of the most tender and caring creatures of all.
God made the whole world like a painting. Everything is beautiful and perfect and even those not so lovely things are magnificent.

Genesis 1:1,31 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

Psalms 104:24 “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”

Colossians 1:17 “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

It is also good for a woman to take a bit of time for herself and enjoy the little things. We have heard it is selfish to do for ourselves, but I don’t see anywhere in the Bible it says women need to run their selves into the ground to make everyone happy. We should take a bit of time to refuel because if we didn’t we would run on empty and nothing can run on empty for so long.

There are many verses in the Bible about rest, but these are just a few.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Isaiah 30:15 “…In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…”

Psalm 23:2-3 “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

As women we were made to be awesome and make the earth gorgeous-without us, guys would have this whole place lined with sports posters, fishing poles, stinky socks, and my biggest pet peeve, NO COLOR. Yuck!
So enjoy what you have, love what you see, take rest, and see the beauty in everything. God made us a beautiful place, so it is time to start seeking it out.

Here are some beautiful quotes.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart.” ~Helen Keller

“Beauty is not democratic; she reveals herself more to the few than to the many.” ~C.S. Lewis

“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.” ~Martin Luther

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. ~George Washington Carver


To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment. ~Jane Austen


Follow her on her blog here! White Roses.