The Beauty Treatment
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 3:55PM
Michael and Donna Martin

By: Donna Martin

As I look in the mirror these days it appears that my anti-aging regiment is losing the battle.  The tiny fine lines are winning.  I always wanted to highlight my hair, but did not have the nerve to do so.  Now it is becoming naturally highlighted except that the highlights are gray instead of blonde.  And for some reason my skin is starting to sag despite the fact that I lift my 5 pound weights every other day and walk/jog on the other days.  Some days it just feels like an endless battle.  I am almost thankful for the failing eyesight because if I don't put on my glasses I can imagine that I look as young as I always have. The downside to no glasses is that the lipstick is not always straight - just another pesky tell tell sign that age is winning.

In 1 Peter 3, Peter gives us a beauty treatment that will last well into our old age.  He says, "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.  Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is the way of the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands."

That is a beautiful phrase "which is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful."  There's the secret to lasting beauty and it does not even cost $10!!!!  But it takes so much more effort that smoothing on the anti-aging cream or even lifting weights. It takes a daily renewing of my heart, lots of prayer and Bible study and involves more than just being respectful with my words.  And that's where it gets hard.  I have to watch those sighs signaling my aggravation,  the looks that show my annoyance, oh, yes, and the eye-rolling.  Those actions are just not pretty.

But Peter's words don't just stop with the women.  As we continue to read there's a message for the men in verse 7.  "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing hinders your prayers."  So, men if you want to have an effective prayer life you need to treat your wife with respect just like you want her to treat you.  As a side note, it doesn't bother me to be referred to as the "weaker partner".  Someone has to be the leader, and it takes a lot of pressure off of me for Mike to fill that role.  As Mike and I have grown older what I love most about him is his integrity,  his gentleness, and his inner strength that always brings calmness to any situation.  Men, these qualities are more important to your wife that a head full of hair or strong muscles.

There's nothing more unappealing than a grumpy old man or a grumpy old woman.  But there is true beauty when older people are filled with the love and power of God. 

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The Martins currently present “Happy Together” Marriage Enrichment Events for churches and organizations.  To schedule an event call Michael at 940-735-1515. They are certified “Prepare/Enrich” Facilitators and are available to work with couples on an individual basis using the “Prepare/Enrich Assessment.”  They publish a weekly “Happy Together” Blog about family and marriage issues.  You can order copies of their new books Dancing With Death and 366 Tidbits We Have Learned in 14,610 Days of Marriage, read, and subscribe to their “Happy Together” Blog by logging onto the Martin’s website at www.happytogethermarriages.com.


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