"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

The other day I went to the store sporting my favorite over-sized sweatshirt, a pony tail, and no makeup, which is not out of the ordinary. While there, I ran into a couple people that I used to work with at the bank. They looked so polished in their appearance and I suddenly became VERY aware of my frumpiness and every pound I've gained over the last several years.

My eight month old son was with me, which was my only comfort. I kept trying to divert people's attention to his adorable chubby cheeks and huge smiles. My "use Jadon as a diversion" plan was working pretty well until I took him out of the shopping cart at the checkout and he leaked through his diaper all over my sweatshirt. Great...frumpy and now peed on.

Of course I had one more stop to make and was already running late to finish supper for the Bible Study group. So I did a quick diaper and clothes change for him in the van and ran into the grocery store. After running into a couple more people (and feeling like a horrible parent as the only outfit I had in the diaper bag was short sleeved and it was definitely a long-sleeved type of day) I felt like crawling in a hole and hiding.

Why is it that we care so much about what others think of us? The Bible tells us that "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Rather than focusing on my over-sized sweatshirt and ponytail, I need to focus on my heart. What does God see in me that needs polished/transformed?

It is much easier to create a personal checklist including make-up and dieting, than admitting there are internal issues to deal with. Am I thinking about "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (Philippians 4:8)? Have I "learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Philippians 4:11)? Do I care more about "clothing myself with compassion, kindness, humilty, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12) than the dress that doesn't fit anymore?

I firmly believe that when our hearts are in-tune with God, our outward appearance reflects it. If we focus on Him and the standards He reveals to us in scripture, then He will shine through us so that others will see His glory.  So let's "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).