AUGUST 1

Job 33:4

                                             ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR LOOKS 

“I hate this ugly nose!” wailed Lena as she looked in the mirror. “Why can’t I have a nose like Sara’s? Hers is just perfect!” “Oh, honey, your nose looks just fine!”said Mom.She picked up her purse.“We’ve got to get going if we want to stop at the zoo today. Are you ready?” “Yeah, I’m ready but I’m going have my nose fixed some day, Mom,” replied Lena, “and then it will look much better.” Mom just smiled.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, and Lena and her mother enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the zoo. “ The elephants have such long trunks,” commented Mom as they stopped to watch the great beasts. “I’m glad my nose isn’t that long.” “It wouldn’t look so good on you,” agreed Lena, “but I like it on the elephants. That’s one of the things that makes an elephant an elephant!”

At the rhinoceros’cage,Mom laughed as she pointed to the horns on their noses. “Oh, dear! That kind of nose would be even worse!” Lena laughed, too.

When Mom continued to make comments about almost every animal’s nose, it began to irritate Lena. She gave her mother a curious look. When they reached the baboons, Mom turned to her. “ Their noses are much too stubby, don’t you think?” Mom asked. “Wouldn’t they look better if their noses were more like the tigers’?” Lena was annoyed. “No, they wouldn’t,” she snapped. “I like them just the way they are. Besides, you’ve told me yourself that God made everything. He knows how they should look.”

“Exactly.” Mom nodded. “And who made you, Lena? And your nose?” “Oh!” exclaimed Lena as she clapped her hand over her nose. “God did. I... Okay, Mom. I guess I shouldn’t compare or complain. I get the message.” Mom smiled.“Good,”she said.“I think we often worry too much about the way we look. Perhaps we should be more concerned about the way we act. I’m afraid our attitudes often stick out a lot more than our noses do,so let’s make sure our attitudes and actions are pleasing to other people and especially to God.”

Thought: Are you happy with the way you look—or do you wish you looked like someone else? Perhaps you think your ears or your feet are too big. Maybe you wish your hair, eyes, or skin were a different color. Looks are only skin deep. In other words, the way you look is not as important as what you are inside. And don’t forget—God made you special, and He loves you just the way you are. Your family and friends do, too.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to learn to not look at the outside but focus more on the inside. May I be able to accept myself as I am, and thank you for making me, me! In Jesus’ name – amen.