Today my children played out in the yard for several hours. The weather was beautiful, just perfect for playing "Princess". Anastasia was "Belle" and Catherine was "Cinderella". They were playing just behind their large set of play toys. Happily, no fussing, no bickering. . . that should have been a warning sign! Eventually they emerged, wearing their formal princess gloves, they were ready to go to the ball! Beautiful long gloves, extending to the upper arm, just above the elbow on Anastasia and to the upper arm on Catherine, PAINTED ON WITH DARK BROWN MUD! Indeed, they were ready for Prince Charming at the Ball! They had spent significant time preparing themselves to be appropriately attired.
How many of us wives still prepare ourselves for time with our husband as we did when we were dating / courting? Yes, the days when we spent considerable time being sure we exhibited perfectly clean shaven legs, perfect make-up, hair, and just the right clothing for the particular occasion of the day. Do we still put in that effort? Do we still prepare to see our husband with the care for detail needed to go to a ball?
I am the first to admit failure to this. We have 5 children, 4 at home (that are all under age 8). I am EXHAUSTED by the end of the day and used to feel that looking so as well helped to show my husband how hard I worked. I got out of the habit of making myself presentable to him a priority.
Inspired by an ancient "Good Housekeeping" article about how to prepare for Dad's return home from work, I made changes. Inspired by an article a relative sent me, in disgust that women would act in such a manner as to have taken this article seriously when it was printed - the 1950's. Her radical feminist comments did not make if far with me though, I thought the article had some good "common sense" advice (though being mathematically minded, I did not believe the list could be done in the 30 minutes - 1 hour they said it should take).
So, now, No, I still do not shave every day. No, I do not even wash my hair everyday. But I am making a definite effort to look in a mirror about 30 minutes before my husband returns from work or class and then tend to at least the basics. I re-brush my hair, make sure my mascara has not rubbed off (further adding to the dark circles all ready under my eyes from being able to count full nights sleep in the past 14 months on one hand), go brush my teeth, and make sure I have a clean shirt on. Perhaps, even a quick spray of perfume makes it to my wrists and neck.
Oddly enough, my husband verbally appreciates the work I do more now that I try to make light of it, than before when I wanted to bring up the topic myself(verbally and non-verbally).
Yes, the Bible says something about this too! . . . go figure, GOD is right AGAIN!! This can easily apply to any work we do that may leave a change in our appearance or demeanor, not just fasting.
Let's look in Matthew 6:16-17 (King James Version)
16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
LET US SEEK OUR TREASURE IN HEAVEN!
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