The Beauty Counter

     Jennifer wanted to find the perfect project to do for her psychology class.  Earning an A would practically lock in her 4.0 GPA.

     But, it actually went a little deeper than that.  She wanted to make a difference.  

     So, she sat down and prayed, asking God for guidance.  One day, she got a great idea.  It came to her while she watched all the personal grooming her little sister went through while getting ready for school.

     Jennifer called her project the Beauty Window.  She got permission to conduct her experiment.  She enlisted the help of a couple of her friends.

  They attached a small vanity mirror to a table and had a small chair.  The first week, they went to the local junior high school.  They were allowed to set up in the hallway.

  Everyone that passed by was asked to look in the mirror and describe what they see.  The answers amongst the teen girls and boys were pretty consistent.

  They made comments about their looks and what they were wearing.  They wanted to get the newest fad and would look even better.

   The staff commented on tired they were and underappreciated.  Everything pretty much appeared as anticipated.

   Now the second week, Jennifer and her team took their project to an elementary school.  They asked students and teachers to look in the mirror and describe what they see.

  Most of the teachers described their excitement to bring new learning to their young students.

   But, it was the response from the young children that brought the greatest surprise.  They saw everything from happiness, to joy and delight.

   One little kindergarten girl came up.  She looked in the mirror, then looked at Jennifer and smiled.  'I see my Jesus smiling at me.'  She said.

   Jennifer knew she had proved the point of her project.  When the heart is not overtaken and influenced by a lost world, it can see clearly.

   It also taught her a great lesson as well.  We have to live every moment with the pure heart of a child.  For when we look with the heart we can truly see.

   Jennifer got her A.  But she was even more grateful for the incredible life lesson too!

   

  

     

Don't Give Up

Father:

Help me to never lose hope, and to always see the light,

The beauty of your awesome love that is forever there

Even though the path is rugged, help me with all my might

to continue on with strength because you so greatly care.

I can do any thing because you are right there for me

You lift me up and help me throughout each step of the way

When I want to quit, your encouragement comes so perfectly

to lead me to an exciting and brighter, brand new day.

So, Father, I pledge to never give up at any time,

I will look to you for strength, and happiness from your hands

It is in you, where all of the greatest things I will find

I know that you have dynamic promise and an awesome plan!

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Revelations

     Julie sat quietly in the dark stillness of the early morning hours crying.  She just couldn't understand why she was disliked so intensely.

     The idea of being in college was exciting for her.  She loved going to her classes and was on the Dean's list.  But the last several months have shown a dramatic change.

     Her grades have plummeted.  Her low GPA have put her in danger of losing her scholarship.  Julie knew that her distress all started when two new girls came to campus.

     Their names were Darlene and Maria.  Julie always thought of herself as an outgoing and loving person.

     But no matter how hard she tried, these two girls just didn't like her.  They mocked her and talked bad about her.

     Julie's parents demanded that she come home for spring break.  She was filled with fear.  How was she going to explain her grades?  She was worried that her parents would make her come home permanently and get a job.

     Julie washed her face.  She finished packing and took a cab to the airport.  Her parents were delightful and embraced her when they met her plane.

     But the car ride home was silent and chilling.  Her mother came in to help her unpack.  She began to ask about school.  Julie quickly told her that she just didn't feel like talking.

     After dinner, the entire family went to church for revival meeting.  Her older brother is the head Pastor.  They had a guest speaker from Europe.

     Julie listened with great interest as the speaker spoke about Jesus when he lived on earth.  He was treated with cruelty even though he had done so much good.  

    When the altar call was given, Julie went forward and rededicated her heart to Jesus.  Tears began to stream down her face as she cried when the spirit of the Lord touched her.

     Julie attended every meeting for the entire week.  At the end of the week, her brother called her into his office.  The evangelist wanted to talk to her.

     He said that the Lord had laid it on his heart to pray for her.  She was going through a lot.  Julie told him about the two girls.

     The Pastor smiled brightly.  He told her that this was a beautiful chance for her to be a light of God's perfect love.

     He said for her to return to school with her head held high.  Her Heavenly Father is right beside her.  Whenever they start to mistreat her she should simply say:  God bless you.

     Julie returned to school feeling like a new person and with more confidence.  As soon as the bullying resumed, she did exactly what the Pastor said each time.

    Soon the bullying stopped.  The girls asked her why she said that.  Julie told them how much she cares about them and how much God cares about them.

     Both girls wanted to know more.  They both came from broken single parent homes.  Julie prayed with them and led them to the Lord.

     Her grades skyrocketed again.  But her biggest delight was seeing God's perfect love shine so brilliantly!

     

     

     

Beautiful Overflow

My Jesus...

I am in awe of the beauty that flows so perfectly...

It's like a refreshing source of pure hope for all around

I reach out to learn more about the wonder that I see

And all the magnificent love and grace that so abounds.

My ❤ heart sees beautiful blessings, love and peace coming through pure...

And all the magnificent wonder of your power

A flowing source of strength for a foundation to endure

Guidance and promise to hold on to with every hour.

Your ❤ heart is a beautiful picture of all things that's you..

It's always lit with your power and no boundaries

I have a special place in it my entire life through

Jesus I want you to see that great love and grace in me.

Picture Perfect Love

Jesus...

How can I say thank you for a boundless love that's there for me...

Even though I do not deserve anything it is so true

What other people cannot understand there's much more you see

I am truly precious in your eyes and mean the world to you.

It is a love that forgives and makes everything brand new...

A love that sees new hope and promise and many open doors

A love that has patience and understanding our whole life through

A breathtaking love whose grace can do miracles and more.6am

It is a perfect love that is always there for the asking...

To create a masterpiece out of something no one could see

I want so much more of that great love and all that it may bring

Jesus let your sweet anointing and love now flow into me!

Beautiful Mercy

My Breathtaking Jesus...

There is a precious gift that is there for me every day...

But, by my humanity I don't realize on what it stands

I try to make it through every moment in my own way

Never once realizing the simple fact that only you can.

There are factors in my life that try to define who I am...

But then the breathtaking mercy of your love and grace prevail

You reach out with your anointing to show me your special plan

Factors of blessing from a loving Saviours heart quickly hail.

You show me that I am your child so loved beyond compare...

Nothing will ever take my place in your heart so perfectly

Whenever I need you and call with strength, you will be there

Taking care of everything with real love, grace and mercy.

So when I look at who I am, in total, so completely...

I realize I am defined by your love in me and your grace

Suddenly, it is a new more positive world that I see

As I reach out for the warmth and comfort of your sweet embrace.

Beautiful Grace

My Jesus...

Beautiful grace 💘 Love's me with a pure love exactly as I am...

I am a work in progress, forgiven and made so wonderfully new

By this understanding and patient grace, I have a unique plan

To take steps that show that pure love brightly my whole pathway through.

I don't have to be worried or be concerned about anything...

Grace will always be there with real answers throughout all of my steps

There be a flow of pure peace, tranquility, and understanding

And an overflow of the greatest blessings and pure happiness.

My Jesus, thank you for the greatest gift of your grace every day...

It is priceless, yet at any second, always ready to flow

I pledge my ❤ heart to you in every picture perfect new way

Thank you for seeing hope and being my perfect grace wherever I go.