“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 your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

There he stood, all 3 feet and 3 years of himself.  His hands were full with a small cup in each as he carried them to the trash can under the attentive eye of his mother.  I glanced his way as I waited for friends in front of the church. He had on a pair of sunglasses … upside down… and then I noticed that he was missing a lens.  I almost broke out in applause for the mother who didn’t hinder her son from wearing those sunglasses in public.

This young lad inspired me.

In wearing his imperfect on the outside, he was reflecting the absolute beauty of being perfectly imperfect.

His perceived message was that he didn’t care what anyone thought of his outward appearance as long as he was happy with himself.  I want the freedom this young man’s untarnished youth brought, unfettered by preconceived notions and expectations.

I am… sadly… soiled by society.  There is an unspoken rule that I cannot wear my sunglasses upside down on my head while missing a lens.  It’s just not right by their standards.

That’s when God says … it doesn’t matter.  The Message Bible says it in this way, “What matters is not your outer appearance – the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes but your inner disposition.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 (MSG)

As much as it tempts me, I will not be wearing my sunglasses upside down on my head with one lens.  But, I will smile and remember that the important thing is that I spend as much time on nurturing the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit as I do on taking care of the outside shell.  And in doing so, embrace the perfectly imperfect with a grateful heart.

Father, Thank You for the lessons we learn through others. Thank You for Your wisdom in reminding us that it is really “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” that You treasure.  Help us to polish that treasure as a fragrant offering to You.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.