A Gentle and Quiet Spirit

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment,
such as elaborate hairstyles
and the wearing of gold jewelry
or fine clothes.
Rather, 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

It's a cool Sunday morning, and outside my window I hear the birds chirping merrily.


Many thoughts are going on in my mind.


Next Sunday, a week from today I will be turning 58.


I arrived in Manila last week to spend twelve days with my only daughter, who lives in this city. We will have a special lunch at my favorite restaurant today to have an advance celebration of my special day.


Then I will return to Bacolod City just a few days before my birthday, so that I can celebrate my birthday with my two sons and their families.


Surely that day deserves a special blog post... but this morning I just want to share some of the thoughts going on in my mind.


Right now my heart bursts with thanksgiving to my Creator God for making me who I am.


I feel so loved, and I feel so special.

...My parents brought me up in an atmosphere and environment of love.

...My one and only sister loves me.

...My husband loved me with a selfless love.

...My children love, honor, and respect me.

...My husband's family loves me and has a high regard for me.

...I have many friends - and my friends love me!


It is worth saying it again: Yes, I feel so loved, and I feel so special.


And the greatest thing I am thankful for today is that my heavenly Father loves me. He is for me, He is on my side!


And what's more, probably because I feel so loved, I feel beautiful... even if people may not always agree with that.


Yesterday, I got an email from my only sister. She always wants the best for me, and toward the end of her letter, she wrote, "Oh, by the way, I think you should put on more make-up when you go out...."


Bless my dear sister's heart. I know she loves me, and I understand what she meant when she said that.


In response, I just had to smile at her well-intentioned words. Her suggestion is well taken, and of course, I will heed her advice, when the occasion calls for it.


Honestly, for daily wear I do apply very light make-up... probably too light, it's not obvious.


And anyway, with or without it, I still feel beautiful.


Please don't misunderstand. I'm not in any way fishing for compliments. My heart is just overflowing this morning, and I want to share the joy surging through my veins.


There is something about being loved that makes one feel beautiful inside.


There was a season in my life when Ugly was the label I wore. The story about this chapter of my life is briefly mentioned in my introductory post for this blog, What's In A Name.


For months I refused to look at my face in the mirror because I couldn't stand the ugly face staring back at me.


Then God stepped in.


In an incredible encounter I had with Him one night, He gave me a new name. He said, You are a Crown of Beauty, a Royal Diadem, in My hand.


That was a major turning point in my life.


And He opened my spiritual eyes to see the beauty in the midst of my painful circumstances, the beauty of His purposes unfolding before my eyes. He gave me a new perspective from which to view my life, and taught my heart to respond in acceptance, joy, thanksgiving, and hope!


He showed that there is beauty in pain and disappointment! He led me to the wellspring of hope, to drink often from it, and fill my cup to overflowing!


This is the truth I declare: Jesus is my Crown of Beauty... He has made all things beautiful, in His time.



So here I am today, on the threshold of my 58th year. Eating healthy... walking as much as I can... feeling young, not old... and yet knowing that each day, I am one day closer to eternity!


Thank You dear Father for gracing my life with Your love. I surely do not deserve it... but I gladly receive it.


This song, another of my favorites, says it all:


The Stand
by Hillsong United

You stood before creation
Eternity within Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand.

You stood before my failure
Carried the Cross for my shame
My sin weighed upon Your shoulders
My soul now to stand.

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation
Your Spirit alive in me
This life to declare Your promise
My soul now to stand

So what can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart O God
Completely to You

So I'll stand
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One Who gave it all

So I'll stand
My soul LORD to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

This year, mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.
Write a letter.
Give a soft answer.
Encourage youth.
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.
Keep a promise.
Forgo a grudge.
Forgive an enemy.
Apologize.
Try to understand.
Examine your demands on others.
Think first of someone else.
Be kind.
Be gentle.
Laugh a little more.
Express your gratitude.
Welcome a stranger.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.
Speak your love and then speak it again.

- Howard W. Hunter


This is me with my childhood best friend, Cynthia. We went to school together for twelve years! She arrived in Manila for a week for the burial of her baby brother Norby who passed away on March 12. Yesterday, she returned to San Francisco where she resides. This picture was taken during the lunch we had together with our other high school friends.