All the women we loved

I recently received a forwarded e-mail from a friend with an attachment labeled, " All the women we loved." Sometimes I just delete forwards, but I usually enjoy female perspectives on almost any topic, so I opened it. This one surprised me with various photographs of female television and movie actresses, then and now. Names that I'm sure anyone over 50 would recognize, Annette Funicello, Elke Sommer, Anne Margaret, Jill St. John, Barbara Eden, Elizabeth Taylor, Raquel Welch. These ladies were my generation's vision of beauty: blond, brunette and red head. The slide show listed their ages from 64 through 91. Some of the ladies aged well and others did not; but one thing was surely evident they did all age! Sagging skin, wrinkles, and grey hair.

This aging process is, indeed, one that slowly seeps into all our skins, and unfortunately quickens with time. I, too, am dealing with this as I approach the big 60. These photos made me stop and reflect, one of those, "What's it all about?" moments. I found many comforting verses in my Bible, here's just one: "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1Samuel 16:7. Though my physical appearance is aging, my heart is growing softer and younger. Gone are the critical attitudes, cynicism, and covetousness of youth. They have been replaced by a deeper understanding of who God is and who I am not. Yet a desire to be all that He wants me to be is renewed daily. Hopefully, through my remaining years with his help, I can get there. Though my face and body will be old, I'll have an Easter heart, that will dazzle the world.