| 11:51a |
Hiya, toots!
Does anyone actually like feet? This is a question that I was forced to contemplate, after my friend Jungle Jane invited me to her Nutrimetics foot spa two Mondays ago. When I first told my sister that I was going, she wrinkled her nose and said, "Ew, feet!" I felt quite the same- my feet aren't the hottest things around, seeing as they're usually encased in purple Doc Marten's or hot pink Cons, trying to make a run from either cranky Myer managers or kids who are trying to lick and tackle me. After conducting an extensive survey (three girlfriends from the Book Department at Myer), I realised that the "Ew, feet!" sentiment is one that is not uncommon. The words I wrote down during my research (a boring four hour shift) included these key words: ugly, stinky, blisters, 'offensive if not looked after'. Furthermore, one of my friends there has a boyfriend whose ex-girlfriend was a foot model. Enough said.
Anyway, before I went to Jungle Jane's foot spa, I washed and moisturised my feet. Which I suppose is like cleaning your house before the cleaning lady comes so that she won't think that you're a slob, only I wouldn't know that because I've never had a cleaning lady and I never want one. The foot spa turned out to be a really sweet, lovely time. We had strawberries dipped in melted chocolate, and Tim Tams dipped in melted chocolate, and melted chocolate dipped in melted chocolate. And we got to soak our feet in hot water with all of these lovely smelling oils in them, and then rub in pepperminty lotions into our tootsies. I came out feeling all warm and pampered and girly.
But all of this hype around my feet got me thinking. Like, our feet go EVERYWHERE with us- to the toilet, to uni or work or whatever, through bad times and good times, and through the wee on the floor at childcare centres. Or maybe that's just me. Anyway, Jungle Jane's foot spa made me think of how humble and generous Jesus was to wash the feet of His disciples, which happened just before He died. I love how Jesus wanted to serve us- He wasn't like, "Clean my feet, minions!", which is what He should have said, anyway. But instead, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, which must have been a bit of an icky task, when you consider that in Jesus' time, they wore sandals and the roads were all dusty and stuff. In John chapter 13, Jesus' disciple Simon Peter was embarrassed to have the great Lord wash his feet, so he protested, "No, you shall never wash my feet." And Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." Jesus washing the disciples' feet was symbolic of Him serving them in an extremely personal and loving way, as well as the forgiveness He extended to them. He made them clean again, no matter where they had been. And after Jesus was finished washing His disciples' feet, he said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." We must truly care and look after each other, and help make each other smell sweet, even if it means getting down to grimy issues and doing things we might not want to do.
By the way, I think that I made a pretty lousy Nutrimetics customer. While Jungle Jane's friend Charmaine was trying to tell us how this apricot kernel oil lotion thingummy was supposed to get rid of scarring, I piped up with, "But I LIKE my scars!" Also, I don't really see the point of trying to preserve my youthful complexion when I look like I'm fifteen anyway. While I totally dig lotions and potions that smell lovely (you all know about my lip gloss and coconut body wash addictions), what really gets me buzzing is inner beauty. Because inner beauty doesn't fade. In fact, it gets brighter and stronger, the more we age and the more we experience. Inner beauty will also give us the strength to act with grace and gentleness when difficult situations arise, when all we really want to do is chuck a pretty diva-like tantrum. I love this Bible verse: "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery 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) That Bible verse isn't saying that we shouldn't ever try to look spunky, or that we shouldn't ever shout out "NICE ONE!" at a good rock concert. What it is saying is that inner beauty is far more valuable, lasting and difficult to acquire than shiny hair or hip clothes. And I truly believe that.
So today, think of ways you can pamper your inner beauty, to make it shine out as brightly as possible. If we can use perfume to smell nice or blusher to look all rosy, surely we can do things to enhance our inner beauty as well. Smile at the bus driver or smile when another driver gives you the finger; buy or make a coffee for your work mate; really listen to a friend's problem. And people will notice and appreciate these acts of beauty far more than a groovy outfit or newly waxed eyebrows. Pray that God will help you to develop your inner beauty, and that you will be as committed to being inwardly beautiful as you are to being a hottie on the outside. Let me know how you go. |