What is Beauty?
Long hair? A different eye color?
A skinny body? A muscular body?
Is it good clothing?
A good complexion?
Popularity?
Is it having a boyfriend or girlfriend?
Let me ask you something: If having any of those things is beauty, are we living to our fullest potential or are we searching for beauty in what the world defines as beautiful?
My entire life I have never been the “cool kid” or part of the “cool crowd.” I always wanted it, but as high school began, I quickly pegged myself as a floater, because I was able to be a chameleon and get along with a number of different people from different social statuses. I was always afraid to sit with the “cool kids” because I was different, not cool enough, etc… I found myself feeling the same as college came around. I quickly became independent instead of solidifying myself in a group. I always thought I wasn’t “pretty enough” to hang out with “that crowd.” If I’m being completely honest, I cared too much about what other people were thinking, and that held me back from a lot of really cool opportunities to get to know people who were different from me and most likely thinking the same as me.
Let me tell you about my team’s special friend from Suubi House named Cathy. Much like Vanessa, she is a special needs child (but not nearly as hindered as Vanessa is). As the month has gone on, it has become our team’s prayer to really have a heart for Cathy because she can sometimes be very difficult to deal with. She drools the equivalent of a full cup each day she’s here. She goes nuts right about the time we’re all settled and relaxed after lunch. We don’t know why, but it’s been like clockwork this past week. Lunch ends and Crazy Cathy comes out. It’s easy for me to get very frustrated and want to give up on Cathy when she gets like this, but today was different… I took her outside, knowing that she likes to swing.
Honestly, I think Cathy just needed special attention. As soon as she got on the swing it was like I was seeing a different Cathy, or maybe my heart was being softened for someone like her. Instead of feeling the frustration from moments before, all I could muster up to see was beauty in who Cathy was with her beautiful white dress on, swinging back and forth, shrieking in pleasure and excitement, making noises like the birds in the trees, and getting scared when the dog came around. Cathy has fears, feelings, and needs just as basic as anyone. She is human, alive, and deserves just as much attention as someone who is deemed as “normal.”
I guess the point I’m driving at here is that just looking at Cathy or any special needs child, you wouldn’t see them as immediately beautiful. But after taking the time to get to know them and spend time with them, you eventually can’t help but look at them and see the joy in their smiles and the unique pieces of their living, beating hearts that make them just as human as you or me.
I want to encourage anyone who is reading this to step outside their comfort zone and really seek someone who might be different. Listen to them. Take the time to really see them for who they are instead of pre-judging them and placing them inside of a box. If you find them frustrating, be patient. The Lord teaches us things even within our frustration and misunderstanding.
How many of us are missing out on amazing opportunities to minister to people because of the way a person looks on the outside or because of their social status? How many of us are holding back because we are afraid of the way we will be perceived by other people, afraid of judgment? (This is something I’m working on and trying to grow in, so I’m asking myself these questions, too!)
I have been convinced for a really long time now that if you look at a person long enough who is not necessarily the “most beautiful,” they become beautiful the more you take the time to really see them for who they are. Try it sometime, you won’t be disappointed, I promise.
His,
Ashley
