I spent hours preparing for this night. I bought and returned multiple dresses for the occasion because one was too small, one was too big, one didn't look right. I didn't have time to go shopping to try on dresses, so I ordered them all online and sent back all but one. The gown I finally decided to wear arrived from Amazon a few hours before the event, but it was two inches too long, so my 9-year-old and I labored an hour hemming it by hand. It was 4 pm, and my dress was ready. It fit, it was the right length, it was the right style, and most importantly, it didn't make me look fat (at least when I sucked in).
The next hour I focused on my hair: curling, rolling, twisting, pinning, spraying, re-pinning, re-twisting, re-spraying it until it looked like the perfect updo to go along with my elegant gown. Next I had to dust off my makeup because this was a formal occasion with a fancy dress and a pretty hairstyle. At least some eyeliner, mascara, bright red lipstick, and blush would match the outfit and hair! Lastly, I put on my lotion, perfume, body spray, accessories and found a nicer-than-usual purse to carry.
My husband noticed that I looked nice, so we carried on and went to the ball. We had a great time and the night was over all too soon. But on our way home, I took the opportunity to ask my husband again how I looked. Why do women feel the need to ask our husbands how we look? It's not that I doubted myself. It's not that I felt fat. It is simply because when women make the effort to look amazing, we like to be noticed by the special man in our lives.
This is a vain post, but it is something that we as women deal with all the time! Sometimes women just get tired of trying so hard. Why do I exercise every free moment I get? Why did I buy a new dress? Why did I spent too much time doing my hair and makeup? Why do we suck in for our selfies? Why do we keep our lips hydrated? Why do we keep our feet moisturized?
Usually I have a resolution by the end of my posts. The only Bible verse that comes to mind is: "Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised" (Proverbs 31:30). So maybe next time we should spend all those hours reading our Bible studies and praying and doing mission projects. That matters more in the long run and likely will make us happier. But I think that even God understands that women need affirmation when we work so hard to be attractive.
Liz, you are beautiful and your effort was noticed by me! You were absolutely stunning in that red dress, sweet friend! I can be very self-conscious of how I’m perceived in looks and actions. It’s a struggle for me not to want constant affirmation that I look good or even just “ok”. I appreciate your post and thoughts and agree filling our hearts and minds with Christ is a much better use of “getting ready.” Love you!
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