Life Lessons in Love and Lip Gloss

Sometimes the best way to learn life lessons is to eavesdrop on a conversation. Especially if that conversation involves a petite 5-year old with the highest pitched voice one has ever heard.

“Do you want some lip gloss?” Her similarly high-pitched friend asked her from the back of the car.

“No, I don’t like lip gloss.” She answered, matter-of-factly.

“Why not? Lip gloss is pretty.” Said the friend.

As if considering her statement, she paused, then answered.

“Well, I look really good without lip gloss, so I don’t need any.”

And I just smiled.

If I hadn’t been more pleased with her statement, I might have exhorted her with a little lesson in humility. But I was just too thrilled that she thought she looked good enough without a greasy, bubble-gum flavored substance caked on her lips to comment.

I sent this same petite 5-year old with the highest pitched voice ever heard to school this week for the very first time. She proudly entered the large brick building, wearing her backpack securely on her tiny back. She walked with my hand in hers, unaware that her presence makes her mama’s heart nearly palpitate out of her chest. I was glad she didn’t know how much I didn’t want to let her go. Thankfully, she showed up to her first day of Kindergarten with enough confidence for both of us. Between the sight of the backpack and the thought of sending my child through the doors of the large brick building, I was fresh out.

You’d think that I’d be used to the first day of school by now, after sending two before her. But it’s just one of those life things you just never get used to. At least, I haven't.

Like any mom, I want a lot for my baby girl. I want her to be safe and feel secure. I want her to be liked, and I want her to be accepted. I want her to be more than I have ever been…have more than I have ever had…and love more than I have ever loved. And I want her to know some things that will matter much more to her in the future than whether or not she looks good in lip-gloss. In sending her to school this week, I have been reflecting on some of these things I want her to know. Here are a few of my “life lessons in love…”

~Who she is…is not what she looks like.
She is beautiful, but not because God gave her the prettiest hair I have ever seen. She will never be more beautiful in her life than when she is serving God. And that will not require her wearing a certain type of shoes or a really cute pair of sunglasses.

~Who she is…is not what she does.
God may lead her to become a wife and mother one day. Maybe she’ll teach school or become a professional pianist or decorate homes or be a church secretary. But those are just ways she can fulfill a life call. They don’t make her who she is. God took care of that at her conception. She is His beautifully created daughter. Period. End of story.

~Who she is…is not what someone expects her to be.
She doesn’t have to say yes to someone when she really means no. She doesn’t need to think gaining someone’s love means compromising who she is or what she feels or thinks. Her value is not measured by the influences of others.

~Who she is…is good enough.
She was purposefully crafted…lovingly designed…and is dearly treasured. Her worth is immeasurable to a God who cherishes her every thought and movement. She is good enough without winning trophies or ribbons or tiaras or awards. Those things have nothing to do with who she is.

I don’t want her to think she has to wear lip-gloss to be pretty. I know as she grows older, it is nearly inevitable, but I wish it weren’t so. I know she may…at some point…believe what society tells her about her worth and value. I know she may spend time trying to please everyone around her and think it has to be so in order to be loved. I know she may sometimes forget how important she is and that she is cherished and treasured. But I wish it weren’t so.

How about you?

Did you wake up today knowing that who you are has nothing to do with how you look? Do you understand that working harder and trying better doesn’t make you an important person? Are you living with the mindset that the only expectation you have to live up to is the one that says you are to love God with your whole heart? Do you know in the depth of your soul that you are good enough, just because of your Heavenly heritage?

If not, then maybe you are in need of a life lesson in love from the Heavenly Father. The One who doesn’t expect your perfection because He knows you can’t deliver it. The One who doesn’t ask you to work harder, just love Him more. The One who values you immensely, loves you intensely, and pursues you wholeheartedly.

The One who thinks you’re beautiful, even without your lip-gloss.

Now there's a life lesson in love.