Proverbs 11:22 – Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion. (ESV)

As my husband and I were sitting in a restaurant enjoying our after dinner coffee, we were able to see the couples coming in for dinner before going to the local high school prom. We were enchanted with the beautiful dresses and all the sparkly jewelry, but our enchantment turned to shock when one very well endowed young woman walked in. The V in the front of her dress ended at her navel with only three very thin straps holding the two halves of the dress together. There was a great deal of “spillage” going on and she had to keep “readjusting”. Then we were given a view of the back of the dress. Let’s just say that we were quite confident she had neither a tattoo nor panties! I don’t believe that women need to be completely covered head to toe with no skin showing at all, but there should be some mystery involved! The most shocking thing for me about the dress is that her parents probably have not only seen it but also spent a large amount of money paying for it. I can’t help but wonder what that young woman will see when she looks into a mirror in twenty, thirty, fifty years. At this stage of her life she can look in the mirror at her physical appearance and confidently agree with the Psalmist that she is wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), but will she know that God sees her as a masterpiece when the mirror reflects wrinkles, grey hair, some extra curves, and possibly a roll or two? I have been a teen-ager on my way to a prom so I know it takes many days of preparation for a few hours of presentation, but I wonder how much preparation is going into her presenting herself to the Lord. Does she know that God sees more than her physical beauty (1 Samuel 16:7)? Is she aware of 1 Peter 3:3-4? I am not suggesting that God is displeased when we have a pretty hairstyle or wear some nice jewelry, but our beauty to God is not found in hairstyles, body shapes, and fine clothing. Proverbs 31:30 tells us that outward beauty will change but a woman who loves the Lord is to always be praised. I do not know this young woman, will probably never see her again, but I pray for her. I pray that her adorning won’t just be the perishable external but also her adorning will be internal with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:4).