Makeup

Posted on by

Scrolling through Instagram tonight I saw a post by Sadie Robertson on fear. Fear of wearing clothes, the opinion of other people, and it brought to mind the thought of makeup. I was washing my face and took a picture that the world would never see. I was removing all my makeup, and the picture was taken right after. I had mascara smudged around the edges of my eyes, the remaining spots of highlighter still decorated the sides of my face, my eyebrows were a complete disaster, and still I saw beauty. Not outer beauty, but I could see the light of Him burning bright, the simple delight that always lingers in my eyes. In fact, my outer appearance was that of a disheveled girl. I’d just taken a walk in the rain, and my messy bun was even messier, any loose strands of hair were now damp and curly from the humid air, and all of my makeup had been washed clean. Every flaw was made clear, every blemish shown. Someone glancing at the photo may only notice the mascara running down my face, and point out the highlighter still at the corners of my eyes, but I notice the scattering of bumps along my cheeks and nose, the uneven filling of my eyebrows, the way they’re simply untamed. The thing about girls and their image without makeup is that only they pick up on their own flaws, and only notice the places where makeup isn’t. The people on the outside looking in, see a girl with life flickering in her eyes, the faint twitch of a smile playing on her lips bare of lipstick. And most likely you’ll compare yourself to her. I’m not the ideal girl.I don’t have a flat stomach, I’m not athletic in the least, and although I have blonde hair, it’s quickly turning brown, and quite unruly. I have blue eyes, but in the winter they turn grey. I have braces, and love books more than boys, and I seem to be one of only five other girls like me in the whole world. But still, I smile, keep my chin up, and know I am wonderful and can be accepted without make up.

Girls, there’s this social experiment I’ve been doing and honestly I find my results shocking. I participated in theatre at my school and being a part – time homeschool student, quite often I didn’t wear makeup. Then there was a day I knew I needed to wear makeup – photoshoot day. A cameraman comes, on a day during practice, and takes single photos of every one of us cast members and the tech members, so I wore makeup that day. I was complemented by many of the members just because I put on a bit of mascara and lipstick. No highlighter (I hadn’t learned that trick yet ;)), just a simple bit of makeup and my hair had been straitened. Compared to some of the other girls, I was woefully barren of makeup. I’d chosen a neutral pink lipstick, and simple bronze eyeshadow that added a shimmer to my eyelids more than anything else. This isn’t for me to brag on myself, this is for me to share how most- I say most for a reason- of the world sees makeup. When I came back the next day, I went unnoticed again. Of course, I was only ensemble, and didn’t go to the full five day school, but I only ever missed one or two practices, and made sure I did my best even as a background character. I knew the steps, the songs, and happened to be the only alto who knew the correct harmonies as a Lioness (the play was Lion King).

This whole makeup/no makeup thing has happened to me one other time, a party, where we were all dolled up, and then, I was noticed. I was wearing more makeup than I’d ever worn- which still could be a light amount compared to other girls- but the cooler, more modern girls in my class who’d never have hung with me on a regular basis took note of me. This is all to say that makeup should be used to bring out your best. Bring out your eyes, color your lips, add anything you’d like, but keep it simple. Life’s not a beauty pageant. I find the most beautiful girls are the ones who wear little to no makeup. Find the thing you love most about your appearance and work around that. Be modest, keep it discreet, but work it girl! Because with the Lord by your side, and lipstick in your back pocket, you can move mountains. The Lord always sees your inner self, the one with the scars from the past, and the glimmer of hope that’s always with us. The light that shines brightly within you, acting as a beacon to others, He sees that and he must be sitting up in heaven going, “Gosh I did a pretty good job with her. She’s been through a lot, and will go through so much more, but I will never leave her side.” because he loves you and cares for you. So trust his decision to put you here on earth.

If makeup just isn’t your thing, that’s awesome. If it is, and you love spending the time it takes each day to look like a celebrity, please don’t let my post tell you to change that. Heck I play with my makeup a lot since I’m trying to find ways to keep up with the changing fashion trends and not look like a makeup stand barfed on me, and quite often I hear my mom say, “You have too much makeup on. I like the look, but it’s too much. Your eyes are too dark, your highlighter is too much.” and, I’ll have to remind her that it’s only for play. Then she’ll smile and say, “You have been getting better at your eyeliner, though.” and I’ll think back to the five different times I ended up jabbing myself in the eye in order to get the perfection that is my wobbly eyeliner job. Find your groove and use your God given talents to take the world by storm. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and always look people in the eye. No matter how young or old, they’ll be startled when a gorgeous girl stares them down, trust me. 🙂 That’s all for now, and I’ll leave you with this verse that you’ve probably heard a million times through…“Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7. And that is so true. No matter your looks, no matter your clothes, God only sees your heart, and the beautiful creation that is you. We, as Christians, should start living as God did. With a servants heart, and an eye for inner beauty. Next time you see someone who looks like they’re having a hard day, complement them on something. Their shoes, their hair, anything. I promise that both of you will leave feeling joyful.

And That’s a Wrap

Posted on by

     Today was my last day as a middle schooler. My 8th grade year was so fun, and I have so many memories from the past school year and my four years at the school itself. Sure, I’m excited for summer. I get to go on vacations with my family and share adventures with my friends! But gosh darn my 8th grade year was good. Yes. I said “gosh darn”. My class was amazing, I mean we were like a big, huge happy family, and we practically were the kings and queens at the school (course, the high school seniors probably felt the same way). But like every family or kingdom, we had our moments. Nothing big, just minor drama that often happens in middle school. This just goes to show that nothing is perfect. While we a have had the ideal class relationship, we did have bits of “you did this” or “she said that”.  That being said, I cried today. A lot. I cried in front of my class, I cried in the car home. I probably looked like a huge baby, but hey, anything good and worth remembering is okay to be crying over, right?

     Looking back, my school really did teach me a lot, and not just in the academics, but how to lean on God, and be confident in yourself. Well, it put me on the journey to become more self confident. I’m halfway there. I’m confident and happy with my physical appearance, but still trying to find my hold in how I show myself to the world. Yeah, I got my quirks, I’m a book worm who loves to look cute, and I know I’m not perfect. I’m stubborn and passive aggressive. Being self confident also includes speaking up for yourself, and that’s something I’m struggling with. I don’t like hurting people’s feelings, its something I’ve been on the receiving side of too many times, so I don’t speak up when I’m bothered or hurt by someone’s actions. I just figure “Well, I’ll just suck it up, that’s life. I guess I didn’t need that anyway.”, and I go on with my life and day. Wow. Okay, gotta bring it back in. Sometimes when I write, I go on autopilot and just put down anything that comes to mind.

I feel ready for high school now. It’s actually pretty funny how God works in your life. If you were to have asked me three months ago if I was excited for high school, I would’ve said something along the lines of “No, I’m going to a new, big school, and I’m scared, and I’m leaving all I love behind. I’ve heard I’m going to have five hours of homework, and I’m already starting in on an AP class that’s the main reason kids drop out from the magnets!” Then would’ve almost started crying. Now I’m all like “Woo! 8th grade was fun, but hey! now I’m a Baby Brave and it’s time for me to focus on the following step in my journey with God in life.” God totally helped me change my attitude and look at Boone as a challenge to myself. What I’ve challenged myself to do, is that over the next four years, I make Boone my mission field. In whatever I do, on a day to day basis, I shine God’s love and glory to everyone. I don’t expect it to be easy, but then again, that’s why it’s called a challenge, and it’s one I’ve been waiting for, for a really long time. Just remember, that as we go into the strange new territories in life, like high school or a public bathroom, God is with us every single step of the way, and if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us?

Labels, Hogwarts, and People- it’s a great mess.

Posted on by

Lately, I’ve rekindled my love and pride for Harry Potter and my Hogwarts house. Yes. I’m a Harry Potter fan. No, you ar never too old to love a good fiction story. For those of you wondering, I’m a proud little Hufflepuff. But this post isn’t to rant on my Hufflepuff obsession, it’s actually to share an analogy I’ve recently made. I used to be ashamed I wasn’t in Gryffindor. It was the house every one wants, right? But isn’t that also like girls these days? They want to be the popular and brave ones? It’s actually quite funny at how much the description of a Hufflepuff pinpoints my personality. We badgers are described as “loyal and hard working”, we stick up for each other. If you’re sorted into Slytherin, you aren’t evil, you’re ambitious. If you’re in Ravenclaw, you aren’t stuck up, you’re logical and bright. And hey, if you’re in Gryffindor, you are the ones who suppress fear to do the right thing. Yes. I just compared character traits to a fictional story. Get over it.

In this day in age, we tend to put labels on people. Yeah, the Slytherins got a bad rep, but reps can be redeemed and changed. Girls, don’t let anyone tell you you’re dumb, or can’t do something- unless it’s a cop, then you should probably listen. No seriously though, you can be whoever, whatever you put your mind to.

Through God, my family, Harry Potter, and too many other fictional friends to count, I finally understand who I am, and though I’m still searching for more of my “people”, we all know what I’m talking about, I’ve become more sure I’m my faith and friends. Over the years, God’s made it quite clear what friendship really is. The ones who’ll stand by me, catch me when I’ve fallen, and will slap me when I’m being stupid. I hope you know who you are, because girls, you are near and dear to my heart. Our adventures I’ve shared with you, whether it’s to the movie theater (yes, that’s an adventure, I stepped out of my pjs and into the real world!), the mall, or a surprise sleepover, are truly special. So, whether you’re a Gryffindor or a Slytherin, a Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, hold your head high and know you are a friend, child, and warrior of God. And if you don’t like the label someone gave you, crumple it up, and write a new one. Galatians 6:4 says “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” This is so true. Become sure in yourself, and take pride. You are unique, and if someone makes fun of you, or you become an outcast, they may be jealous, because there’s something about you that they want. Maybe it’s the way you shine God’s glory, and whatever that may be, share it.

Hope and Give Glory

Posted on by

We’ve all heard the saying “blessing and a curse”, right? Well, quite recently I’ve come to understand what that phrase really means. About 5 months ago, Dad lost his job of 14 years with no warning. Though we still had a paycheck coming in the next week, it would only sustain us for a little while. Questions were asked about “How to pay the next bills?”, or “Will I stay in private school next year?”. And, of course, I jumped to conclusions, asking if we were going to lose the house, or if we were going to sell and move again. I really didn’t want to move again. Still seeing the curse? So was I. Well here comes the miracle.

Dad hated that office. He hated most of the people in it, and was at a dead end in his career. He’d climbed to the top in his little office, and the next rank was boss, which wasn’t about to happen. Vacations were hard. He loved them, but always dreaded coming home and going back to work. He lived in the future, worrying about what was to come, rather than living in the moment, and enjoying the time spent with Liam and I.

I guess you could say being fired was really the best thing that could happen.  We saw a happier Daddy, one who smiled more, and laughed often. He spent more time with Liam and I, (I guess that was by default, he didn’t have a job!) and for the first time in 14 years, we had a new sensation in our family. Something called hope. The definition given by the world, for hope, is; a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. It almost seems like the world is making hope out to be a synonym for longing. As if hope is a thing for suckers. I disagree. Because, when God is added into the equation, the definition suddenly changes to this; a confident expectation based on trust in God. I think that sounds a little more like the hope I’m familiar with.

So, what does this all mean? It means we started our own business.Yeah. Let that sink in. Mom and Dad had considered this idea 14 years back, but had decided against it. And, they’d regretted it. Now, they had the chance to start new, a fresh page, and… we hesitated. What if this fails? What then? All Dad’s life, people had been shooting down his ideas, and teaching him he was worthless. His boss did it, his childhood screamed it, so doesn’t that mean its true? NOPE!! “What if it succeeds? What if you finally get a financial break, or at least a chance to put force behind your dreams!” our friends called. But we still didn’t believe we could do it. So, asking God to lead the way and show us the right path, we prayed, asking for job offers. But God kept sending us signs to start our own business. Friends would call and encourage us to start, or share their stories of success and compel us to drive forward.

Well, three months later, we’ve applied for our LLC and were made official. MacDonald Insurance Agency was born. So far, this seemed like everything was going fine. We gave all the glory to God, and we’re still pushing forwards. Four months later, we have contracts signed and deals set with multiple insurance providers. Yeah, things were going great. Now, almost five months later, two insurance companies are officially partners with our little agency, and as our agency grows, so does our hope of a better future.