What else?

Gotta love the fairytale theme, huh? I ran across this little strip the other day. I don’t know what it’s from originally, but the same annoying fairytale theme of princess beauty, once again, makes me want to climb a tree and scream. Let’s break it down, shall we? First panel: the “prince’s” revelation:

Nothing like appreciating the inner beauty and complex attributes. The “princess” responds to that original observation…

And now, our enlightened prince is stumped…

To which our princess challenges the fairytale prince…

And our dear prince has such an affirming response to that question.

What else is there? But wait, there’s more. Cue the peanut gallery of popular opinion…

But, not so fast…

Good, good…

Exactly!!! “Beauty is as beauty does.” Ever hear that? In life, we can’t deny beauty’s power. We’re drawn, captivated, motivated and driving crazy by it. We do dumb things for it. Anyone ever been on the cabbage soup diet or wrapped themselves in saran wrap? We roll our eyes and hear “code” for “inner beauty.” Translation? We hear “ugly.” But there’s so much to us as women. The Proverbs 31 Woman is exactly who we are. Do we see it? Check out the scripture for yourself: “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:10-31 The Proverbs 31 Woman answers the “what else” question. She’s smart, honorable, kind, valuable, trustworthy, industrious, thoughtful, multi-tasking, creative, charitable, astute, prepared, wise, discreet and Godly. Whew! Who needs a nap? I know. It’s a gargantuan order; most of us feel we fall short in each attribute. But this is God’s template for who we are. He didn’t create to strive and compete for beauty; He didn’t create us to feel inferior about ourselves. He wants us to experience the joy in discovering the “what else” aspect of who we are as individuals. What does that mean to each one of us? So, look at yourself; see yourself as so much more than the ridiculous fairytale images we’re repeated given. We are incredible!!! Look at yourself, ask God and see for yourself: What else? Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse