Day 260 Caterpillars

 

9/17/2025

 "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, 

is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not

made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

2 Corinthians 5:1

 

Each day I read through so many scriptures that I never know which ones will speak to what's on my heart. Anyone who follows me realizes that a lot is going on inside this brain of mine. I never stop thinking. Maybe that's because I never stop praying, and in the circles I travel, there is always much need for prayer. This morning Pastor Jack provided the above scripture from 2 Corinthians, and it is something that I have been fuming about a lot!

Prior to this chapter, Paul is talking about our outward body or man perishing, but he explains that our inward man is being built up day by day. Our focus should be on our souls rather than our physical bodies or appearance. In Chapter 5 he continues to speak of the life we live in our temporary "tents," which seems like a very apt description of the human body as we age. My son is always reminding me that I am getting "thin skinned," and warns that I should be more careful. This is not news to me, but rather than be offended, as some people I know would, I laugh. Recently we had the top ripped off our tent outside where we store our tools and the lawnmower. The heavy rains ripped one part of the top off, and although it is a nice tent over a steel frame, well-anchored into the cement, it is still a temporary shelter. It reminds me that I need to get the little house repaired outside, so that a more durable shelter can be in place against the elements. Although the tent is durable, it has worn down over the last four years. Tents are temporary, as our human bodies are fragile and decaying. 

I've thought about this quite often, as someone I care about seems to think that the outer appearance is more important than what is on the inside, in our hearts. As followers of Christ, our hearts are much more important, although our bodies are the temple of Holy Spirit, so we need to consider how we care for our bodies as well. We do that by exercise, diet, cleanliness and good grooming. We also respect our bodies by the way we dress, by not conforming to the world's view of what is fashionable. A friend said once that if we feel good dressing a certain way that it is acceptable, but I differ, as scripture says otherwise. We are instructed to be modest, not drawing undesirable attention our way. These words may not be popular to some, but after many years of experience and helping at risk kids, please take heed, especially when there are so many more predators stalking young girls. 

I've never been a big make-up user, and what I do use has to be natural due to allergies to products with chemicals and preservatives. In truth, I've never taken a long time trying to look differently from who I am, especially these days. I may slap on a little mascara, but I generally cry it off in no time, because I cry when I pray, cry when I sing, and I cry when I laugh! I am out of control! My poor son thought I was always sad until I explained my tears, but he should know better than that! He grew up with this nutcase! He also knows that this is how I react. Nothing so bizarre about that, or at least that is how I believe.

I know that young girls want to be loved and accepted, so they take more time to look a certain way. I understand, but I really don't think a ten year old needs to wear make up. She's a baby, and most of these kids are naturally beautiful, with full eyelashes and natural glow and color to their cheeks and lips. Why paint the barn if it doesn't need paint? If they stay away from cigarettes, vapes, drugs, and alcohol, and if they don't lie out in the sunshine all slicked up like a basted chicken, then their skin wouldn't age as fast. Trust me on this one. The two photos I have on my Facebook page are taken when I'm in my 50's and 60's. They are not doctored up to look good, but I think my skin looks pretty good. Now, I need a new photo!

And what about these eyelashes? My son calls them "caterpillars," and they really do look like one! By the time the person sticks on that monstrosity and adds eyeliner, they can hardly open their eyes. I squint just looking at them. If it's an older woman, in her 60's, trying to look younger, face plastered with enough make up to cover a dozen faces, just so she can appear flawless on Zoom or in the news, well...need I say more. I see this all the time. I remember feeling so badly for one pastor's wife back in the 70's or 80's who used so much make up. People made fun of her, as they tel-evangelists, but I felt sorry for her. I wondered why would she feel that she needed to paint herself up so much, when she probably was an attractive lady under it all? Why do older women, especially church folks, wear clothing that exposes one shoulder while covering the other? I even wonder why certain young female artists think they need to cheapen themselves by wearing scanty clothing, when they started out so innocently and pure. This really concerns me, because they are examples for young kids!

I'm certainly not a fashion expert, as my daughter can tell you, but I dress comfortably and modestly. I don't invite trouble, even though at my age I doubt that's a problem. I still wear skirts to church on Sundays and when I go special places. I love skirts! I haven't worn a bathing suit since my children were young, and my skirts are longer, mostly because I like them that way, but once you're a victim, it makes you more cautious. Not that I was ever carefree, but things happen in life to make us more attentive.

These days people are confused about their gender, and it saddens me that so much evil in this world makes young people think they are never good enough, or confused as to who they are or why they're here on this earth. This kind of thinking is fed into them at an early age, then as they get older, school does it to them. Why can't a child be a child? No one even plays outside anymore. They are hurried to grow up in an ugly world. This burdens my heart. It hurts me, because there are so many distortions, deviated behaviors, and darkness. Jesus is the only answer. He brings light, and His light can dispel all darkness. But we have to get the word out, and we have to teach our children that they are beautiful and perfect in the sight of the God who created them in His own image for great works.

So please, remember our life here is brief, and regardless of whether we like it or not, we will age, and face changes, but it is not the end. It is just another season, but if we care for ourselves, as God intended for us, it's not bad. The part of all of us that is important is our inner self, beliefs, and our heart. The most important things is Jesus loves you, this I know, for the Bible tells me so! Now that's a profound statement to live by. So share it! Live it!