“I Want to Look Like You”
by Marilyn Ehle
**What does your ”inner wardrobe” look like? Would you like to talk about that to someone? We invite you to share with us. One of our Women Today e-mail mentors will respond to you personally: http://christianwomentoday.com/chat/askus.html
“I urge you to imitate me” (1 Corinthians 4:16). “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:12). “Consider the outcome of (your leaders’) way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).
After refreshing her cup of coffee, my always-stylish friend returned to our table with a chuckle. When I asked the reason for her amusement, she replied, “As I passed a nearby booth, a woman said, ‘I want to look like you! Not just your clothes…I want to look like you when I’m your age.’”
Whether joining me for our regular Monday morning meeting at a favorite restaurant or cleaning out the garage, Anne’s wardrobe is “together.” Her finances are minimal so I know her clothing is not from the exclusive stores on the north end of town, but she always somehow knows how to dress—whether the outfit is casual or dressy. On this particular morning she leaned toward the former: jeans, sandals, black tee and oversized white shirt. And a straw hat perched on her short, stylishly cut white hair.
But my seventy-year-old friend possesses much more than an innate talent for putting together the right clothing. It is her “inner wardrobe” that sets her apart, the quality that draws people. Anne spends much time in the Word, seeking to always obey what the Holy Spirit reveals. She devotes herself to life-changing prayer, prayer that includes her family, friends and their concerns, her church family, the broader Christian community, her country and the world. While reading the newspaper or hearing media broadcasts, she prays for people and events. She is well read, well informed. She attracts people not only to herself but to the Jesus she loves and follows.
The Apostle Paul was bold to say, “I urge you to imitate me.” While recognizing his human tendencies, he also knew that, when controlled by God’s Spirit, he could relax and allow that Spirit to produce life that could be imitated. What an affirmation of God’s work within us when someone says, “I want to look like you!”
~Lord, you know that too often there is little family resemblance between me and You. Please remind me to dress my spirit as well as my body each morning and thus draw people to Your beauty. Amen.
In Second Peter 1:5-7, list the qualities that we should be adding to our “spiritual wardrobe.” (Read the verses in several translations, perhaps locating them through the Bible Gateway web site.) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201:5-7;&version=65;
Questions: Which of these characteristics is God making more real to you? Specifically pray that He will work in your life to produce these characteristics.
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/marilyn-ehle/
Tags: affirmation, attracts, imitate, informed, prayer, wardrobe
12 Responses to ““I Want to Look Like You””
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marilyn,
thank you for the devotional. today my ‘inner wardrobe’ is spiritually ‘tailor made’, but it wasn’t always that way. I came to the Lord not that long ago. the new look from within has others asking me, ”how did you do what you did cause you look wonderful, but something is different that we can’t quite pin point”. for the few that actually wanted to know, i explained that i have found the Lord and He has given me new life, salvation. my spiritual growth is like that of a toddler learning to take that first step. i know i belong to the Lord and there is no turning back. i saw a reference of being a caterpillar and struggles within. i am that caterpillar struggling. its then that i turn to scripture, read and listen. God has given me salvation and there is no turning back, only going forward. the gift of the inner wardrobe most certainly compliments the outer one and i am humbled.
Amelia, thank you for sharing your heart. It is wonderful that we are able to be real about our struggles and how on this site we receive encouragement, wisdom and support from fellow believers. May we all learn from each other and may God bless us as we glorify his name.
I too struggled with empty nest last year. Having been a full time mom at home and fully devoted to my children it hit me hard when I was no longer a “hands on mom”. Not only were our children out of home but we also moved to another part of our country and our children were no longer with us. The changes that I expereinced were tough, I struggled for a good few months, crying before the Lord. Pouring out my heart to him, leaning on him, trying to muddle through the confusion in my mind as there were many things happening in our lives at the time. It was only later that I realised that I had experienced grief. Loss of the things that were no more.
The Lord helped me overcome as I pressed into him, the gift it gave me was finding my identity in Jesus Christ. My identity had mainly been in being a mom. Also a wife, a daughter, a friend all the other roles that moms play. When I experienced empty nest it was as if I hit an identity crises.. not knowing what to do with my life, who I was and how to move forward.
I had always taken care of others with little time left to care for me. I have learnt too that as women we need to take care of ourselves, so that we can better take care of others and keep things in balance. That our identity needs to be found in Jesus alone, all else is sinking sand.
I have walked with Jesus for a number of years but since finding my Identity in Christ and not in the roles I play, my faith has grown and my understanding of being in Christ has added wisdom, hope and strength to my being. My family will always be important to me but my identity is no longer found in them. My identity is in Jesus Christ. God has allowed me to grow as a person, to serve others in a different way & he has given me new opportunities in my life which I am grateful for. His grace and mercy have carried me through. The Lord continues to change the weaknesses within me, and I am becoming more rooted in his word.
Amelia as you grow through the letting go phase with your children may you find your identity in Jesus Christ, and allow God to show you how you too can grow as a person and find new things in your life.
It is a process.. I am reminded now of how a caterpillar in a dark and sticky cacoon stuggles within the cacoon, stretching and changing and growing. Alone. Yet all the struggles are necessary to strengthen the caterpillar to be able to push thru the cacoon… and to emerge a beautiful butterfly. Strong with colourful wings and the ability to fly.
May Jesus direct your steps with regards the “inner mess” you speak about. The Jesus I know and have experienced is faithful in dealing with inner mess. He works in ways that are for our benefit in revealing his goodness and love for us – even if we don’t see it straight away. He delights in the journey of the caterpillar to the butterfly – cos it reveals his beauty.
Praying for you. May God shower his mercy and grace upon you and your family.
what a great devotional today it not only whats on the outside but on the inside that counts for the most
sharon
Dear Amelia, I, too, agree with Marilyn’s recommendation to be evaluated medically, as hormonal changes or possibly depression could be at play in your circumstances. I also hope you will let Linda R’s wise reminders encourage you in this new phase of your parenting! I became an empty nester last year, with both of our children leaving our home (our daughter got married, and our son went away to college.) While I do miss the sounds of a bustling home, I am at peace, knowing that our children are where they are meant to be at this time in their lives! We, as parents, have the awesome privilege and responsibility of tending/raising these wonderful ‘gifts’ from God, but, as Linda so wisely reminded us, they are really not ours, but His. Our job is to prepare them for adulthood, transfering their dependence on us to a dependence on God as young adults. Our relationship changes, as it should, and our ‘parenting’ gives way to a developing friendship/mentorship. As our adult children mature, they come to realize the wealth of knowledge, through experience, their parents have! (Sometimes, we have to wait awhile for this! ;) This is a good time to seek volunteer opportunities in the church, or pursue interests that were postponed during your parenting years. But, again, make certain that your health is not contributing to your discouragement and lack of energy. God bless, dear Amelia!
Precious Lord, I join our sister Linda R, in asking for Your tender care and comfort for dear Amelia at this difficult time in her life. You know how much she treasures the children You have entrusted to her, and how those bonds of love are pleasing to You! But, the time comes when we need to give them back to You for Your continued watch-care and guidance, as they make their own way in this world. Please help us to be thankful for the blessings of sharing them with us for a time, for the privilege of ushering them into adulthood with the tools of physical/emotional independence. May they continue on this journey wholly dependent on You, yet drawn to the warmth of home! May our childrens’ changing relationships with us not be a threat of something being lost, but something being found! Grant us Your grace, Lord, to receive this phase of our lives with thanksgiving, and praise You for Your faithfulness in helping us raise our children! Now, we ask for Your wisdom and guidance in being good stewards of our time and gifts in this new season, giving back to You for what You have given to us! We ask this in the mighty Name fo Jesus, Amen!
Amelia, Marilyn’s advise was good, but I would also like to let you know that I know just how you are feeling and what a hard time I had when my boys left home but you know what don’t feel sad, scared, have regrets, feel messed up look at this as a whole new opportunity a new phase of your life, time to do things you were never able to do before. Its not like you won’t ever see them again and Amelia remember they are not your children anyways they are really Gods you are just looking after them for Him, right? If you willingly let them go they will willingly come home for visits, holidays etc. so be happy for their new adventure and Yours too!
Dear Heavenly Father I bring Amelia to You right now, Lord I just ask that You would comfort her at this time. Jesus fill her with Your joy, love peace and just give her a sense of direction and new beginings in her life as the time is drawing near for her children to be leaving home. Lord wrap you Loving Arms ever so tightly around her so she knows and feels You Presence with her daily and just minister to her every needs I pray in Your Holy Name Amen. Hugs, Linda!!!
My desire is to be like Jesus! In word and deep to be him!
I ofteh think of putting on the armor of god aas an outfit! We must not go out with out our spirituall clothes! But put on the righteiousness of God!
Amelia, may I suggest something that a wise older woman shared in a group many years ago? When she heard comments such as the ones you made, we all thought she would respond with deep spiritual truth, but the first words out of her mouth were, “Go get a physical exam! If the doctor says everything’s OK (including your hormones), come back and we’ll talk some more.” Let me also encourage you to begin gathering all the Bible verses that describe who you are in Christ. Meditate on who GOD thinks about you, and thank Him for His viewpoint which is always more accurate that our own. I’ll be praying.
This is a particularly hard devotional for me today. I am having a hard time with the empty nest syndrome although noone has actually left home yet. They all are just getting older and I feel old, ugly and out of touch with who I really am. I have moped around all day. I have tried to read scripture but I hear only my own voice, I am usually not like this at all, please pray for me. I have poured my life into my kids and now that they are growing up I am messed up with inner stuff.
This is a perfect example of why we should never even think we want to be anything other than what our Heavenly Father made us to be. He made each and everyone of us to be specail and unique. He gave us all gifts that we have the choice to use or not. The appearance on the outside often speaks of the love or pain on the inside. I know that I myself have said “I would love to look like that woman” only to catch myself wondering what problems might come along with that look. The only wardrobe I want to wear each day is the armor of God. I want to reflect in my appearance what I feel in my heart. It will never go out of style, is always warm and inviting and is able to withstand any evil force. This wardrobe will bring victory into my day as I praise the Lord and try to be Christlike in everything I do. Blessings to all the women reading this devotional . In His Love….Karen
As a younger woman living in the Bay Area, California, it is really hard to present the gospel with my life because of all the pressures to be ‘radical’. It is definitely my prayer that God would continue to use me, even though I still need a lot of those characteristics talked about in Peter.
But the good news is, he will! Because that is the Papa we serve! :)
Thanks for the devotional. That is my desire, that others would see Jesus in me and want to emulate my walk with the Lord. I feel that as an older woman, Paul tells us in Titus that we are to teach the younger women to love the Lord. But it is imperative that as older women we develop a more intimate relationship with the Lord each day so we will reflect God’s love in our lives.
Thanks again, Marilyn.
What a beautiful devotion!thanks Marilyn. My desire and prayer every day is to be like Jesus indeed.