Do You Think I'm Beautiful....Chapter One

It is like a scene from a sitcom. My husband paces at the door. An occasional “Are you ready yet?” rumbles back to the bedroom where I am preparing for a big night out. My darling spouse threw on a pair of pants, grabbed a shirt, sniffed his armpits to assess the need for deodorant and maybe brushed his teeth. That’s it. He was good to go.
The lovely gathering of friends we are anticipating caused a slightly different response in me. I tried on every outfit I own and disqualified most of them. Last year’s bell bottoms—too dated. Tan slacks—pleats starting to pull. Slinky red skirt—gasp! Visible panty lines! Plaid skirt—too short. White dress—no way. It’s way past Labor Day. Can’t wear the open shoes because I haven’t had a pedicure. Don’t dare try to pull off the orange knit without a body smoother.
All of this went on a week before the event. Once I decided on an ensemble, it had to be laundered, pressed, de-linted, and properly accessorized. Scarf or necklace? Hoops or studs? Flats or pumps? And I was just getting started.
Men have no idea the pressure we face any time we step outside the door. We have set up a strict code of behavior for ourselves and each other. Why would we be so consumed with how we and our fellow females present ourselves to the world? I think we do it so we can check some rules off before departure and by following those standards have some kind of confidence.
I may not be super model thin, but I have concealed with a tube of Lycra the lump of fat that squishes out from under my bra. Just like I am supposed to. My hair might be a ball of frizz, but I have coated each strand with moisturizing, volumizing, de-kinkifying gel. Check. Thick ankles run in my family, so I wear dark hose with matching color shoes to create a long, lean look. Okay, now I can face the world.
In chapter one of Angela Thomas’ book, Do You Think I Am Beautiful?, she talks about our deep need to know we are beautiful and Who can fulfill that desire. The boost we get by following the do’s and don’ts is short-lived. All it takes is a broken nail, a run in a stocking or a stray glob of lipstick on the teeth to undo us. The compliment we long to hear doesn’t come from the whistles of construction workers or even a “Wow” from our husbands.
It comes from the One who designed us and sees every wrinkle, every zit, every bump of cellulite. Angela Thomas takes us on the adventure to find the source of our confidence and security. To know finally and for always that yes, we are beautiful.