Make Up

I was sitting in the parking deck this morning applying my daily "war paint." I'm not real big on wearing make up. I wear a little base, some blush and mascara and occasionally I will put on eyeliner. I don't wear lipstick very often and eye shadow is most definitely rare. I have never been big on make up but that's just me I guess. I see women whose faces are just flawless and I think they look beautiful but I know if I walked around like that people would wonder what in the world I was up to.

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But, anyway, I was sitting there applying the little bit of make up that I wear on a daily basis when I got to thinking about what I was covering up. I have a few freckles that tend to annoy me so I try to apply make up in those areas. I have a scar above my lip that I try to mask a little bit too. As I applied the blush I carefully lined my high cheekbones and turned my head from side to side trying to make sure it was applied evenly. As I brushed the mascara over my long eyelashes I noticed that I was holding my mouth open and in the most contorted way at that which made me giggle at myself.

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As I finished applying the "war paint" I jumped out of the truck and all but ran into my office because I was running late, naturally. That seems to be my theme lately. A day late and a dollar short! Sorry, I guess I need to stay focused here, huh? (haha) As I'm speed walking into the building almost sprinting I'm on the phone with a friend of mine and I'm listening to her talk and I'm thinking about make up and then as I enter the door the reality that is my day hits me in the face.

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I began to think about all the things that I wished I could be doing today instead of being at work. I began to think about all the work that was sitting on my desk that needed to get done and probably should have been done weeks ago. My stomach started to hurt and I just wanted to turn around and walk back to my truck and go home. But, I pushed on through the anxiety and walked into my office. As I rounded up the stairwell I was thinking about my make up and "war paint" and masks when it hit me...God is my "war paint" and through his strength I will make it through this day. I had prayed on my way into work for his strength today more than most days because I did not sleep well last night and I know the only way I was going to make it is with God's strength. So, now I'm sitting here thinking and I find it amusing that I would think that I only need God's strength on days when I'm tired! Gracious am I convicted! I need God's strength EVERY DAY!

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"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes...put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground...Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..." Ephesians 6:11-18

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There is absolutely no way that neither I nor you can make it through each and every day on our own. It doesn't matter what sort of mask or "war paint" we put on. If we don't put on the full armour of God then we are doomed. Oh Lord forgive me for thinking I can do this on my own!