“I know
you heard me blow that recess whistle, girlfriend! Don’t make me walk out there
in three feet of snow!”
“Mrs.
B, someone clogged the toilet.”
“Ahhhhh,
who dumped a glass of water all over my curriculum book that costs a small
fortune?!”
Or in
Bangladesh, “Girls, stop screaming, it’s just a cockroach. Ahhh, don’t throw
your desk at it! No, boy, don’t pick it up!”
Yes, I
am a teacher. I love my babies to death, but boy do I need to put on my
lipstick each day.
“Wait,
are you saying this lipstick will make me joyful?” No, my friend, it absolutely
has no power to make you joyful. So if it will not cause you to burst at the
seams with joy, why am I calling it “Joyful Lips”? To answer that question,
travel with me across the oceans to a small air conditioned room in beautiful
Bangladesh.
I was
sitting in a cozy circle of women soaking in wisdom from a guest speaker. This southern
sister radiated love from her charismatic presence. One phrase she shared has
stuck with me over the years, “Put on your joy like you put on your lipstick!”
Muster
up a smile? No. Fake it until you make it? No. Hide behind a pretty painted
lip? No. Joy is not equivalent to happiness. We will not always be happy, and
rightfully so. We live in a fallen world. There is pain and sorrow, and there
is beauty in acknowledging and embracing that. One of God’s most powerful and
captivating creations, in my opinion, is a transparent woman. I praise God for
these ladies in my life! Even during seasons when happiness is fleeting, I am a
daughter of the King of glory. I am redeemed and set free from my sin! That
truth strengthens me with a deep, unshakeable joy within my soul. Oh yes, that
is nice, but then the crazy of life happens and I need to have a little chit
chat with Jesus and my soul. Sister, I need to preach this truth to myself
every day! It’s all about renewing and saturating my mind in truth, every
morning. Hence, I need to put on my joy like I put on my lipstick.
Will
LipSense make your heart burst with joy? No ma’am. Are you beautiful without
makeup? Gorgeous. Really, you are. My hope is that this little peak into my
heart will be a reminder to you of your precious worth and God’s grand story in
your life. We can be joyful women, not because of our makeup, but because of
our Savior who loves us with an unconditional, everlasting love. Lipstick is
just a fun way to remind us of this reality every day. Whether you only like
makeup occasionally, or like me, you enjoy dolling up, let your joy and
exquisiteness overflow from a relationship with the lover of your soul.
LipSense makes me feel great. We
are made in the image of God and therefore get to partake in His beauty. Though
there is no power in the wonderful tube of goodness, it is a reminder to me of
the powerful King within me who has purchased my joy and calls me to choose
that joy each day. Girl, I definitely don’t remember this lesson every time I
put on my lipstick, but He brings it to mind just when I need it. LipSense
boosts my confidence and, from time to time, sharpens my focus. Therefore, put
on your joy like you put on your lipstick.
