Oct
18
2013
Lipstick
Posted in Daily Living 4 Comments
Anyone who knows me well knows that I like to wear lipstick.
I have my favorite color at my dressing table, in my purse, and in my desk drawer.
Every woman has her one thing that she will not go out of the house without.
Lipstick is mine.
I will quickly put some on after dinner, before I answer the door, and throughout the day.
It just brightens my face…or so I think!
As my hair started to gray, the more I needed my lipstick and my scarves!
It is just part of who I am.
Harmless, unless it interferes with a college visit.
We took our youngest daughter on a visit to her perspective college earlier this week.
She had a 10:30 appointment with a professor in her area of study.
The day before, I was going to fill up my car with gas.
Our grocery store accumulates gas points that give you a significant discount per gallon.
I had 80 cents off per gallon and drove a bit further to take advantage of the offer.
I scanned my grocery card and the screen said, no points available.
An older woman next to me had the same thing happen to her.
She asked me to help her because she knew it was wrong.
We were both perplexed and tried to find someone in the little booth to help us.
Through darkened windows a girl attendant poked her head up into view.
The points expired on Saturday, was her curt reply.
That was three days before.
I left because I was not in dire need and wanted to go to my regular gas station.
I totally forgot that we were driving an hour and twenty minutes the next day.
The morning arrived and we needed to stop and get gas for my car.
My husband got his coffee, so he was fine with our stop!
We were driving in two cars, since we were bringing our son’s car to him.
He goes to the same college where our daughter is now applying.
My husband pumped the gas and we started to leave.
I reached in my purse to get my lipstick and it was not there!
I asked my daughter in the seat next to me to search around my purse.
It was not there and I did not have time to look on the floor of the car in case it fell out.
I called my husband who was driving in front of me.
I have to stop at the drug store before we get on the turnpike to get some lipstick.
He knows me well by now.
He needs his coffee; I need my lipstick.
Ok, was all I heard on the other end of the phone.
I was sure he was glancing at the clock as he said it.
We pulled in to the parking lot, able to see the turnpike…so near yet so far!
I rushed in, looking at him in the space next to me.
There was nothing he could say.
He’s been married to me for too long!
I go to a department store to buy my lipstick, so I had no idea of what color to choose.
I knew to look for shades of plum or rose.
I found one that I tested on my hand, bought it, and left the store in less than five minutes.
My youngest daughter sent her sisters a few texts, explaining Mom’s latest fiasco!
They will NEVER let me live it down!
My husband will not join in with that teasing.
He has been married to me for too long.
We were behind a bus and a trash truck before we stopped for gas.
My drug store stop added another five minutes to our time.
We pulled into the college campus three minutes after our scheduled visit.
I had called admissions as we exited the turnpike to let them know we were running late.
I didn’t tell them why!
My family will never let me forget my lipstick incident.
Most women would understand what I did.
I only stopped because there was a drug store right before the turnpike entrance.
I now have my extra tube tucked away in a different part of my purse.
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
(1 Peter 3:3,4)
Ironically, when we got home later that day I found my lipstick.
There was a hole in my purse lining and the lipstick fell in there.
I would have never found it with a cursory glance in the car.
Was it vanity or “necessity” that made buying the lipstick so important?
Do I consider the inner beauty of my life more than the outward appearance?
I always hope that my smile is the first thing people notice.
Most importantly, I want them to see Jesus in me.
I pray that my smile points them to Him and the joy of the Lord that is my strength.
I guess my lipstick is not such a bad thing after all!
Without a doubt your smile is what I always saw first when you walked into the office. You have no idea how meaningful that was to me on many days. And yes, I am sure it is something that comes from your peace within. How fortunate for those who cross paths with you.
Thank you, Karen.
It is nice to always get a smile back…and I always did from you!
Gina
I can totally relate. I have the same issue when it comes to lipstick and will not be seen without it. I know that it is really your inner beauty that truly counts, but it is much easier to let my inner light shine and share it with others that may not know Jesus when you have bright smile. When we look good on the outside, we feel good on the inside.
Marcella,
Kindred spirits…you and I.
You DO understand!
I couldn’t have said it better than you just did!
Miss you friend.
Gina