Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ARTIFICIAL (08/11/16)
-
TITLE: The Truth | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Hudson
08/18/16 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Beautifully made artificial Christmas trees and decorations are already lining our stores. After a few years of use, we can put them in a yard sale in the spring, justifying the purchase of a newer, more realistic looking fake tree! I love the fact that we can buy hanging pine-scented sticks for our trees, to give the house that homey, fresh-cut pine smell throughout the house. Oh, yes. We can’t forget the cinnamon pine cones!
Our humble little houses or mobile homes can be made into spectacular dwellings because we are able to buy brick facades or vinyl siding, to cover what weather and time have destroyed. Again, when these fade, they are easily replaced by a newer, sturdier model or brand. Throw in pallets of newly laid sod and some lovely never-die plants, and we have our own picture-perfect home.
Magazines and posters are plastered with flawless faces and perfect bodies. All of us, at one time or another, has longed to be like those we see in the ads and in the movies. For the most part, if we too had our own personal make-up artists, physical trainers, and most importantly, the coveted ‘air-brush’, we could look very much like those people. Some of my favorite pictures are of these same people when they are caught coming out of the gym or at the grocery store. Amazingly, they look very much like you and me.
There are so many ways in which we are able to cover the truth of our age, our belongings, and our houses. One thing I have found to be true, however, is we cannot hide what is in our heart and soul. Yes, we can smile on the outside, but I believe our eyes give us away every time. It is said that our eyes are the window to our soul. The latest clothing trend or the world’s best make-up can’t hide what comes from within.
I have watched friends and family force smiles at funerals, only to see the grief that has overtaken them as their eyes are filled with tears. I myself know that when an acquaintance asks me how I am, and knowing full well that I am in the depths of despair, I will muster, “I’m fine”, as I purposely avert my eyes from theirs. I know that if they look into my eyes, they will see the pain I feel and will know I haven’t been truthful. But then there are those friends and loved ones that we will answer “I’m fine”, but will look them squarely in the eyes so they can see our pain, and offer the much needed hug and empathy we so desperately need at that moment.
When it comes down to it, we can put on that happy face, display those beautiful never-die flowers, and air-brush ourselves into perfection, but the only thing that really matters is the truth. More specifically, God’s truth. We are trying to live this life, going through the motions of marrying, raising kids if this is God’s will for us, working, paying the bills, etc. It is all important to us, because we are here for many years, and are just trying to do our best with what we have. But if we don’t put the Creator at the center of our lives, it is all vanity, and grasping for the wind. (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11)
God’s truth is all that matters. If we give all of our money away to help the needy, and don’t have love in our hearts, it is pointless. If we wear the finest clothes and live in a beautiful home with all of the newest gadgets and drive the fastest cars, but we don’t have compassion and grieve for those who are lost, life is meaningless. Without this truth in our hearts, we might as well be like my artificial ‘never-die’ plants, lovely for a season, but cast away when our color has faded.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
