I’m standing here in front of the mirror. Counting lines and frowning at the number. I quickly stop myself from frowning, knowing that will only add to the sum of these unwelcome parts.
And while I’m left wondering when and where the next will show up, I remember someone from long ago….
Years ago, there was a beautiful woman in my life.
But she would never grace the cover of any magazine.
Her face was more wrinkled than any I had ever seen at her age.
Deep creases marked the entire surface.
She smiled continually, which highlighted every crack and shifted every crevice to new places. She laughed easily, crows feet reaching to laugh lines.
Crinkled velvet. Soft and loose to the touch like a well-loved blanket.
And, to me, she was breathtakingly beautiful, as if her soul were peeking out through every indentation.
I didn’t have the privilege of knowing this lovely being when she was young, before life had its way with her, body, mind and soul.
But I had the distinct honor of enjoying what time had left in its wake.
Circumstances, joy and pain, gain and loss created something so intensely beautiful that it leaked through every pore of her wrinkled skin.
She looked like wisdom.
Love.
Gentleness.
Understanding.
Forgiveness.
In the war of life, these were the survivors that remained, alive and well, more vibrant than ever.
Her hugs melted, soothed, spoke volumes without a word.
But when her words came, when that gloriously marked face spoke, wisdom poured out like liquid gold.
Every syllable was wrapped in love and the understanding of life and human nature. Her advice was gentle but to the point that she knew was too important to dismiss.
Every encouragement that made its way out of that crinkly velvet face went not only to the mind, but continued straight to the heart, where it would nestle down and stay. Tucked away for future use and purpose.
I have no idea what credentials this woman had or how many degrees or lack thereof existed on her resume. But it didn’t matter.
Because what she gave to the world around her wasn’t learned in a classroom or from a textbook.
She didn’t just possess knowledge. She had attained wisdom.
A lifetime of lessons, of the ups and downs of circumstance, of great joy and deep sorrow, that not only marked and softened a face, but marked and softened a soul.
A soul that was willing to share that wisdom with those who would listen. A soul that had KNOWN life and lived to tell the tale in a way that would benefit others.
I still see her in my mind. Beautiful as ever.
I have lost contact with this dear soul. But her lessons of true wisdom, selfless giving and tender interaction will forever grace my heart.
And as time is showing itself now on MY face, I can only hope it has also done to my heart and soul what it did to hers.
Wisdom in the cracks.
Love in the lines.
Understanding in the crevices.
Beauty through a life.
James 3:17 – But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Proverbs 31:30 – Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. (MSG)
Colossians 2:2-3 – My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
