What is True Beauty?

Audrey Hepburn, one of the most fashionable and beautiful women to grace the silver screen, loved the poem "Time-Tested Beauty Tips." In fact, the poem is often attributed to her, but was actually written by Sam Levenson, and describes the sort of beauty that doesn't come from the right clothes and makeup, but from the character of a woman.

TIME TESTED BEAUTY TIPS

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.

The Bible also teaches us about a woman’s true beauty. I Peter tell us that a woman's beauty comes from her internal qualities and do not fade with time.

"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. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear." (I Peter 3:3-6) In this passage, Peter is not saying that we are forbidden from braiding our hair or wearing jewelry, but that our beauty does not come from external aids. Our efforts towards becoming truly beautiful should be focused on developing a spirit that is full of gentleness, trust, integrity and courage. And that is the sort of beauty that will last through the passage of time.