You know something I learned while washing dishes and staring at the row of store-bought tomatoes lining our windowsill? They all look the same. They are the same shape, same color, same size, same spherical perfection. If I were to study them, and someone would then mix them up, I probably wouldn't be able to put them in the same order that I had studied them in. They look too much alike.
Our garden tomatoes on the other hand... they each have their own personality. Bug bites, large, small, round, oval, heart-shaped, just-plain-warped, red, greenish, orange, yellow... they're all different. They are unique. They aren't just a bunch of cookie cutter tomatoes, picked at the same time and ripened at the same time. They are hand picked when they are at their prime - twisted or small, it doesn't matter. And you know what? They taste way better than those beautiful, perfect, store bought tomatoes.
I also noted that although our garden tomatoes may have bug bites and be warped, we don't really care. We know what they're made up of and where they're from. We know that as soon as our tongue makes contact with the juicy red plumpness that we'll care less what the outside looked like.
Now, I'm not really a tomato expert, neither am I that fond of tomatoes (I used to sell them because I wouldn't eat them). I can stand them in any form but their whole form. But still, I must admit (with a little sheepishness) that our garden tomatoes far outpass the store bought beauties we are forced to buy when our gardnen's out of commission.
What lesson did I draw from this? I'm sure you can guess.
There's a common notion that people pass along that goes something like, "the beauty's on the inside" or "inside beauty." It stems from the realization that some people may not be beautiful on the outside but they have that winning personality, or the sweet disposition, or an upstanding character. This is the "beauty" that we hint at in those phrases stated above.
I know of several young ladies who have no "knock-out" type looks to speak of and yet they have won a place in my "good lookin' ladies" list. Why? Because they have the "inward beauty of a meek and quiet spirit." Their personalities and characters have made them beautiful. They are the home-grown garden tomatoes.
On the other hand, I know of another set of ladies who may have the bomb hair or the gorgeous eyes or the incredible facial features, and yet lack in the area of inward beauty. And you know what? They aren't on my list of "good lookin' ladies. Why? Because they may be snotty, whining, fussy, rude or even too girlie for me. They become unpleasant to be around and thus their looks mean nothing. They are the store-bought beauties.
I can't stress enough how important it is for girls to focus on those things which are long lasting. Who wants a perfect beauty if she's rotten or tasteless on the inside? Establish your own sense of purpose, your own set of convictions. Let the Holy Spirit do His work on your heart. You may not be perfect on the outside, but if you've been working on the inside, your efforts will start showing.
I'm always disgusted when I see girls trying so hard to look like everyone else. They are just another perfect tomato sitting on the windowsill, unidentifiable when surrounded by their peers. They dress like them, act like them, talk like them. They are those girls that, when you get to know them, you realize it's all skin deep. There's nothing substantial. Just going to a county fair gives an overwhelming feeling of monotony. Surrounded by tan babes wearing as little clothing as possible, sporting a flirty attitude, I rather feel like a sore spot in the crowd. But is that a bad thing?
When we have developed those things that are lasting, namely a godly character and all the wonderful things that come with it, we may look different, yet we have a beauty that no perfect store-bought "tomato" could ever possess. It can't help but shine through. We should take care to keep ourselves well tended, but it shouldn't be an obsession. Rather, it will just be an enhancement of the inner beauty that we've labored for so earnestly. That's the tasty part of the tomato.
And acquire your own personality (be it sweet and kind!). Don't mimic what everyone else does and says. Have your own opinions, your own standards and your own religion. Don't be a copycat. They're miserable to have around.
...And don't be afraid to get dirty! A little sweat didn't hurt nobody (sorry for the bad grammer there... just trying to add to the point). Get your hands soiled, your hair messy, your neck sweaty. It all adds to the character development! :)
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