Compliments

I do not price compliments about my physical appearance very high

Until this moment I didn’t have an answer to the question “Why”?

I’ve finally realized why

I’ll tell you

They’re pleasant to hear

They make me smile but only for a while

I do not value such compliments because when people speak of my physical appearance particularly my face

They speak of something outside my reach

They speak of something I cannot see

When I look in the mirror I do not see the beautiful eyes that you see

When I look in the mirror, I do not see how the gap between my teeth is attractive

When I look in the mirror I do not see how my nose is the perfect size according to some.

What is a perfectly sized nose anyway?

I’m blind to those external features

When my eyes hit the mirror the only thing I look at is my soul.

I look at how much I’ve grown

I look at how much good I’ve done

I look at how much investment I’ve made in myself

I look at how much of Gods words I have obeyed

I look straight into my heart.

When people compliment my intelligence

When they compliment my words

When they compliment my actions and gestures

They’re complimenting that which is within my reach.

I did not work for the beautiful face you see before you.

God gave me that for free.

It’s like one of the talents he spoke of in the book of Matthew.

Dwelling on a talents worth at the time it’s handed to you is lazy.

What matters is what you have been able to achieve with that which was given.

What matters is what you have been able to nurture and grow with the seeds God put in your hands.

And so compliments about my work is what I value.

My best compliments are compliments about my heart… my soul… my spirit.

I dare say this is rightly so.

Sinmisola NY.