The Beauty of Zits

Used to hate having zits when I was a kid. But today, when the unexpected happened—a festering ziteroo planted on my not-very-teenage face—I got to thinking. (It sometimes takes something drastic like that for the thinking genes to kick in.) Some little bothersome things can actually turn into blessings—way later on, of course.

I mean, think of school. All that homework, peer pressure and misery. But now I have a Masters degree, and can spell (which is more than I can say for kids leaving school nowadays). It was worth it.

Or, take kids. They’re adorable little blessings. And then they grow up to be . . . Ok, maybe we won’t take kids. Poor example here!

But let’s take flowers. You put in lots of effort to plant them, and then voilà—they bloom. Moral of story? Dah! That it’s worth planting flowers of course.

Now, let’s go back to zits (oh, puleeeeeeeeeeez, do we have to?!). Thing is, although I struggled as a teen, trying to cover those wee facial monsters, today I’m thankful for those over-active oil glands. Y’see, most people can’t guess my age. They perceive me to be younger than I am (well, for 102, I really don’t look so bad do I?) That very oil that clogged up the pores now keeps the skin moist and youthful (relatively speaking, that is!)

So, should I be mad I had zits as a self-conscious teen? Or glad I’m now ancient and look less ancient?

I don’t know. But this one thing I do know: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NKJV).

Let’s look beyond today’s zits and into the beauty of eternity awaiting us. (The way it’ll pan out really does depend on how we live our lives today. Saved by grace, but given a chance to be conformed to Jesus by doing the works He’s set before us—Eph.2:10).

Janey L. DeMeo M.A. © February 2009
www.JaneyDeMeo.com
www.orphansfirst.org

Facing the Giants

Facing the Giants – The Power o Belief, the Strength to Win.


I’m usually one of the last to see the latest films – even when friends recommend them. For one, I rarely go to the cinema. Too expensive! Too loud! And often too cold! (Yeah, I’m a wimp.) So, I see movies at home when the DVDs come out. But here’s one I’d go to see at the cinema any time. This has to be one of my favoritist films ever: Facing the Giants.

Wow, what a treat! And what a dynamic story!

Based on a true story, Facing the Giants exudes authenticity. I’ve lived many miracles in my life, especially during our 22 years on the mission-field in France. The kinds of things that take place in Facing the Giants ring true to me. They are so like our God, the great provider and the rewarder of all who diligently seek Him (Heb.11:6).

Facing the Giants unfolds the story of Grant Taylor, and his wife caught up in many hardships. They face conspiracy, poverty and discouragement on every level. Just when things are bad, they get worse. Grant Taylor, the coach for the local high school football team, the Shiloh Eagles, finds his faith tested to a tee. And amidst the difficulties he faces, Taylor chooses not to give up. Instead, he becomes a spiritual mentor to a bunch of boys struggling to find their way in life.

Facing the Giants is a story of faith, trials, building character, integrity, godliness, family, honor – and lots of other wonderful qualities that make for a really fabulous movie. Don’t miss this one. You won’t regret it. www.FacingTheGiants.com.

Never give up. Never back down. Never lose faith.

Janey DeMeo M.A.
Copyright © December 2008
www.JaneyDeMeo.com / www.orphansfirst.org