A WORD FOR TODAY, March 27, 2026
Peggy Hoppes
We pray you have been blessed by this daily devotion.
Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, March 27, 2026
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, WEB
Audrey Hepburn’s favorite poem was “Time-Tested Beauty Tips” by Sam Levenson. She read this poem to her children on her last Christmas Eve. The fact that this is her favorite poem shows her character and her beautiful heart.
“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 fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone ... People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. 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 true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!”
Audrey Hepburn is my favorite actress of all time. Her simple beauty and soft-spoken nature lent for wonderfully deep and paradoxical characters. Though she seemed weak and fragile, her characters had amazing strength and power. Though she most certainly used cosmetics, her classic beauty seemed so natural. When asked if she had any personal beauty tips she answered, “If I had them, I’d make a fortune. But I know what helps: health, lots of sleep, lots of fresh air, and a lot of help from Estee Lauder.”
Those simple tips are often forgotten in our world where there are so many options for creating a beautiful image. Too many women, and some men, are turning to plastic surgery to reshape the face or body. You can even have make-up tattooed permanently. Diets and exercise are followed not for health purposes but to create the “perfect body.” In this digital age, it is easy to change our looks with just a few clicks of the mouse. Few today would consider the timeless tips in that poem truly valuable advice. As a matter of fact, some of the most beautiful women are those who have the least beautiful character.
Just as we confuse beauty with the cosmetics, we also confuse happiness with what is visible on the surface. We assume that the people with the big, pretty houses are happy. We assume that the people are blessed because they have fancy cars and everything they could possibly want. Yet happiness does not always mean blessedness. True happiness is not found in a perfect body or the accumulation of things, but in the realization of our need for God’s grace.
Instead of hiding ourselves under layers of “cosmetic” façade, true beauty and happiness are found deep in the heart of God’s love and is visible in the character of one through whom God’s grace flows. That inward beauty manifests in love. In Christ we are called to love always, to love even when it is not easy. We are called to love our neighbor, to love our enemy, to love the strangers. Love is not just a word, however. Love is accompanied by real action. Love is just, love is merciful, and love is uncomplaining. Love is forgiveness for the big things and the little ones. Love loves always, even when it is difficult. That’s why we live in the love of Christ, since we cannot love without Him.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276.