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Do you know any women who wear crowns of beauty? They are not haughty. They are not pretentious. They are thankful and lovely and peaceful. Being pursued and embraced by God even thought you’ve been to the other side is very humbling. These women walk with their heads held high, yet hearts bowed low in reverence. They speak with the wisdom of one who has participated in the mercy of God, instead of the rambling words that come from those who have only read about Him.

They ache for the lost and rejoice with the found. They cry with the sinners and celebrate with the forgiven. They do no walk in perfection, yet they walk in confidence. They have stood in the dark until God came to the rescue. They have jumped from the platforms of their dreams and felt His strong arms underneath them. They know God is present. They know He is able. They know more and more of the depths of His great love. They know He has asked them to dance. Receiving a crown of beauty turns these women into vessels of God’s grace and mercy.

If you have been forgiven much, you are not so quick to judge anymore. If you have been relieved of your debts, you want to release others from their bondage. If you have been lifted out of the mire of sin, you begin to look for others who need a way out. If you truly know your own weaknesses, you are not appalled by the weaknesses of others. A women who wears the crown of beauty has begun to think and feel and give like the King of heaven. She has truly become an oak of righteousness, a radiant display of His splendor.

The most powerful thing about the woman underneath the crown is that she never forgets where it came from or how it came to her. The crown was undeserved. It replaced the ashes of brokenness and pain. And in the presence of God, this woman lays her crown at His feet, the feet of the Giver, humbly grateful for His love and mercy and redemption, thankful-so very thankful-for the beauty that has come to cover her days.

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