My Bling Purse

I like bling.  Sparkly.  Shiny.  Girly.  Sequins.  Pink.  ......all that fun stuff....

However, despite my love for bling, I don't usually find myself wearing much of it.  Bling is loud...attention-drawing...bold.  Me?  I'm not so loud...not so bold...and I really don't like the attention on me.  I love bling...but my personal jewelry collection has always been very conservative.  I would often see others wearing the jewelry I loved, but then would always assume it would never look good on me.  I guess you could say that I often admire bling from afar.

Until recently.

The last few years I have broadened my horizons.  Those who may remember, years back, I NEVER wore dangly earrings.  I never wore bracelets.  I only owed small and dainty rings and necklaces.  I guess it's been since I started making a lot of my own jewerly that I have found a love for more "blingy" items. 

...and then a few weeks ago I saw the purse.  Yes....the purse.  And I know what you're thinking....yes, I AM about to draw a spiritual application out of a purse.....

The purse...

Pink.  Sparkly.  Sequins. 

I instantly gravitated towards the purse.  My daughter was shopping with me and did not hold back as she exlaimed her extreme disgust for the purse I was considering. 

I held it up to the mirror next to the purse rack and tried to envision myself carrying the purse.  ...and though I loved it....it just seemed too bold for me.  I mean, could I actually see myself shopping at Walmart in sweatpants and carrying a pink sequin purse?  I might feel a little crazy doing that...

So I put the purse back.  Instead, I settled on a less flashy purple purse....which, I might add, my daughter ALSO hated....(tough!  I bought it anyway!)

But you know, as much as I like the purple purse.....I have found myself wishing I had the boldness and confidence to carry the pink sequin purse.  I regretted not buying that one.

Well, lo and behold....this weekend while shopping with my husband....guess what I just happened to find on clearance???????????????????????????????????

YEP!  You guessed it!  The pink sequin purse.  I found one left.  AND to top it off, I had a 30% off coupon.  I could spend just a few dollars and get the sequin purse that I had wished I bought. 

But you know, as I once again held it up in the mirror, I still had a hard time envisioning myself carrying the purse.

Is this really me? 

I mean...I knew it was me....deep down inside, I love this purse!  But could I really show that side of my personality to everyone around me?????? 

As I started to put it back on the shelf, I realized something.  I realized that everytime I look at the purse, I smile. 

Now that may seem silly.  But it's true.  The pink shiny sequins make me smile.  You know why?  Because that's the real me. 

And I started to think.....why is it that we often hide who we really are? 

Why do we wear masks?  Why are we afraid to let others see us for who we really are?

We are each so very special because God made us that way.  He made us unique....each with our own talents, abilities, personalities.....and when we hide who we are, we are hiding the masterpiece that God has made in us! 

I often find myself shying away from situations where I need to be bold...loud....as I know that I am quiet.  I often use that as an excuse and hold myself back.  But you know, God has made me to be more than just a quiet person who hides her true self.

Whatever God has made you to be......let it shine!  Be the wonderful person that God hand-crafted you to be.  Don't let your feelings of what others think of you dictate how you live your life.

It's time.  Pick up your "blingy" pink sequin purse and move ahead confidently knowing that God made you special!