Sparkle on the Inside
By Tricia Goyer
 “How do I look, Mommy?” My three-year-old daughter gazed up at me with big brown eyes, anticipating my response. With her curly hair and sweet smile she looked like a perfect angel to me.
“You look beautiful today, honey.” I pulled her into a squeeze. “But your joy on the inside is especially sparkly this morning. After all ...”
Leslie joined in as we said the words together, “... what’s in the heart is the prettiest part."
1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, ... instead it should be that of your inner self.” Because we live in a world obsessed with physical appearance, it’s important to teach children the importance of inner beauty at an early age. (Especially when we ourselves struggle with this concept!)
It’s easy for us to remember to comment on our child’s outer beauty. (They are adorable!) But also remember to praise traits such as kindness, honesty, and obedience. Admiring these things will show your toddler which actions allow inner beauty to shine.
Later that same day, I watched my daughter “draw” a picture to share with a friend. The sparkle of joy in her eyes hinted at the love in her heart. It was true beauty indeed... and I let her know.
Tips For Emphasizing Inner Beauty
- Admire a sparkly heart and good attitude.
- Use a mirror to show your child the loveliness of his smile and the brightness in his eyes, the inner beauty coming out.
- When your child seeks a compliment about her physical appearance, also compliment a kind action.
- Pray with your child each morning asking God to give him a sparkly heart that loves others.
- Remind your child that she’s a special creation designed by God, unique instead and out.
- After you read a story, compare the characters. Who showed inner goodness and who did not?
- Finally, be an example of inner beauty for your toddler, modeling the concept: What’s in the heart is the prettiest part!
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