The Most Beautiful Bag I've Ever Seen

A few summers ago I walked into a department store and saw the purse of all purses. Oh, let me tell you, this bag was the mack daddy of bags! It was the biggest, grandest, most beautiful Coach bag I had ever seen. I asked the sales associate to unlock it from its case. This bag was so expensive and grandiose it needed to be put behind glass walls! The sales associate mentioned that she was told in a Coach training school that if you were ever lost in the desert, this bag would certainly be all you would need. I was very impressed (tickled pink, really) and asked her the question I was avoiding.

"How much is it?" I squeaked.

She told me the price just as my husband, who has a gift for great timing, approached the counter. He kindly told the woman no thank you and started to pull me away. Yes, pull, as in drag my body away from the store with my heels digging into the floor.

"Can you hold the bag for me?" I yelled back. Of course she could.

For weeks all I could think about was that purse. I would go to sleep and wake up thinking about how amazing this purse would look with my outfits. I even dreamt about it one night.

One morning I was having my quiet time, and as I was praying I heard God whisper to my heart. He said, "I don't care if they GIVE you that purse, you can't have it." Excuse me, God, but did you just tell me I can't have that purse? That beautiful, amazing, mack daddy purse I might need if I'm ever stuck in the desert? Yup, He sure did.

The truth was, I didn't see how a purse could be such a big deal for God, but the more I prayed, the more I understood. My thoughts had become consumed by that purse. I had been spending more time obsessing about a simple accessory than I had obsessing about God.

I tell you this story because I want you to know that it's NOT all about what we wear or don't wear. If your heart's not right, if your relationship with God is suffering, then no matter what we put on, we aren't that beautiful.

Friend, our inside and our outside matters. God says so. It's time to learn how to care for our outside appearance, not in an ostentatious kind of way, but in a sensible, easy, do-it-yourself manner.

That's why I do what I do. Read more of our posts, scour the YouTube channel, or enroll in the Style by Color Academy. I want to make it simple for you to develop your personal style so you can flourish in your purpose (and maybe help others to do the same!). I promise it will be worth every minute of your effort!

Shari Braendel is the founder & CEO of Style by Color. Her vision is for every woman to be impacted by a Style by Color Certified Consultant, someone who helps her build confidence, discover her signature style, and pursue her God-given purpose.