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When my three children were young, it was a challenge to keep track of where they were at all times. My husband and I baby proofed the house as best we could, used gates and did our best. I’ll never forget the day that Preston and Kennedy were accounted for in the playroom, but Hunter had wandered off. I called for him, but got no response.
Curious, I headed for the front staircase and listened for his little two-year-old voice. I checked his bedroom – no Hunter. I checked Preston’s room – no Hunter. I checked Kennedy’s room – no Hunter. By now, my heart was racing and I was growing concerned. As I headed into my bedroom, I began to hear faint noises from the master bathroom. Our bathroom mirror gave me all the information that I needed… Hunter had gotten into my red lipstick.
It. Was. EVERYWHERE.
I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry.
He was unaware of my presence as he continued his creative red-lipstick artwork on my walls and on the linen closet door. I quickly crossed the threshold of the bathroom door and confronted my little chubby-cheeked, red lipstick-all-over-his-face boy.
And you know what he did?
He hid his scandalous red tool behind his back … thinking I was none the wiser.
As. If.
I asked him what he was doing. “Nothing,” he said with his lips – although his face and my bathroom clearly said otherwise. In my best trying-not-to-laugh mommy voice, I asked him a series of questions and he continued to deny any wrongdoing. Gah!
This sets my heart to wonder … how many times have I’ve gone before the Lord in prayer holding a tube of red lipstick behind my back? How many times have I – and do I – think I’m pulling one over on HIM?
Just as simply as I saw the tangible evidence of Hunter’s red-lipsticked face, God sees my heart and knows what I’ve been up to. He knows what we’ve all been up to.
He sees invisible heart matters like pride, anger, and bitterness.
He sees un-forgiveness, un-confessed sins, the habits we cling to, the shows we watch, the gossip we speak or listen to, the private texts and conversations that are happening on social media, and the books we read that don’t honor Him.
He sees our failures, every last one of them, and lovingly invites us to allow Him to clean up the messes we’ve made. The only thing God doesn’t see is our sins that have been forgiven. Even when you and I fail God, His love and faithfulness never fails us.
The Bible calls you and me to a higher level of living. A higher level of holiness: in Christ.
“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Before the messy sins and secrets in our lives can be cleaned up, our red lipsticks need to be tossed. We all have them, you know.
Take a moment to search your heart.
What’s your red lipstick today? Are you ready to hand it over to God?
Dear God,
please forgive me for the things in my life that I’ve kept from You or try to hide from You. You deserve better from me. Help me eliminate everything in my life and in my heart that “contaminates my body and spirit.” I want to reflect Your holiness.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Consider the red lipstick(s) that God may be calling you to toss aside. Seek Him in prayer and toss away! Ask God to strengthen your faith and to purify your heart, then swing by the wall of my blog and say, “I tossed my lipstick!”
A few years back, after praying about my constant need for restoration and forgiveness, I wrote and recorded a song called “Restore.” I’ve posted the song on my blog today. As you reflect on our lipstick toss, listen to the song and let it lead you to a response of worship.
Today’s post is an excerpt from my book Broken Into Beautiful. Every step of forgiveness begins with the heart of God. If you’d like to learn more about how your brokenness can be transformed into a picture of God’s beauty, get your copy today. To order the book go to Amazon or, for a signed copy, visit my web store.
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Comments 57
I am tossing my red lupstick. Glory to Our Saviour.
I’m tossing my lipstick.
In reading your blog post I realized that I was holding one of those tubes that goes on invisible and shows its color later. In all of my pain from the loss of my marriage and my entire nuclear family–my parents and my only sibling–I was writing my story of grief in my red lipstick and not allowing God to strengthen me and allow myself to focus once again on God and our journey together. Thank you for showing me that even if others are unaware of my self-destructive behavior, He is and He is waiting for each of us to ask for forgiveness and renewal in our souls.
Your post was so uplifting, thank you for taking the time to write.
I toss my lipstick ?Now please pray fhat the habit and stress I hang on to that now I have the strength and faith to give them over to God to handle.
Blessed by God,
Kathy
I tossed my lipstick ? praise God!!
Through the help of a devoted council I am learning to rid myself of my red ?,
Thank you for you devotionals every day, With prayer and the girlfriends I am getting stronger in the love of God. Your song is beautiful.
Praise God!
I tossed my lipstick!!!! I ask GOD to please keep it!!!!
I tossed my lipstick!
I’ve tossed my red lipstick!
Tossed my Red Lipstick!!!
I tossed my lipstick and am so thankful that my God is a forgiving God .
I tossed my lipstick
I tossed my lipstick.
I tossed my lipstick!!
I tossed my red lipstick. Loved your song.thank you
I tossed my lipstick…
I tossed my lipstick
“I tossed my lipstick!”
I tossed my lipstick…:)
Tossed that Red lipstick
I am tossing my red lipstick for forgiveness. Some pain and hurt lead to me feeling like I can’t forgive. I know forgiveness is for me not the person or persons that cause the hurt. I am taking it day by day to forgive and move forward.
“I tossed my lipstick!”
I TOSSED MY LIPSTICK THANK YOU JESUS FOR RESTORING ME!!!
I am tossing my red lipstick. Letting go of hurt some very deep hurt. It seems to only hurt me the most. I forgive them Lord. I turn it all over it you. Help me be more Christ like and forgive. I pray your arms of protection around Aliyah. I love her so much and want her to be a good Christian girl and love you. Help me to set and show your love through me.
I am tossing my red lipstick!!
I tossed my red lipstick tube ( many of them )
I’m tossing away my red lipstick(S) today and praying to the Lord for grace to live a life of holiness & praise.
Thanks for your encouragement. More anointing on your ministry.
I came across the girlfriends in God by accident and I have really been trying to be more devoted and faithful so I signed up for daily emails and I am so glad I did. Your song was amazing and truly touched my heart I am still crying. God knows all the loss I have endured and I understand why but I struggle with praise and worship since I lost my fiance this past June and have a 15 month old baby boy. My fiance helped me to find God and we truly enjoyed church together and the activities and volunteering. God was a big part of our lives but since he passed it’s been hard. I’m trying but I feel I am falling short. Thank you for this devotion. I’ve tossed my lipstick!
I am tossing one shade of red today, and asking God to help with more. Loved the song ??
I tossed my red lipstick Gwen! My work environment is in a constant state of confusion – from the top down. Just yesterday I was sitting at my desk and a co-worker walked in to speak with someone on my immediate team. When I see her, I just have to breathe… After that internal interaction, I was convicted and said I need to check my heart toward her. Although much of her work practice or lack thereof has caused many challenges with our team and the population we serve, I knew in that moment that I needed to correct my attitude. What does that look like? I reminded myself to trust in the LORD and lean not to my own understanding. So grateful.
Thank you for the timely message.
I tossed my lipstick . I love your dally devotionals it perks me u after a long drive to work I need prayers for my daughter Jessica to go back to church and find God and put all in his son Jesus name
Thank you for this well written and very timely (for me) share. I’m tossing my red lipstick! I have been holding onto it like a security blanket and your article reminded me that I can be free of this burden! Praise be to God!
I have tossed my lipstick. This devotional reminds me of Romans 10: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
I tossed my lipstick. I was angry at God for my circumstances. My strength has been so weak. Pray for strength and love and healing.
I tossed my lipstick! Praise be to God! Beautiful song.
I’m tossing my red lipstick, thanks for devotion and song bless you
II have been carrying my tube of red lipstick around for 6 months…. And just I’m throwing it away!! It wasn’t working for me anymore to hold on to it!
Thank you for this most needed devotion!!
Good Morning thanks for your devotion I needed this Gwen and yes I have tossed my Lipstick….Thanks be to God. Amen!
Loved the devotional! It spoke straight to my heart.
I have a couple of tubes of lipsticks that I just tossed.
Thank you for sharing your gift!
I have tossed my red lipstick thanks to the healing of the holy spirit!
I am tossing out my red lipstick! Your words and your song Restore truly blessed me this morning.
I seriously had just did tossed my red lipstick! So timely for me, thank you for your ear to hear!
Some people don’t appreciate the changes we make in our lives. Can’t continue along our path beside us when we make them. That hurts!
But God!
Thank you Gwen!
Thank you for your devotional. I tossed my lipstick
I’m tossing my red lipstick
Good Morning Everyone ?
To God be the Glory ~I have tossed my red lipstick ~In Jesus name with the help of the Holy Spirit ~ Amen?
Thanks you for today’s devotion. I have held on to more than one RED LIPSTICK, but today I TOSS THEM AWAY. Please say a prayer for me.
“I tossed my lipstick!”
very powerful message,God bless you!!
thumbs up for the song
Good morning Sister!!!
I’m tossing my red lipstick, thank you for allowing God to use you to shed a light, to inspire your sisters. Your gifts influence many!The quality of your gifts are clearly given by God, and you use them in such an ordained way, today is going to be a great day, thank you for allowing God to use your life as a humble blueprint
I tossed my lipstick! Thank you Lord. I feel so much lighter now.
I tossed my red lipstick. This is my season of love, joy and happiness ! TO GOD BE THE GLORY ????
Good morning Gwen
Thank God for songwriters like you
I’m tossing my red lipstick as I go along life’s journey
God richly bless you!
I tossing my red lipstick!
Glory to God, I’ve tossed my lipstick! Praise God for restoration! God bless each of you.
Thank you for today and the red lipstick I am Restored in Jesus Name. A great way to start 2017 full of Grace and Hope. Blessings
Praise God, Praise God…I’m tossing out my red lipstick Gwen!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing and for the awesome song…truly allowed me to worship Him and get into an attitude of surrender.. Like Tammy I too am praying for all who are tossing with me and know God will uplift and honor our surrender. May all see and feel His presence and power in a new way in 2017!!!
I’m tossing out my red lipstick Gwen!! ? I so enjoyed this article as it helped me see that with God I can toss out those habits that hurt me and have a life that gives praise that all will see. I’ll pray for all those who are tossing with me that we feel the strength of God holding us up while we turn over our earthly struggles with temptations. Blessings for an uplifting 2017.