Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle
Encouragement and Inspiration for women choosing to rise above the “just survive” mentality and instead set their mind on thriving in all that they say and do. The ultimate goal is to equip you to pursue whatever is excellent in the midst of your ordinary life and in all that you say and do.
Whatever Is Excellent with Leanne Tuggle
32: Is Beauty What We Chase, or What We Cultivate?
Beauty isn't some elusive standard we chase—it's woven through our very design as image-bearers of God. Are you caught in a cycle of comparison, always feeling you fall short of some impossible ideal? What if true beauty radiates most brilliantly from a heart transformed by grace?
We journey through the layers of genuine beauty in this soul-stirring exploration. Starting with inner radiance, I share the unforgettable story of Helen whose wrinkled face housed the most captivating beauty I'd ever encountered as a child. Her eyes sparkled with divine light, her words saturated with scripture—a living testament to beauty that deepens rather than diminishes with time.
Scripture offers us a transformative perspective through passages like 1 Peter 3:3-4, which redirects our focus from outward adornment to "the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit." Yet this doesn't negate caring for our physical selves. Stewarding our appearance—through simple skincare routines, thoughtful dressing, and healthy habits—becomes an act of gratitude rather than vanity when our motivation is excellence for God's glory.
The beauty conversation extends beyond our bodies to the spaces we create. Our homes can reflect divine values of order, rest, and hospitality. Small acts—clearing countertops, eliminating clutter, introducing fresh flowers, creating soft lighting—transform our environments into sanctuaries of peace that bless rather than impress others.
Every time you choose truth over trends, presence over performance, and peace over perfection, you become more radiant with the kind of beauty this world desperately needs. As Isaiah 61:3 promises, God gives "beauty for ashes" as we fix our gaze on Him. Where in your life—your soul, body, or space—might God be inviting you to reflect more of His beauty today?
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What is beauty? Is it the quiet strength of a woman who walks with God, whose words carry peace and whose eyes reflect grace? Is it the glow of skin kissed by morning light, or the scent of a home where love has lingered? Beauty is not just seen, it is felt, it is remembered, it's lived. It's in this way we rise each morning and choose joy in the way we nourish what we've been given our hearts, our bodies, our spaces. It's not perfection, it's presence. It's not comparison, it's contentment. Today we're talking about beauty, the kind that starts in the soul, shines through our countenance and settles into the corners of our homes. Let's rediscover beauty inside, outside and all around, the way God designed it to be. I'm willing to bet, at some point in her life, every little girl dreams of being a beautiful princess, or even the bold and beautiful heroine. And then, as the years pass, that little girl becomes jaded as beauty by the world's standards becomes something that feels harder and harder to grasp. And yet beauty is all around us. When God created the world, he went out of His way to make it beautiful and lovely and good. Beauty is less about vanity and more about reflecting the glory of God. 1 Peter 3, three through four says don't let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart, the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God's sight.
Leanne:Years ago I went on a field trip to a nursing home. The homeschool group I was a part of sang Christmas carols and then we stayed to visit with the residents afterward. And I remember one woman named Helen who I had the privilege of speaking with for the majority of my time there. Helen was in her nineties and, as you can imagine, she was considerably wrinkled and she even sat in her chair a bit hunched over, and yet her eyes sparkled. I can't quite explain it, but she was stunning. She had this glow about her and listening to the stories about her life was simply enchanting. It was clear after just a few minutes of talking with her that she loved the Lord. Her words were drenched in scriptures. Eleven-year-old me was mesmerized by this woman and I couldn't stop thinking about Helen. Even though the world would not consider her lovely, especially at her age, she was exquisite.
Leanne:True beauty begins in the heart. It is cultivated through time spent with God, through humility and love. Galatians 5, 22 and 23 says but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I like to think of these as markers of what is often referred to as inner beauty. One of my favorite Bible stories is found in the book of Esther. I love how Esther was an ordinary girl who was chosen to be queen, and not because she was the most outwardly beautiful although I think she was very beautiful but because her inner beauty, her love for God and her heart to serve others shone so brightly. In fact, the Bible tells us that when it was her turn to appear before the king, she did not ask for anything except with Hegai, the keeper of the women suggested.
Leanne:What a wonderful example for us today of beauty that shines from within. This kind of beauty comes from a relationship with God, that quiet confidence and security that is knowing who he is and therefore who you are as His beloved. This beauty reaches past the reflection in the mirror. It's a glimpse into the loveliness of your soul. This inner beauty, I think, is cultivated through spiritual disciplines. I think is cultivated through spiritual disciplines, things like prayer, reading your Bible, worship, gratitude. It's easy to think of spiritual disciplines as like chores or obligations, something you have to check off your list. But what if, instead, they became part of the intentional care for your soul? This inner beauty is often formed in this stillness, in consistency, in time spent with your Savior, and then, through the years, you become someone who shines with peace. You radiate something deeper, something truer, just like Helen.
Leanne:Proverbs 31, as we've talked about before, is often quoted, and I do love the reminder and this standard of a woman of excellence, and the verse that I think we hear a lot comes from Proverbs 31, 25. It says she is clothed with strength and dignity. She can laugh at the days to come. I feel like that's on t-shirts and mugs everywhere. And while we talk about the inner beauty of the Proverbs 31 woman and we could talk about that all day long I like the reference in this verse to her clothing, to her outer appearance, because caring for our physical appearance is a way of honoring the body God gave us. Yes, inner beauty is so important, but I think there is value in taking care of our outer appearance. There is something powerful about setting an intention to get ready every morning You've heard me talk about this before To wash your face, maybe to put on a smidge of makeup and to thoughtfully pick out your clothing for the day. This is a simple way to take the next right step, with excellence and for the glory of God. Not for vanity or comparison, but for joy, creativity and stewardship.
Leanne:Personally, I am a big fan of taking care of the beautiful skin that God has given you. If you have known me for any length of time, you'll know that to be true To follow simple routines that enhance your natural beauty and embrace the features that make you unique. I remember when I was younger, I wished that I could have straight hair, especially as a teenager. I think the trend of that time period was like sleek, straight hair, and the curly, frizzy, thick hair that I had was just annoying to manage and try to tame. And then I got to college and I learned that my type of hair was what other girls actively sought after. I don't know, maybe the trends changed, but suddenly the hair that I had was what everybody wanted. Very often the thing that you look in the mirror and despise is the thing that another woman is praying for, and despise is the thing that another woman is praying for. So, as we talk about outer beauty, let's leave the comparison out of it and instead choose to celebrate our beauty at every age and stage by caring for what we have been given well.
Leanne:A simple routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing is a great place to start when it comes to taking care of your skin. Maybe add in the occasional exfoliation and your skin will literally be glowing. It doesn't have to be complicated, just taking care. I find that moving my body every morning and drinking plenty of water helps keep me motivated and healthy. Simple makeup that plays to my favorite features also inspires me to smile more. I feel my best with a swipe of mascara, maybe a dab of blush and some pretty pink lip gloss. And some pretty pink lip gloss. It's that creativity piece, and when I feel my best, I find that I love and serve others more abundantly and with more patience and grace.
Leanne:If we're being honest, this is what can happen when you choose to steward your appearance well and you don't have to go all out to feel your best. You can, but you don't have to Consider your season of life and your current circumstances and find a balance that leads you to contentment and away from comparison. Stewarding your outer appearance is about being intentional, and it is still for the glory of God, not for the glorification of self. Now, when we consider beauty that is all around us, I love this verse from 1 Corinthians 14, 33, for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. You don't have to walk very far in nature to see and marvel at all of the intricacies of creation. Every week, I like to take my children to a nearby forest, and even though we are there so often, we always find something new to delight in and admire. And it is easy to see, through a simple study of his creation, that God values order and peace and rest. What if we allowed our spaces to reflect those same values? How can we intentionally bring rest and joy into our homes and therefore enhance beauty that is all around us into our homes and therefore enhance beauty that is all around us?
Leanne:One of the first things that causes me to feel stressed or anxious in my home is clutter. When things start to pile up, perhaps due to a particularly busy season. Whatever the reason may be, I know that when those anxious feelings start to surface, a brief declutter is usually in order. There are so many ways to do this, too. Like you could take a garbage bag from room to room in your home and throw away anything that you don't need or donate it that's also good or grab your laundry basket and gather all of the things that are not in their correct places. You could even turn on some music and set a timer for like 15 or 20 minutes and then invite everyone in the house to pick up or put away the things that are out of place. You can make it fun in that way.
Leanne:One piece of advice that I gleaned from a more seasoned homemaker was regarding the benefit of keeping your kitchen island or countertops clear, and she was so right. My eyes need a break, and clearing off this catch-all space in my house made such a huge difference. I also find, especially after Christmas, how much I appreciate simple decor. There is definitely some value to minimalist decorating. I know it's not for everyone, but I also think that we could all benefit from perhaps less trips to home goods or Hobby Lobby and maybe repurpose more of what we already have. Again, it's a lesson on contentment and not about comparison.
Leanne:Ultimately, I think it is safe to say that home is where your people feel safe and free to be themselves. Your family feels loved and cared for in your home. So creating a peaceful environment is what you want right. Last season I talked about the art of hospitality and letting our homes be a place to bless and not impress others. Romans 12, 13 says Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Perhaps you can check in with your family and see what things make them feel safe and cared for and loved. Reflect on the things that you find beautiful all around you and that bring you joy. When you, as the primary home waker, feel relaxed and peace-filled, your home tends to feel that way too. There is beauty in the ordinary Fresh flowers in the kitchen to inspire creativity. Soft lighting in the family room to encourage cozy reading and time spent together. Tidy corners to promote peace and calm.
Leanne:I hope you feel reminded today that you are already beautiful in the eyes of your creator. The way you laugh, the way you serve, the way you bring beauty into your world, it all matters. Beauty is part of your design, as you were made in the image of God. So maybe beauty isn't something that we chase, maybe it's something we cultivate gently, daily and with the Lord, in the quiet moments when no one sees, as we meet Him in prayer and as we open His Word and let us wash, and let it wash us clean, as we let go of hurry of comparison and of the world's loud standards. Beauty is born there, in the ways that we care for what we've been given our faces, our skin, our bodies not out of vanity but out of gratitude. A holy kind of stewardship. A holy kind of stewardship. And in our homes, when we light a candle or fluff the pillow, clear the clutter, make space for peace, for joy, for presence, even that becomes an offering of beauty. And here's the promise that is captured in Isaiah 61.3. He gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a faint spirit that we may be like oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified. So may you walk away today remembering this. You are thoughtfully and meaningfully designed by the creator of all beauty himself, and every time you choose truth over trends, presence over performance and peace over perfection, you become even more radiant. The world needs your kind of beauty.
Leanne:To close this episode, here is a verse to meditate on and a question to ponder Psalm 27, 4. One thing I ask from the Lord. This only do I seek that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. This verse reminds us that the most transformative beauty comes from gazing at His beauty. When our hearts are set on Him, our lives become more radiant in return. Radiant in return, and something to ponder this week. Where in my soul, body or space am I being invited to reflect more of God's beauty?