"When I Sing, I Become Beautiful"

Several years ago, I saw a made-for-TV-movie about P.T. Barnum--the famed American showman from the 1800's who founded the circus that would later go on to become the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus. I remember very little of it, except for one particular scene.

In the movie, Barnum had heard of a famous Swedish opera singer, Jenny Lind, who had toured with amazing success throughout Europe. Barnum sank every penny he had (and some that was not his) to secure Lind to tour through America, though he'd never even seen her perform.

The scene I remember is when Barnum finally meets Lind backstage before one of her performances. She is small and she is plain and he is clearly shocked at her lack of, shall we say, charisma or star qualities. She recognizes the disappointment in his face and takes him a little bit to task on it. He should have more faith. Appearances aren't always what they seem.

Don't worry, she says finally with a wry, little smile, when I sing I become beautiful.

At that, she walks out on stage. Barnum watches closely and finds himself, like the audience, swept away by her amazing voice. He understands.

I thought of that scene yesterday, as I watched a video clip of Susan Boyle (you can see it here). Boyle is a 47-year-old unemployed woman who decided to compete in the television reality series, Britian's Got Talent.

As Boyle first stands on stage, you can see that the judges are clearly unimpressed. Simon Cowell even rolls his eyes. But, by the time she finishes her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables, the crowd is on its feet and Cowell is smiling from ear to ear.

I rather doubt if the scene between Barnum and Lind actually took place. But there was a piece of truth in it, I think. Even if we don't meet the world's threshold for physical beauty, we can become beautiful by what we do.

God's Word speaks to that, as well. In both 1 Peter 3 and 1 Timothy 2, Christian woman are encouraged to seek the inner beauty of a "gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" and to "dress modestly ... with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God."

If that's the kind of beautiful that's of "great worth" to God, then I know where my focus should be. So, today, I will strive to be beautiful, and it has absolutely nothing to do with how I look.

Congratulations, Miss Boyle.

Comments

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1. Louise from Chicago said the following at 2:15 PM on Apr 14:

Thanks, Ms. Koerner, for reminding us that appearances can be deceiving.

2. Rachael said the following at 2:37 PM on Apr 14:

What a pleasant moment for Miss Boyle the end of her performance must have been.

The appearances thing (not just in the physical sense) can also go the other way around. The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the circumstantial fence, though it can appear that way.

Surface (like maybe from the pictures and information on facebook) or first impressions can happen easily, and when we don't know the people or circumstances deeply, it can be easy to make positive assumptions when really under the surface might lie deep struggles we do not see.

We all know that in our minds, but we can deceive others with appearances, and I wonder if we can often allow ourselves to be a little deceived by the way things seem or by the ways we wish things were.

So how could this line of thought translate to our actions? Maybe in the following:

1) Maybe, internally process compliments received in a realistic sense. We can/should be gracious when receiving them, but internally we could remember that really there's more than what meets the eye, or that they may be saying it based on superficial impressions. Or if the compliment indeed is or can be true, perhaps we should give thanks to God. I suppose it could be good to do that in any case.

2) Remember that while others' lives may look picture perfect, there are or might just be struggles we can't see. It's not necessarily greener on their side of the fence, just as it is not greener on ours. And even if it is greener on their side? Their life circumstances may never be similar to our own, or not at this point in time. We can't necessarily expect or hope that we'll be in the same place as 'them'. We should live lives pleasing to Him no matter what our present reality may be.

3. Stacey said the following at 2:37 PM on Apr 14:

Love it!

Captivatingly written; to the point; culturally relevant and I am so happy I took the time to read this. It encouraged me to look at that adage "inner beauty" in a whole new way. Thank you!

4. Dan Gill said the following at 2:50 PM on Apr 14:

I saw and heard her, and I was moved to tears. What a voice!

5. Ultraviolet said the following at 3:45 PM on Apr 14:

I admit it was moving, and watched that clip over a dozen times...but what if she couldn't sing? Would we still call her beautiful?

Also why is it only women that are being mentioned in finding their inner beauty? What about men?

6. Louise from Chicago said the following at 5:03 PM on Apr 14:

I seem to recall the same was said way back when about Judy Garland during her later years...offstage she was a thin, fragile-looking presence, but once she began singing she took command of the stage with an awesome amount of power.

Comment 5, good point!

7. BDB said the following at 7:04 PM on Apr 14:

#5 wrote:

>>Also why is it only women that are being mentioned in finding their inner beauty? What about men?<<

Perhaps it is more common for this to come up in regards to courage for men.

It might be assumed that the men with the best physical genetics have the best character. But there's a lot of plain-looking guys who distinguish themselves in military combat or other life-threatening situation.

Recently Captain Richard Phillips offered himself as a hostage to allow the rest of his crew to escape. He's a pretty normal-looking fellow, isn't he?

8. MN Angie said the following at 7:27 PM on Apr 14:

Thank you for this article! I was recently getting to know a guy... we actually invested considerable time both together and in writing epics to one another on a daily basis for months. Even though he could tell me a hundred things (literally) that he thought were amazing about me... all of those things didn't overcome my lack of hot-ness and he ended our relationship.

Prior to our relationship I had focused my time and energy on the beauty that is described in God's Word but admittedly having this godly man end things caused me to question the truth of where our beauty is to lie. Thanks for the encouragement that this article is to me. I'm reminded again that the "fine linen" we are to be adorned with is the "righteous deeds of the saints" (Rev. 19:8).

9. Rachael said the following at 8:30 PM on Apr 14:

MN Angie,

There may very well be some guy out there who thinks you are so "hot". Take heart that different people find different sorts of people attractive. My husband has even complimented my looks in a pair of glasses I have that I feel ugly in. What can feel ugly to one can radiate beauty to another.

I'm sorry, though, that you are experiencing this pain.

- Rachael

10. mk said the following at 8:51 PM on Apr 14:

i loved that clip.... saw it a few days ago :). reminded me of another 'britain's got talent' contestant; i think his name was paul, and he worked at a mobile phone shop. and his teeth were terrible, and he was so plain looking, but he moved the audience and the judges to tears with his voice. good stuff!

11. farmer Tom said the following at 9:20 PM on Apr 14:

Great story Heather, mind if I tell one about myself. You reminded me of a funny thing that happened to me one time.

I know that the perception at Boundless is that I am some kind of weird old geezer. Which, is true if you consider 44 old, cause I got the weird part down pat. But, even those people in the real world who know me like to laugh at me, or at least give me a hard time.

I'm big, 6'2" 275 lbs. too much of that in the middle. I wear western shirts, and cowboy boots all the time. I was born in southern Iowa, and for some reason my voice sounds as though I am from southern Arkansas. No one else in my family sounds that way and I can not hear it. Only when I hear a recording of my voice can I hear the drawl. So I look and sound like a fat southern hick. Got the picture.

I also sing. Now for some reason when I sing, I loose the drawl. Proper mid-western TV announcer english when I sing. I can't explain it, that's how it works and I don't know why.

So several years ago, our church was involved with organizing and staffing a men's retreat. Five to six hundred Christian guy get together for a Friday night and Saturday of three preaching sessions , fellowship, food, and physical activities (boating, zip line, swimming, (pardon my use of a swear word golf) and some firearms shooting trap and skeet).

So the guys from church asked me to sing special music before the Saturday morning message.

Now it is my personal policy never to do special music without reading a passage of Scripture related to the message of the song.

So the fat hick with the southern drawl began to read from Job chapter 38

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

9When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

10And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

12Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

15And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

16Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

17Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

18Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

19Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

Then after reading the Scripture I began to sing,

"Our God is far greater than words can make known,
exalted and holy He reigns on His throne, In infinite splendor He rules over all,
Yet he feeds the poor sparrows and He know when they fall.
CHORUS

The earth and the heavens are the work of His hands,
And millions of angels obey his commands,
He guides the great galaxies spinning thru space,
Yet he gave us His Son, as the gift of His grace.
CHORUS

He rides the wild heavens, He strides through the seas,
The high mountains tremble to hear His decrees.
His voice with great thunderings sounds from above,
but to His own children, He whispers His love,

(CHORUS)
His power is great and will ever endure, His wisdom is peaceable gentle and pure, But greater than all these glories I see, Is the glorious promise,
that He cares for me.

"He Cares For Me" Jimmy Owens

Lillenas Publishing Co.

So it went very well, there were only about 350 guys at the morning session, but thats still the biggest crowd I'd ever sung for. Several people thanked me for my special music.

But the one guy who I immediately thought of, when I read your story Heather, was the one that came up to me late in the afternoon, and said,

"I really enjoyed your song today, you didn't sound anything like I expected....."

12. BDB said the following at 12:40 AM on Apr 15:

I saw a recent cartoon, which I know wasn't theologically accurate, but it was still funny.

It showed babies in heaven getting to choose their mother before being sent down to earth. I can't remember all the choices, but they included:

- Extreme hugger
- Fun but disorganized
- Good Cook
- Pretty but mean

13. Nicole (from Boston) said the following at 9:43 AM on Apr 15:

I saw this clip a few days ago on youtube and nearly cried. I made my mom watch it and we both agreed that by the end of the song, one no longer noticed Ms. Boyle's looks. It really is true that the world's definition of "beauty" is false.

And in response to Ultraviolet (#5), I personally have found that guys I know have literally become more or less attractive (at least to me) based on their actions.

14. Eliana said the following at 8:00 PM on Apr 15:

I love that clip and have watched it over and over! It's so neat to see her achieve her dreams--like a movie ending but you know it's real. It reminds me of the verse I Samuel 16:7
"For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."

15. Loris said the following at 8:18 AM on Apr 16:

Farmer Tom, I applaud you for singing in front of people. It takes a lot of guts to serve in that way.

16. IMO said the following at 8:48 AM on Apr 16:

#14
I heard that biblical verse on K-Love in regard to this woman. But how does her singing have anything to do with her heart? And how would you know? I just think the verse is mis-applied.

17. Carrie (the original) said the following at 11:05 AM on Apr 16:

A friend showed this to me last night. I was stunned.

18. BDB said the following at 12:07 PM on Apr 16:

Found the cartoon:

Pick Your Mom! Now available:

A - Won't make you drink milk
B - Home schooler
C - Drinks in Afternoon
D - No Fingerpainting
E - Pretty but Mean
F - Compulsive Hugger

Choose one and GO!

19. BDB said the following at 12:10 PM on Apr 16:

This post reminds me of Johnny Lingo and his 8-Cow Wife.

20. Jenny said the following at 9:38 PM on Apr 16:

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. What a beautiful moment to watch!

And in answer to comment #5, I believe God has given everyone a special talent that helps them become beautiful when they use it to bless others. It may be music, it may be speaking, it may be being handy with fixing things, it may be a particularly caring heart. But as they develop their skills and give of themselves, people get to see their inner heart, their character, and their true beauty.

21. Jo said the following at 10:00 AM on Apr 17:

BDB-
I never read that before, thanks for linking to it. What a great story.

22. BDB said the following at 4:14 PM on Apr 17:

Jo (#21) wrote:

>>What a great story.<<

I actually saw it on TV the first time. It really highlighted the social dynamics in a way that makes the story come alive. That was more than 20 years ago though.

23. Jo said the following at 12:32 AM on Apr 18:

Another example, I work with this guy:
Derek Paravicini
He's autistic and blind, needs staff support for simple things like making his lunch, and yet... watch the video on that page. :)

24. BDB said the following at 1:52 PM on Apr 18:

#23 - that is impressive.

25. Eliana said the following at 9:33 PM on Apr 18:

In response to #16, we know that Miss Boyle cared for her sick mother for years, worked for charity organizations, and is a virgin and a dedicated Roman Catholic churchgoer--quite a contrast to many gorgeous movie stars out there. From what we know about her, she seems to have that inner beauty I Samuel discusses.

26. Christopher from Albuquerque said the following at 9:38 PM on Apr 18:

Ultraviolet (#5),

In response to your comment (regarding Susan's voice, as related to her "beauty," and also about men, regarding "inner beauty"), I'm posting a comment here, about Susan, that I originally left on two other blogs several days ago:

"The world has its superficial ideas of beauty, but this woman truly is beautiful-- not just for her voice (which is amazing) but for her heart and spirit. God bless her."

I don't just write such things-- I try to live them out in how I think of, and relate to, people, both male and female. To God, as His character in revealed in Scripture, true beauty resides in one's heart, *not* in one's physical being. If God thinks this way, I should think this way too, as one who claims to follow Him.

27. IMO said the following at 2:21 PM on Apr 21:

#25
In your previous comment, you wrote:

"I love that clip and have watched it over and over! It's so neat to see her achieve her dreams--like a movie ending but you know it's real. It reminds me of the verse I Samuel 16:7
'For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.' "

Now, if you watched the clip over and over, knowing her background... then yes of course go ahead and use that verse. I'm just saying, you can't know somebody's heart solely based on their singing ability. And what you originally wrote seemed to indicate that.

28. Rachael said the following at 5:58 PM on Apr 21:

Wow Jo, thanks for sharing!

29. Laura said the following at 9:19 PM on Oct 2:

God is so good....in my oft-lonely times as a 30-something single, I am thankful for Christ, not only for salvation, but for his unconditional love, companionship, friendship, and faithfulness to me. My two favorite hymns are NO ONE EVER CARED FOR ME LIKE JESUS and GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS. And by the way, I am playing HE CARES FOR ME on the piano this week at church. As I was practicing at home recently, the sheer beauty, purity, and power of the lyrics struck me, and I sat at the keyboard and wept. How wonderful to know that Jesus loves me unchangingly, whether or not a man ever does. Blessings to all my single Brothers and Sisters. Agape.