Hello, beauties!
Hello, my pretty and wise sisters!
Hello, beautiful Pretty and Wise friends!
These are just a few of the greetings you’ll hear in the videos and podcasts from our team here at Pretty and Wise. Some have asked, “So what’s the deal with the name?” Others have even questioned, “Why the emphasis on beauty?”
As I was thinking and praying about what to write this month, I felt the Lord nudge me to reflect on these questions. Some of you may think, “Well, of course, it’s obvious. It’s the name of your website and your ministry.” But others have questioned the ‘wisdom’ of this name and the foundation of our ministry itself.
So let’s look at the core scripture for the Pretty and Wise team:
“How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.”— Ecclesiastes 8:1 (NLT)
When you read this scripture, what do you see? What do you hear? Take a minute. Read it again. Let the words sink in.
Let’s break it down…
“How wonderful…”
This isn’t just a polite, “Oh, how nice for you.” The implication here is that wisdom is rare and extraordinary—a thing of wonder.
For my fellow word nerds and Hebrew scholars, while the word “wonderful” in this verse isn’t a direct translation of a single Hebrew word, it’s an interpretive choice to emphasize the uniqueness and value of wisdom. If you were to look for a Hebrew word commonly translated as “wonderful” elsewhere in the Old Testament, you might find "פָּלָא" (pala)—which means "to be extraordinary, marvelous, or beyond human ability" (as seen in Psalm 139:14).
But that’s not the word used here. Instead, the original Hebrew phrase begins with a rhetorical question:
“Who is like the wise?”
This phrasing underscores just how rare and precious true wisdom is. Not everyone possesses it, but for those who do—it is truly a wonder.
(Side note: If you’ve ever wondered about Bible translations, the NLT follows a combination of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) methods. That’s why, instead of a direct translation of Hebrew words, it often translates the entire idea into natural, everyday English.)
“…to be wise…”
Even though other scriptures—particularly in Ecclesiastes—warn us that wisdom has its limits, we see here that wisdom is still a profoundly good thing! This verse highlights the blessing of wisdom. It is a wonderful gift from God(Ecclesiastes 2:26a).
But how do we get there? What does it mean, in this scripture, to be wise?
The very next part of the verse gives us a clue…
“…to analyze and interpret things…”
Wisdom requires us to analyze and interpret. That’s a good thing!
To analyze something, we have to ask questions, break it down, and understand its words, thoughts, origin, and worldview. Once we’ve analyzed it, we can interpret—applying meaning and making sense of it.
Wisdom helps us navigate life with clarity, insight, and discernment. And with clarity comes relief and peace.
And the result?
“Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.”
Wisdom is transformative. But not just any wisdom—God’s wisdom.
When we seek and embrace the wisdom of God and His Word, it changes us from the inside out. It brings inner clarity, understanding, and peace—and that inner light manifests outwardly.
It literally does something to a person’s countenance. It softens the harshness that once marked their face.
We’ve all seen this happen, haven’t we? I’ve seen it so clearly in the life of a dear friend. I remember standing with her, pointing to an old photo of her on the wall—a picture from before she knew Jesus. She looked angry. Hardened. The lines on her face told a story of pain, frustration, and weariness.
Then, I directed her to the mirror. And what a difference.
There, standing before me, was a radiantly beautiful, older, and much wiser woman. She had taken off her old self and put on the new self—the one offered to her in Christ. And as she grew in the wisdom of the Word, her understanding of God, and her faith, her countenance changed.
She was years older, yet the harsh lines were gone. You could see it in her face, hear it in her voice, and sense it in the way she carried herself.
A Beauty That Radiates
So, when we say, “Hello, beautiful Pretty and Wise friends,” we’re not being flippant. We are speaking truth over you. Because wisdom truly does something to a person. It changes how we see, how we understand, and even how we appear.
True wisdom—the kind that comes from God—doesn’t just fill our minds; it radiates from within, softening our hearts and illuminating our faces with grace, peace, and understanding.
We’ve all seen it, haven’t we? The glow of someone who has been walking with Jesus, soaking in His truth, growing in His wisdom. It’s a beauty that no makeup or filter can create—it’s the radiance of a life transformed.
And that’s why Pretty and Wise exists. We are not just about outward beauty—we are about the beauty that comes from a heart transformed by God’s wisdom.
The world may define beauty by fleeting, external standards, but God defines it by the radiance of a life surrendered to Him.
So keep seeking Him, keep growing in wisdom, and don’t be surprised when people start noticing something different about you.
Because when God’s wisdom takes root in your heart, it shows up on your face.
And sister, it’s absolutely stunning.
Blessings,
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