Taking a sip of coffee, I was pleased to see no trace on my cup that my lips touched it. Trial and error paid off and I finally discovered that elusive Perfect Lipstick.

One of the first qualities of my Perfect Lipstick was the color. In this professional environment, I sought something that made it clear that I fit in. This was harder than just finding out if the red should have an orange tint or blue. I was looking for the right amount of color. A color that’s too bold might attract too much attention. After all, I thought, what does it say about a woman when she draws all that attention to herself?

In a few failed attempts, a daring, bolder color generated compliments, but these indicated that I was getting noticed. I threw those in the trash, reminding myself that I wanted to be known for the quality and quantity of my work and not my lip color. Rather than go without lipstick, I continued to seek out a softer color. I felt washed out and pale with just my naked lips. No one would take me seriously if I didn’t look nice.

So I found a color that seemed to strike the balance between a woman who is “too much” and a woman who is “not enough.” The neutral color complimented my skin tone, deepened my natural lip color, and helped me fit in.

The second quality I loved about my Perfect Lipstick was that it was long lasting. And by long, I mean all day. I swiped it on in the morning and took it off at night. Technically, the Perfect Lipstick was a lip stain. This meant I didn’t have to take time away from my work to primp in the mirror before a meeting. I could focus on work while I was at work. Less time for me meant more time for my clients.

The last quality about the Perfect Lipstick was the one that brought a satisfied smile. There was no trace of my lipstick on my coffee mug. I didn’t make a mark. My beautiful coffee cup would never be marred by messy lipstick.

But this Perfect Lipstick revealed a huge issue. And I remember where I was in the aisle between rows of cubicles at work when that revelation hit me.

This lipstick reflected my life.

I was fitting in so well that I was nearly camouflaged at work.

I arranged my life to stay safe and Invisible.

Some people have life pass before their eyes at a near death experience, but I felt it in that moment.

It felt like I remembered everything.

💘 All the hiding.

💘 All the fitting in.

💘 All keeping my head down and following the rules.

At the end of my life, there might be a few people who'd miss me but there would be NO sign I had ever visited this planet. It was like my life’s purpose was to be nice, believe the "right" things, and work hard.

I had been measuring my worth using other people's yardsticks.

And though I felt God urging me to DARE to live differently -- to DARE to speak openly about my faith – in my fear of being noticed, I hid myself and looked to others for approval and advice before making decisions about my life.

It was at that moment I determined I would never again wear that "Perfect Lipstick.” I purchased a bold lipstick, instead. The messy kind you need to wipe off of the glass. And now every time I put it on and every time I clean it off, I remember.

God didn't create me to come and go without a trace and He didn't create you for that either.

Each of us is a unique, one-of-a-kind masterpiece that carries a portion of his wisdom and testifies of his power in our personal experiences. There is something that you and I can do that no one else can.

He designed you for a purpose.

He invites you to stand out.

He created you to Make Your Mark! 💄