An observation about countenance

While being at the Homeschooling Conference, I noticed something. There was a certain "look" to many of the home-schooled children. I'm not just talking about how they were dressed. Their faces had similar features. I can't say exactly what because I couldn't just stare at people and study them - that would be rude. But over and over as I would walk past people, repetitively in those quick glances I saw a similarity in their features. To be honest, the only way I can describe it is "the nerdy look."

But I gained a new appreciation for that look. I think instead of it being "nerdy" I'm going to call it the look of purity. Now I don't know any of those children personally, or what their home life is like. But I can assume that they are similar to me just by the fact that they want to home school. The fact that they were there tells me they want to provide a better environment for their children. Their great burden is to instill in their children a love and fear of the Lord and adequately prepare them to be successful missionaries and productive members of society. They care about their children's character formation.

I thought of something Ellen White shares about the change in Satan's countenance.

"Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Christ. His countenance, like those of the other angels, was mild and expressive of happiness. His forehead was high and broad, showing great intelligence. His form was perfect; his bearing noble and majestic." (EW 145.1)

"I was shown Satan as he once was, a happy, exalted angel. Then I was shown him as he now is. He still bears a kingly form. His features are still noble, for he is an angel fallen. But the expression of his countenance is full of anxiety, care, unhappiness, malice, hate, mischief, deceit, and every evil. That brow which was once so noble, I particularly noticed. His forehead commenced from his eyes to recede. I saw that he had so long bent himself to evil that every good quality was debased, and every evil trait was developed. His eyes were cunning, sly, and showed great penetration. His frame was large, but the flesh hung loosely about his hands and face. As I beheld him, his chin was resting upon his left hand. He appeared to be in deep thought. A smile was upon his countenance, which made me tremble, it was so full of evil and satanic slyness. This smile is the one he wears just before he makes sure of his victim, and as he fastens the victim in his snare, this smile grows horrible." {EW 152.3}

The truth being gleaned here is that facial features reflect one's character.

I've seen it happen in students I've known who canvassed and their heart was set on serving God. But over some years they fell away and backslid. I see pictures on Facebook and there is a certain look in their countenance (not just make up or different hairstyle or clothing.) If you covered all that up and just looked at their face, they have a different look to them.

Maybe I'm just imagining it. Maybe they've just gotten older so their faces have changed.

Has anyone else noticed these things?

"I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Ps 42:1)