Value

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The Bible is full of verses that let us know that God loves us. The various authors take pains to make sure we know not only that we are loved, but also how much; to what lengths God goes to express that love - despite our flaws!. It is clear throughout scripture that we have not earned God’s love; indeed we can not earn it. It is a gift, undeserved but given freely. Why does God, through the prophets and apostles, continually point out the breadth and depth of his love for us? Because knowing that you are loved unconditionally, knowing that we are valued and desired, knowing that someone would go to extremes to prove their love has a transformative power on us. We who are married have a similar power. We have the privilege to love our spouse in ways that affirm them, strengthen them and act as a catalyst for God to “finish the good work He has begun in them.” (Phillipians 1:6) I read a story that recounted an old tale from the island of Kiniwata. A custom on this island was for a prospective husband to pay a price to the father of his would be bride, traditionally two or three cows. The story tells of how Johnny Lingo, the island’s most eligible bachelor paid eight cows for his wife, who at the time of the marriage was plain of looks, meek and shy in demeanor. A writer for Woman’s Day heard this story and went to interview the couple. Upon meeting Johnny’s wife, the author remarked that she was the most beautiful women she had ever seen. When asked about his actions, Johnny himself said this: “Many things can change a woman... But the thing that matters most is what she thinks about herself. In Kiniwata, Sarita believed she was worth nothing. Now she knows she is worth more than any other woman in the islands ... I wanted an eight-cow wife.” Read more here: http://www.growthtrac.com/artman/publish/inspire-wife-romance-1369.php I have long believed that confidence is the most important factor to physical attractiveness. Nothing boosts confidence more than knowing that you are cherished by another, just for being you. You may be already married, but brainstorm ideas of how you can let your spouse know they are worth more to you than anyone else. Love them such that there is no doubt in their mind what they mean to you, even at those times when they don’t deserve it... because that’s how God loves us - and there is nothing more powerfully able to transform us into what he has created us to be.