The Curse of Ornamental Relationships

Universally, beauty is appreciated as a gift from God, something that, if not present, is considered a curse. Well, I believe this to be untrue. Sure, I can appreciate beautiful things, beautiful people, beautiful whatevers....However, when it comes to relationships and finding a base thereof, I deem beauty a curse. Why is it that whenever we search for that perfect mate we automatically judge the prospects by their immediate appearance? Well, I know, but I think it's wrong.

Beauty is so much deeper than the epidermis. For example, the Proverbs 31 woman:

• Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
• The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 
• She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
• She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
• She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
• She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
• She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 
• She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
• She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
• She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
• She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
• She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
• She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
• Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
• She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 
• Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 
• She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is tha law of kindness. 
• She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
• Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
• Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
• Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
• Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates 

 Now that.....is beautiful. I think the issue that I have with society today is that, while many women strive to be as much like this perfect image portrayed in the Bible, most men (or, guys), fail to acknowledge that beauty. Instead, they take the female at face value, appreciating only the outer beauty and using their girl as an ornament for their egos. It is not feministic to desire to be seen beyond one's skin, it is only natural. A woman desires to feel needed, appreciated, and yes, beautiful....but above all there is a desire to know that her inner attributes are special, desired, sought after over and above the beauty that is imposed upon our minds as a must-have by present-day society.
I am exhausted by the pressures of this world to fill a mold that is not of God. He calls not for us women to be idols, ornaments, and favorite pastimes, He calls for us to be holy, pure, acceptable in His sight, apart from what is popular in today's culture. We are instructed in His word so set Him as a seal upon our hearts---He does "own" our hearts doesn't he? In that light, I can only assume that my heart should long for what would please him, not the sex-crazed society I am surrounded by.

Let us love the one who has paid the ultimate price in love for us....Let us offer ourselves at His feet and wash His feet with our hair. In light of eternity, His love is the only one that lasts, and His courtship will be the only one still bearing fruit after this earthly body (beautiful or otherwise) is returned to dust. I don't know about you, but my soul longs for the caress of my Savior, and the sweet embrace of His everlasting mercy and love. ♥♥♥

Do his eyes twinkle when he thinks of you, his precious child...or do they fill with tears at the sight of you giving yourself away to another idol rather than Him and His perfect plan?

The pleasure of sin lasts for only a little while...then vanishes away...but the treasures we lay up in heaven last for an eternity...and they don't make our Heavenly Father cry ♥