Jesus Saw Her...

I was reading today about the story of Rachel and Leah in the book of Genesis.  Both were wives of Jacob, both gave children to Jacob; but it seemed that Rachel was the one whom Jacob truly loved.  In the Bible it said that Leah had delicate eyes, but that Rachel was beautiful to behold.

From the beginning Leah mourned that Jacob loved Rachel over her; despite the fact that she gave him six sons and one daughter.  But even the fact that she gave him children still didn't gain his favor or love.  In fact, the promise of a Savior was carried not through Rachel's Joseph but through Leah's Judah; whose descendants would include the infamous King David and of course Jesus.

More than anything Rachel and Leah reminds me that life is fraught with sorrow and peril, much of it caused by sin and selfishness.  Leah experienced loving a man who was indifferent to her; but it doesn't mean we have to...

You see after reading the story of ultimate competition between two sisters; I couldn't help but think why do women always seem to compare themselves to other women?  We are all in this together, in fact, we struggle with a lot of the same things.

Even though we have a society who often judge by our outward appearances, I'm so grateful for a God who always sees our hearts and judges accordingly!  God is moved by our sorrow, and with His help He can help us not to compare ourselves to other women.

I pray that God will enable us to base our identity on our relationship with Him rather than what we see in our mirrors...I pray we won't be so critical of how God put us together; but rather women who are confident because we are lovable, not because of any outward beauty.  And because God has loved us from the moment He called us into being...

Here's what I want you to do:
Call to mind everything you like about yourself...for example...I love my quirky sense of humor, my love of great literature, musicals and chick-flicks, my compassion for others, my curly hair, even the shape of my body.  Do this for a week, and reward yourself at the end of the week with coffee or dinner with your girlfriends!

Let us resist the temptation to complain about things we don't like...let's not complain about how our Lord made us...go on beautiful sister, shine and exude the beauty God has given you!!!

Love and Peace,
G