To My Girls…
There are now three supremely important ladies in my life. I say “ladies” because the word reflects, to some degree, the point I hope to make in this article. I am still learning how to treat a woman, but I am learning… from experience and from my mistakes. I hope I will be a good man to these three women and demonstrate in my actions what I am saying with my words in this article.
The first (from oldest to youngest) is my wife, Caroline, who has captured my heart. She is significantly younger than me, a fact of which I am proud, but she is still an adult with all the “stuff” (and history) that comes with being an adult woman. Nonetheless, she needs to hear these things as much as the others. While other people may “look on the outward appearance,” God still “looks on the heart.” I love your heart, Caroline. Thanks for letting me into it.
The next is my stepdaughter, Eva. She is 11-years old and learning to be a young lady. She and her mom are outnumbered by the three guys in this household (me and her two brothers), but her mom is a great model and she is greatly loved and cherished, even though her brothers threaten to “sell her” at times. I love watching you grow, Eva Mae, and feel blessed when you hug me. I will never be up there with your dad (a man I admire greatly), but I am proud to be your stepdad.
The third is my granddaughter, Sadie Rose. Goodness, what a joy to hold her in my arms. She just turned three months and has no clue what it means to be a girl or lady, but someday she will! You represent so many good things to me, Sweet Sadie. From new beginnings to grace and forgiveness, you remind me that God is not done with me or this world. You already own me. We will play in the backyard, we will swing under the tree, we will ride the tractor, we will run and dance and celebrate the life God has given to you!
So to these three ladies, “My Girls…”
You Are Valued Because He Says So
Whatever others may say of you, whatever you may say of yourself, today or at any point in your lives to come, God has declared that YOU are of infinite value. That is, in fact, true of all people, but this isn’t about them. This is about YOU and God, the Creator of the universe, has stated and demonstrated that YOU are valuable. This is important for you to grasp because…
Other People Will Not Treat You with Greater Respect Than You Have For Yourself
This may not be absolutely true in absolutely every instance, but as a rule you can expect that others will not treat you with greater value than you give yourself. If you devalue your person, your body, and your character, don’t expect others, particularly men, to treat you with value. I refer to “men” here because…
God Made You To Complement a Man
Yes, you may discover you can live without a man, but that’s not really God’s design for you. So, He is preparing you to be a godly wife or, in the case of Caroline, to be a godly wife who is constantly growing spiritually. To be the wife God desires, you must learn to bring out the best in a man, especially your husband. In order to do that, you must…
Help Your Man Understand Your Supreme Worth and Value
God gifted you with the tools to make your husband all God desires for him to be. In fact, your man can never be “good” without you being what God made you to be. That alone makes you incredibly valuable and important in your husband’s life. And while you may not be married yet, you should assume any boy you “date” needs to be keenly aware that the God of the universe has made you to be infinitely valuable. (See how this has come full circle?)
So, when you encounter any man (including stepdads and granddads), expect them to treat you like a lady. Expect them to treat you with value. Expect them to hold the door, carry your books, compliment your clothes, defend your honor, let you go first, respect you with their words, and simply do what guys should do for ladies, because…
You Are Worth It!!!