A Woman's WORTH

I always have had such strange encounters out on my power walks , that I almost named this blog, The Walking Woman. 

What happened to me on a Summer's morning , at a crossroads in my neighborhood...heading home...has caused me to think about a woman's worth in today's world, and most especially in her own heart...and how far it is from the truth.

It was about 8 AM in the morning,I was coming back from my walk , and when I came to an intersection of the road, I crossed paths with a young woman in her 20's coming a different way. 

She stood out in the bright sunshine of the morning because she was walking barefoot in a short cocktail dress, she had her rhinestone high-heel sandals in her hand, she had smudged mascara under her eyes , and her lovely hair was disheveled and obviously hastily put up. I knew immediately what she had done the night before , as I had walked in her footsteps myself when I was young.

She looked briefly at me , I smiled...but my heart was breaking for her as I KNEW she did not have any idea how valuable she is , her worth in this world...and especially her worth in God's eyes. It also made me think of  my two blonde daughters about her age ... I saw all women , walking some paths they should not.

She looked mildly embarrassed , her white cocktail dress with it's sparkling beads looked very odd in the bright sunshine of the day. She passed me, I knew she had come from the large house on the corner where all the college and young adults live. There is usually about 4-6 cars outside of the house, it is a rental house with attractive young men and women coming and going from there all the time. Lots of different boyfriends and girlfriends, or even worse yet , the new ' friends with benefits ( sexual)' with no attachments or strings. I have seen young women leaving there with their hair wet from their early morning shower , the young men taking them home. The ' worth ' of these young women is very evident in the eyes and actions of these men.

I wanted that morning to take that young beautiful woman at the crossroads by her shoulders, shake them and say, " Do you have ANY idea how valuable you are ? " Women of all ages have been brainwashed by our culture in the last 50-60 years to believe our worth is solely in the eyes of a man. If we are attractive enough, fit enough, sexy enough , happy enough , pleasant enough then we are more valuable ...of more worth.We also have added on the additional burden to ourselves to be successful...and so when we fall short of the mark in any of these areas we believe our worth is plummeting.

I wanted this young woman to know deep in her soul that God wants her to have high respect for herself . To consider herself , her very essence and person MORE valuable than gold , jewelry, great material riches , even a  priceless masterpiece . To not allow the reflection of herself in a man's eyes be her judge of her worth , but to KNOW she is of such high value to GOD that it makes any other reflection from this world of her worth...meaningless , that it pales in comparison.

My two beautiful daughters

Once she can grasp her own true worth , then she will become more beautiful than she ever could imagine...not just physically...but in her spirit. I did not tell this young woman that message that day , but God spoke to me very strongly to try somehow to relay that to young women in any way that I can possibly do it. I have tried , I need to do more...and I do not believe this is only a message for young women. 
I do not completely understand my own worth , I have been sufficiently brainwashed myself between movies, television ,  magazines, ads and the media. I almost did not write this as I have not ' arrived ' myself 100 % at this truth.

But I believe if we all wait for that " Aha ! Now I understand completely !' moment , when we know that something is true...then we procrastinate until our convictions lose their power and strength. So I write this with the hope that if even ONE woman stops and considers her worth in God's eyes and not man's eyes, then it will be sufficient in helping someone who is already

beautiful.

Many , many blessings to you today,

Gina

  " For you have formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise YOU, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made . " Psalm 139:13-14

BEAUTY is in The EYE of the BEHOLDER...Thanks Be to GOD

Since I sell antique and vintage paintings online, one of the benefits is going on ' painting hunts ', which I try to do once or twice a week at the very least.  You know when you are out searching for beauty in Art...it is so very nice to have God show you it through people as well. I am not talking about beautiful people...I am talking about when their words and actions display intense beauty. Let me tell you about the woman in the antique mall who loudly declared, " He's MY HUSBAND and you CAN'T have him ! ".

  I'll start this off by saying she wasn't saying that to me...she was loudly and happily declaring it to another  woman shopping that day. Let me set the stage of the entire scenario. We have 4 players , the happy wife , the husband , the happy other woman-shopper , and me. 

I had just passed a booth and a woman , she was attractive, early 60's, cropped blond hair....shopping or working in a booth . I was unsure , I did not know if she was a dealer because in the next booth over was a large man sitting in a large armchair...obviously waiting for her. As I walked into the booth he was sitting in , there was a huge sign...actually a couple of them, that said " 50 % off EVERYTHING in THIS BOOTH. "There was a lot of artwork, so I looked at about 10 or so prints and paintings , smiled briefly at him, and then ALMOST said , " Are you 50% off too ? " But did not know if it would offend him or his wife, so I did not. 10 years ago I would have said it in a heartbeat, but...trying to rein in my mouth more.

 

So I kept walking, got about two booths down, and then I hear HER. The other woman-happy shopper. She was also in her 60's , I glanced back when I heard her speak...and she had no problem telling the happy-wife shopper  EXACTLY what she thought. Follow this :

Happy-Other-Woman-Shopper: ( she was in the 50 % off booth ): Well, are YOU 50% off ? ( to the husband)

Happy-wife : " No he is NOT, that is MY HUSBAND ! You CAN'T have HIM !"

Happy-Other-Woman-Shopper: : " OH but I am TEMPTED ! I may snatch him up at 50 % off ! "

The entire time this is going on , I never turned around, but I could envision all their expressions. 

Continuing..

Happy-wife: " NO you CAN NOT ! He is the BEST husband in the world, he just got off a plane and is tired but he is here with me. I LOVE him, he is so wonderful , he is so great "( ..and on and on she went ).

Happy other woman-shopper: " Well I declare ,( we are in the South here ), he DOES  sound like the BEST husband in the world, I am still tempted but I'll have to keep shopping. "

And off she went, this was accompanied by lots of laughter and good feelings floating through the air...I could FEEL that man brimming with pride and happiness, and I wasn't even near him anymore.

It made me realize that it is so true that Beauty is in The Eye of the Beholder , and without a doubt thanks be to God who made us this way.

The husband was not an Adonis , not dressed snazzy , he was not a lady-killer by any means. But in his wife's eyes, he was EVERYTHING and more, that she dreamed a husband could be. He had somehow made himself ' beautiful ' , in every way to her. And in turn, the Beauty or rather Love he reflected back to her , blessed me and the happy-other woman-shopper beyond words.

I found some nice paintings that day , but the memory of that obvious display of love , was the most beautiful find of all.

I hope your day is full of beauty,

Gina