7 Things The Bible Says About MarriageНамуна

Nineteen years ago when I first met my wife, I wasn’t exactly thinking, “Wow! This girl really fears the Lord.” No, I was entranced by her dark red hair and her infectious smile. She was way out of my league. She still is.

When I showed up at the door for that first blind date, I was a scrawny little nerd standing speechless in front of the most beautiful girl I had ever met. And for whatever reason, she fell in love with me. Years later, I’m still speechless sometimes—not always because of that fiery red hair, but more often because of the fire inside of her.

Her beauty hasn’t faded, but I find myself more and more attracted to her intangible qualities—things like her love for God, her selflessness, and her generosity. I think that’s what Solomon meant when he said, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting.” I doubt I’ll ever look at my Shelley and not think she’s physically attractive. But, the years have helped me appreciate the depth of true beauty nestled behind her physical form.

I can look at each of our three daughters and see their mother’s beauty. More importantly, I can see the same sweet, godly character being forged inside of them that keeps me falling for their mother day after day. That’s what makes me most proud as a husband and a father. My wife has been both an amazing gift and an invaluable life partner, and I know that God is preparing my daughters for a future where their worth will be measured more by their refinement than by their reflection.

No matter where you are on your journey, it’s never too late to change what you value. God looks beyond our superficial appearance and peers deeply into our hearts. You can’t hide behind a façade or charm your way into His favor.

So, yeah. My wife’s still out of my league. She’s a lot better to look at than I am, sure. But she’s so much more. She teaches me and our family what real beauty is. She teaches me the importance of caring about the condition of my heart. That’s a praiseworthy trait that I’m working to catch up to her on.

What are you doing to cultivate something truly beautiful inside your own heart?

Michael Martin
YouVersion Web Developer