AAACK! With Thanksgiving and Christmas...and decorating and shopping...and posting recipes and embarrassing moments...I forgot to post the next praying on the run card! Proof that my brain can truly only juggle so much information at one time!
Card 4 actually became a topic of conversation with another of my single girl friends just a few days ago!
The quote I chose comes from Patrick Morley, who says:
What first attracted him to his wife was her looks, and they are still important to him...husbands want to stay married. They also want you to continue 'attracting' them...
And my prayer has become:
Discipline to continue the upkeep of my appearance out of respect for myself and him.
Pretty good running motivator, huh? :)
The conversation I had with my friend revolved around the question of why women stop trying with their appearance after they get married. They find the husband and suddenly forget about hair product, straighteners, makeup, jewelry, clothes that fit, nail polish, you name it.
Oh it doesn't happen to everyone. I have several friends who have continued to out-cute themselves through pregnancy, chasing toddlers, and running carpools. I remember actually calling up a friend of mine after I saw his wife in the dollar store just about a month after their twins were born. She walked in the front door of the store with her hair curled, her face on, and an outfit that had been well coordinated. I told him how cute she looked and how impressed I was that she'd pulled it off in her sleep-deprived-new-mom-of-twins status.
Even over the phone, I could hear the pride in his voice; his wife was a keeper - and not just because she was beautiful, but because she cared about her appearance - for herself and for him. It meant a lot to him, and I was so glad to see an example in action that it could be done.
Back in the days of dating, I was blessed to have a boyfriend who didn't care if I came to the door of the college apartment in rather garish plaid pajamas or my Sunday best. My hair could have been dripping wet and sporting tangles or meticulously curled. On the days when I hated everything about the way I looked, he assured me I was beautiful. I appreciated his acceptance, especially considering I had very low self-esteem. But I still tried. I wanted to look as good as I could for him - because I knew how much I loved it when he did what he could to look good for me.
I've been told it's not easy. Not easy to have time to work out...or shop for clothes that fit...or put on makeup...or even take a shower. But let me live in the belief that it is possible!!
3 hours ago
3 comments:
I think it's funny how when dating, or trying to keep dating you go to such extremes and like you point out once you get married appearances seem to be the least of your concerns! I know when dating I definitely acted like crazy looking in the mirror 10000 times, even changing a few times. BAH!
Hey I have a COMPLETELY sports free blog post! Come check it out :)
Well we should make a pact that if we ever end up in that slacking off boat...we lecture each other!
I'm SO proud of your sports free post. :D
I can't speak for everyone - but I know for me, my meticulous upkeep has waned a bit. This, however, is due to physical and family illness/challenges over the years.
As far as the women who are way out there on their shape, makeup, hairdo's? Great for them! However, to quote Mark Lowry (one of Bekah's fav Christian comedian and singer), "This too shall pass". That is true for both men and women. The metabolic rate will S L O W down as all of us age.
This is why, when getting married, it is great wisdom think carefully about the vows. No matter how "modern" you vows, it is good to work in the traditional words of "for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health". That is the reality of living, and of marriage.
We do our best as women to look our best at all times. But, it's ok if you look in the mirror one day and realize the reflection is not exactly how you remember it once being. ;-D
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