I met my husband James in grad school where strangely enough, I studied alongside other students who had been Miss Oregon, Miss California, and even a future Miss America.
Let’s face it. We women are prone to comparisons. When I think about those beauty pageant winners, sometimes I don’t even feel like Miss Cul-de-Sac. I don’t think I could win a contest in housekeeping, beauty, or culinary arts. But you know what? Those titles don’t really matter.
After all, my dear husband didn’t pick a Miss (insert amazing category here). He picked me. For better or for worse. For dress-up date nights and sweatpants mom days.
And guess what? If you are married, your husband picked you too. Over all the other girls in the world, he chose you. (Hang on single ladies, your prince may be on his way too)
Instead of hanging your head down because your make-up isn’t perfect or you need a tummy tuck, put a smile on your face and your best foot forward.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. That’s what it proclaims in Psalm 119. But I’m afraid many of us believe the opposite. We fear that we are NOT fearfully and wonderful made. If we allow it to, physical shortcomings can sabotage our ability to be happy in our own skin.
We all come pre-packaged with strength and weaknesses. Don’t fall into the comparison trap which quickly diminishes the wonderful gifts you offer to the world. Let go of your unrealistic expectations of “perfect” and appreciate what you have. Accentuate your strengths!
Listen to what God is asking you to do in your marriage, not what popular culture dictates you should do. You are beautiful in God’s sight and you know what? Your husband thinks you’re beautiful too. That’s why he chose you.
So tell me in the comments below the amazing qualities you have the your husband loves and chose YOU for. One reader will be chosen to win a copy of Arlene’s book 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife. If you can’t wait to read it you can buy it on Amazon now.
You have until Monday, March 10 to enter.
Arlene Pellicane is a speaker and author of 31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife.
She and her husband James live in Southern California with their three children.
You can visit her website to Take the Quiz: Are You a Happy Wife?
My dh loved my cooking and my navigational skills (these were the pre-GPS days), as well as my playful side and my confidence / strength of conviction in my ideas and beliefs.
Hubby loves that I’m “together” — meaning that I’m the planner & organizer.
My husband tells me he loves my brain – that I am well-read and appreciate literature. He calls me his literature reference. 🙂
My dh liked that I prayed for him and got him thoughtful gifts.
My husband loves how I can manage the “office” aspect of our marriage. I keep our schedule organized, make sure we know what is going to happen, that we have reminders, I manage the bill payments and keep household things in order. I figure out how to make the things we want to do happen. He loves how thoughtful I am and that I always find and do those little things that show him love. He is my spontaneous side. He helps me loosen up and take chances. He gives me the confidence to explore outside of my box and to take a risk. He has gotten me to loosen up and let go. To have fun and not take everything so seriously. I love the way he makes me laugh and always knows how to bring a smile to my face.
My husband loves how I look and my faith in God.
Optimism! I look on the bright side, even when that bright side is very hard to find and you have to really search for it! 🙂 Also, my faith in him! I tell him daily how very proud of him that I am and how thankful I am that he is who he is! 🙂