Today's reading

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. –1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

December 8, 2019

The Eye of the Beholder

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. –1 Samuel 16:7 ESV

I once read a story about a journalist who traveled to Africa to do a story on an unknown tribe. The journalist was accepted by them, and he had the opportunity to explore their customs and beliefs. One of these customs was that when a man wanted to marry, he would give the father of the girl some cattle. If she was attractive, he had to give the father more than if she was plain. The most anyone had ever given for a bride in this tribe was three cows. One young man wanted to marry a girl who was extremely plain. He loved her dearly, so he gave her father ten cows. You can imagine the father’s surprise. When asked why, the young man said that he wanted her to know how valuable she was to him, how much he loved her, and how beautiful he believed her to be. He wanted her to be able to hold her head high around the other women as the most valuable woman in their tribe. Years later, the journalist went back to do a follow-up story. To his amazement the once plain girl had blossomed into a beautiful woman. Why? Love changed everything. You are also loved, valued, and worthy. May you blossom in God’s love for you.

prayer focuses

Reflect on who God says you are, not who the world says you are.

Let His love transform you. You were purchased with a great price. Thank God today for showing you the ultimate gift of love, sending His Son to die on the Cross so that you might live.

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about the

Author

Brenda Beattie

Brenda Beattie is a retired letter carrier and an active Chaplain for the USPS. She and her husband retired to Bradenton because they loved their church, Bayside Community Church. She has self-published two books, "Finding Sacred Ground In The Daily Grind," and "The Case Of The Missing Letter." She is also a repeat author for "Chicken Soup For The Soul." Her articles appear monthly in the "Mountaineer," a postal publication. Her hearts desire is to encourage and to give hope.