To my precious treasures,
I know you think I am ancient in years (in other words, I am old :) ), but I remember quite clearly being 12 and 14 years old. I can remember passing notes in the hallway, talking about guys who were cute, what I got on a test, and if I could spend the night at someone's house that weekend. At lunch, I can remember wondering if a certain boy might come up and talk to me (Oohhh!! I would be so nervous- red cheeks, sweaty palms, etc.) and hoping I didn't have any food stuck in my braces. (Probably did, how gross!!) Where was a mirror when I needed one? :)
As junior high girls, my friends and I talked a lot about whether someone was cute or simply just a dork. Sometimes we were downright cruel and rude at what we would say about them. We would shy away from the boys who were smoking, swearing, or had too many pimples and greasy hair. They were too scary and disgusting. Outward appearances were of top importance. If anyone would have suggested to us that there is a lot more to a guy than just his appearance, we would have looked at each other and laughed. What could possibly be more important than that???
Here is the answer to that question:
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
When I got a little older, I began to catch a glimpse of what God meant about the importance of the heart. (Although what God said mattered very little to me at that time....sad isn't it?) Suddenly, how "hot" a guy was/wasn't didn't rank as high as who he was at his core. I knew I didn't want a jerk as my boyfriend. But what did MY heart look like? If someone dated me, would they be getting a jerk for a girlfriend? Would guys care about what my heart looked like over what I looked like outwardly? Decent guys...yes, I think they would. (See your father for further clarification on this one. :) )
The heart of the matter is this....the heart matters. :) I love you and your heart!
More later,
Momma
