In my job I see lots of "beautiful" women.  I am sure most of you guys do too.  It doesn't take much to see women who are, at least by the world's standard, beautiful.  You know the stereotype, long blond hair, blowing in a breeze, long legs, short dress, large... you know..., low blouse and puckery lips.  That's right, that's our society's definition of beautiful.  Men drool over those pictures of those women, ladies panic that they don't look like it, boys fantasize about it and girls try to become it.  Beauty???  I want to stand up and say "NO, NO, NO and NO"  This Valentine's Day, let me tell you what I see as truly beautiful.

True beauty is in the smiling face I greet when I woak in the door tired after a full day of work.  She's tired too, after all, in many ways, she probably worked harder than I did, but I still see the smile, not only on her lips and in her cheeks, but in her eyes too.  True beauty is the loving mother giving a two armed bear hug to a tired child who cralwed up on her lap just before bed, thumb in mouth, and head on her shoulder.  Beauty is snuggly, cute sweatshirt and denim skirt that makes me jst want to put my arm around her and pull her close.  Beauty if waking up beside her in the morning, with her beautiful, long hair strewn over her cheek and pillow as she lays on her side sleeping soundly.  Beauty is a wife who puts up with my hassels and my annoyances with a smile and joy.  Beauty is a wife who does her best to honor God and honor her husband.  Beauty if a wife who loves her children and does what is best for them, without complaint.  Beauty is a wife who is willing to sit and snuggle with me on the couch, for no reason other than to want to be close to me (go figure).  Beauty is a wife who will not just say "I'm sorry", but will repent for her mistakes and strive to do better. 

I get fed up with the phoniness of beauty as defined by the world.  Give me the inner  beauty of  my wife any day!!!!  Now, don't get me wrong, my wife has inner beauty, but she is also just plain gorgeous on the outside.  But, that ouside beauty is caused by what happens inside, it's NOT fake. 

It is interesting when you think about Proverbs 31.  It talks a bout a woman whose value is far above rubies.  Rubies are a pretty stone, but it is their value, their inner value that enhances their beauty. There are plenty of pretty stones out there that are worthless.  That's what makes my wife special she is beautiful with an inner value that shines all over the place.  Happy Valentines Day My Love.  I thank God for you and for all you do.  You are truly a blessing