Love - Part Two: Unconditional

Once upon a time...

The "sexiest man alive" falls in love with a beautiful and popular actress.
They are the subject of much gossip.
They are the beautiful people.
They get married and live happily ever after.

Wait. They live happily until...
Until "the sexiest man alive" makes a movie with another famous actress - perhaps more beautiful than the one at home. Sultry. Seductive. Maybe even the "sexiest woman alive."
He's hooked.
Divorces wife.
Starts family with new beautiful actress.
They live happily ever after...
Maybe.

......

Modern women (AND modern men)are constantly confronted with so many bizarre expectations and demands.
We must do this.
We should do that.
We'd better perform at this level - or else!
The pressures to conform and perform are huge - and often ridiculously unrealistic.
We can't possibly measure up!
We live discouraged.
We live frazzled.

When the "...or else" factor is introduced into the marriage equation, security is shattered. Now the discouragement is joined by fear. If I don't measure up, he'll leave. Talk about insecurity!

My previous post (Love - Part One) was referencing an online discussion about how much responsibility spouses have to keep looking good for each other. One commenter brought up the fact that most women WANT to look good their husbands. Duh! Another pointed out that it's not enough to want to; she also has to put some effort into it. Another DUH!!! Ya' think?

I just keep thinking about the woman who is painfully aware that she is not perfect. Maybe she has never felt pretty. That rude comment from junior high about being fat or ugly has been indelibly etched on her brain and on her soul. She does everything she can to look pretty, to stay fit. She invests time, she spends money on beauty products, she wears herself out to get in shape or stay in shape.

Hopefully she is too busy to read these online discussions. Hopefully she won't have to hear her husband make some of the comments that were posted. She is already run ragged trying to keep up with the multiple demands placed on her. She already feels incompetent and unconfident in too many areas. She's already running scared. The LAST thing she needs is to fear that her husband will be upset with her if she forgets to put makeup on. Or styles her hair the wrong way. Or puts on any extra pounds.

But.....

Blessed is the woman who feels secure in her husband's love.
Blessed is the woman whose husband loves her unconditionally.
Who sees her as a whole person.
Who meant it when he said "for better, for worse."
Blessed is the woman who knows she is loved when she succeeds and when she doesn't.

.......

It has been said that a woman of a good husband becomes more beautiful.
Hmmm...
Now that makes me think of the story of Johnny Lingo.

...to be continued...