She was a poor farmer’s daughter and lived a hard life. He was a man of position and generosity. She was not a ‘beautiful’ woman by the world’s standards but don’t tell him for the beauty that captured his attention was undeniable. His labor was light and easy. She toiled from sunrise to past sunset. Her caring love for her frail father and siblings was evident in her every action. It was not unusual to hear her singing songs while doing her chores.

When he went into town people stopped to talk with him and sought to learn from his wisdom. Women of means vied for his attention. When she went to town people hardly noticed her. If they did, they took extra steps to avoid her.

And so you can imagine the gasps of overwhelming surprise when it was first rumored that the young man had asked the girl’s father for her hand in marriage. And being the culture it was he inquired about the dowry the father required for the wedding. One cow was the amount set by the father. You could imagine the stunned speechlessness of the town folk when they learned 100 cows and servants to attend them was the dowry the man paid. In our age we have come to appreciate (have we not?) the immense and equal value of women and men. But understand in those days how people would question how any woman could be worth such a fortune, never mind a poor unseemly farm girl.

And yet worth it she was, and more according to the young man. I suppose it is not uncommon even in our days for one’s countenance to reflect how they are valued, admired, and loved by others. And so it was with the young farm girl, when she walked hand in hand with her young husband, to stand tall and with confidence. She was loved perhaps more than any other. And what can I say? Others took notice of her radiant beauty. The young man also was no longer seen for his wealth but for the love that also reflected in the eyes of his bride.

This is not at all a story of gender superiority or submission. But it does tell the tale of the need we each have to love and to be loved. And it relates how the power of being valued speaks to a very deep and dear place in our hearts.

Did you know that God, like the young man, chose US while we were still unworthy? That he sought us from before we were born? That he rescued us from an eternity of despair, not to play the hero role, but because he loves us and values us so much? And do our eyes reflect this immense love or do the daily routines fog our memory of his great gift to us?*

For God demonstrates his love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

* based on a tale told by Ray Exum, Second Chicken Soup For the Soul