Do You Think I'm Beautiful, Chapter 3

“I haven’t been completely honest with you.” My fiancé’s voice was a little shaky as he spoke into the phone.

My mind raced as I forced myself to remain calm.

“Okay,” I said.

He began to detail what he considered to be minor differences in our theological perspectives. But minor differences to him were major concerns to me.

My wedding dress hung quietly in the bathroom, waiting for me to shower and dress. Bridesmaids and groomsmen were at the church putting final touches on the decorations. My father and brother were at the mall picking up their tuxedos. Mom bustled with the caterer, making sure every hors d’oeuvre was properly placed. Friends from around the country were touching down at the airport.

But a simple phone call shattered my stain glassed world.

Musicians played as guests were seated. All were invited to a reception. None witnessed a wedding. The gown went into storage.

In Chapter 3 of Do You Think I’m Beautiful, Angela Thomas discusses the other lovers in our lives. She points out, “God did not mean for the canyon inside your heart to remain empty…that is the place He has planned to fill, to make whole, with his love.” (p.47)

The fact is, people let us down. Husbands will sweep us off our feet, until they step across the threshold and transform from heroes to humans. Children will steal our fragile hearts as infants, and then toy with them the rest of our lives. (I’m convinced my son plays football with mine every day!)

Husbands, children, friends, career goals, and even material stuff, are all a part of a woman’s life. God created us to be lovers of people and appreciators of beauty and accomplishment. We can enjoy these blessings as good gifts from God…as long as we realize their created purpose. They are little tastes of the love of God, but only tastes. They simply can’t fulfill our deepest needs. That task belongs to Him alone. If we look to the other lovers to meet them, they will fall drastically short.

As for me, three years after my un-wedding, I married a great guy, a pastor no less! We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary two weeks ago. They’ve been sixteen wonderful, love-filled, and thoroughly human years. But even though I bypassed Mr. Wrong and married Mr. Right, my husband and I fully agree with Angela Thomas: “Those deep places inside you were made for God.”