The Ten Cow Woman

Late last night while traveling on Interstate 10 headed from Pensacola to Orlando, Dr. Tony Evans was on the radio with a powerful message. It was about how we treat each other in marriage but it can and will be adapted in this blog toward how we treat each other. In the message was this story:

Many years ago when a man sought a wife, he would make his intentions known by bringing with him his livestock to trade the woman's family for her. One day a wealthy cattle farmer bought 10 cows with him to trade for a wife and the man who had two daughters, one a very beautiful young lass, and the other a rather older haggard woman, just knew his younger, beautiful girl would be his choice. After all, that was a lot of cows.

To his surprise, the farmer chose the older, somewhat comely looking daughter. Several months later she came back home to visit and the father couldn't believe his eyes. This daughter who he thought to be haggard was absolutely beautiful and glowing, she was far better than he ever imagined. When he asked her what made the difference, she answered, "his love and devotion to me has been so amazing, I am so happy".
 
I am sure you get the point and how it applies to marriage, but let's take that one step further to how we treat each other. Think about this, have you made your children, your friends, your Christian brothers and sisters and even your parents feel like the 10 cow woman? Do you influence others to be better, to be encouraged when discouragement has set in? Is your enthusiasm contagious or contaminating?

Looks like this farmer may have read the scripture (paraphrased), "consider others greater than yourself" and put it into action with his wife. But let's make the greater point...God considers you a 10 cow man/woman, so do you feel like it and are you willing to let that feeling rub off on others?

Verse after verse in the Bible talks about how God loves us, but do we really let that love soak into our souls so deep that we are always glowing? Or are we like those Israelites who were always complaining? Do you think that attitude makes a difference in how we look and how we look to others?

Let's see, how many cows did God trade for us...