Working with kids, I get lots of questions about my arm. I feel like I’ve heard almost everything before. A couple of weeks ago, one of the kids in my class caught me by surprise with her inquisition.

She was touching my wedding ring and then she suddenly asked, “Did you have one arm when you got married?”

I nodded and smiled, slightly amused. “Yes,” I said. “Like I’ve told you, I was born with one arm. I’ve always been this way.”

“Who are you married to?” she asked.

“His name is Seth.”

She touched my ring again, considering my words. She hesitated, but then finally asked the question she’d been wondering all along: “He still likes you with one arm?”

“Yes,” I said. “He does.”

I am thankful for a husband who not only loves me in spite of my differences, but loves me because of my differences. He loves the person I am because of how I was created. Seth often forgets I have one arm, like I do, but sometimes he notices. Sometimes he tells me how much he loves my little arm. He loves how it gives me determination and passion and strength. He encourages me.

There was a time not so long ago when I thought I’d never get married. I thought I’d never fall in love. Why?

I thought no one could ever love a girl with one arm.

I know it’s silly. I know there are lots of other people in the world with limb differences. I know many of these people have found love and are now happily married.

Still, I thought that because of my different appearance, no man would ever find me attractive. I didn’t really verbalize this thought, but I held it inside my heart to protect myself from what I viewed as inevitable disappointment.

Then Seth came along. What began as a friendship transformed into something much deeper as a crazy season of our lives drew our hearts together. With Seth, God defied my expectations and gave me a gift better than any I could have imagined.

So, how can you tell if he really loves you?

If he really loves you, he won’t just accept you the way you are.

It’s more than that. He’ll love you because of the way you are. He’ll fight for you to stay the way you are. He’ll comment on those characteristics that are unique to you and only you.

If he really loves you, he won’t just tell you that you are beautiful.

He’ll show you that you are beautiful. His actions will speak louder than his words. He’ll treat you in a way that reflects his affections.

If he really loves you, he won’t just push aside your anxieties and insecurities.

He’ll walk through them with you. He’ll be there to listen. He might not understand, but he’ll do everything he can to help. If your relationship is centered in Christ, he’ll gently point you to the cross on a path of healing.

If he really loves you, he will let you and help you be the best version of yourself.

I am thankful for a husband that really loves me. In the end, the best part is knowing that even in those moments I feel most cherished by Seth, that feeling is nothing compared to the love that the Heavenly Father lavishes richly on His children.

At the end of the day, the Father’s love is all that matters. A man won’t complete you. Jesus will.

So no matter what, child of God, never forget… you are onederfully created.

Love,
Becca

Road Trip Rescue Devotional & Family Activities: 20 Devotions for Kids with Ideas to Make Road Trips Fun

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