"Esther used her feminine charms in a godly way to win favor with the King and those around her on a daily basis."  (Carolyn Betts, Indianapolis, IN; from www.womensministry.net Weekly 8/16/07)

Remember the story of Esther?  She was placed in a Persian Beauty Contest by her uncle.  The prize?  Being crowned as queen of the whole country!

Today, we see a negative view of feminine wiles on t.v.  Women are portrayed as manipulative or possessive or too assertive.  Is it possible to use our feminine charms in a godly way?

I think we are honoring God every time we use our skills to help others.  If we're good with numbers, then we can keep the checkbook balanced.  If we can handle a lawn mower, then we can do yardwork.  But the key is in our attitudes.

What does it take to have God-honoring attitudes?

• Humility.  I Peter 5:5 says we are to clothe ourselves with humble attitudes toward one another.
• Positive outlook.  Proverbs 4:23, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
• A desire to better things around us.  Titus 3:14 encourages us to learn to devote ourselves to doing what is good.

As I seek to be more like Queen Esther than her predecessor, Queen Vashti, I pray the Lord will instill a graciousness within me that will outshine the negative stereotypes that bombard us daily.  According to I Peter 3:4, that is the kind of beauty that will never fade!