Don't Go Changin'

"Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel

Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are

Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care

I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take 'till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you.

I said I love you, and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are.

Only in Christ can one know true love. However, that sweet, sweet song provides an example of how our love of others should look.
In the way of encouragement: There ARE people who will love you for who you are, the way that you are. I'm not just talking about Mr. or Ms. Right. I mean friends, family, etc. What you see as a liability, may be an asset. You know, one man's trash is another man's treasure. I was told for years that I would have to learn to be quiet when I got married, because "no man would want to hear all of that talking." Recently, I met a brother who commented that he really ENJOYS hearing me talk. He wasn't mackin'. He wasn't trying to impress me. I'm sure he had no idea about what a blessing his comment was. Just ask Sally Field. It's an incredible feeling to realize that "They like me. They really like me!!" We all know women who detest certain aspects of their physique. I have several male friends who think that those despised figure "flaws" are actually their wife's BEST asset. The same is true of most of our areas of insecurity. Of course, there is a balance. Some of our less-loved issues that we excuse by saying, "That's just me" are actually rooted in sin-- physically in overeating or spiritually in pride. However, I'm learning that although sin issues must be dealt with, personality traits that are not sin-linked need only be tempered. Who knows, someone may love you more for it.