The Knight in Shining Armor

So its shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I'm short! Yep, I accepted that fact a long long time ago. A "short" history of my vertical challengeness (if thats a word) Well, it really is a short story, basically I was 4'6" until my sophomore year of High School, when by a miracle I sprouted one foot! Yay! Ever since then I've been 5'6" with little hope of further growth. I'm not just short, but also small/skinny, weighing a mere 140 punds, most of which was gained by eating the wonderful polynesian food in Hawaii. Anyway, I was frequently bullied as a child and took my smallness quite personally, but eventually I grew out of it and just learned to laugh at it. Except, in the past few weeks my size has been brought up quite a few times in relation to my chances in dating. Most recently I was denied the opportunity to dance an extra time in a competition, for which I readily volunteered, because I was too short, even though I was the same size as the girl. Kind of frustrating to say the least... actually it sometimes is a cause of stress for me.

Why is height such an important factor in ranking among men? I think quite often women really are looking for that "Knight in Shining Armor" when they first look for datable guys. I can't fully speak for women, because I'm not one, but I have some really close female friends who've talked openly about this with me, and I've come to learn that women want someone who they know can protect them and look out for them. Psychologically that often is first equated with someone strong and tall who can be a Knight!

Now, I'm not going to sit and challenge women, because the principle of judging on the outward appearance is a sin we are all guilty of. Men often go for the first "blond haired, blue-eyed" princess. What we need to learn to do is judge as the Lord does. "For theLord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." This is such a hard thing to do, but as we pray to the Lord we can find the power to see all as children of God! I will admit that I'm saying this in part because of my experience of being pre-judged because of my size, but also because it is something that I need to work on!

I've always tried to treat women with the highest respect and honor. The honor they deserve is beyond that of rubies and diamonds. One of the Apostles said that of all of God's creations He saved His greatest for last, woman. I know that to be true and have tried to stick with that always. But even still I've caught myself judging women sometimes by how "attracted" I am to them for which I am eternally sorrowful. Thankfully, the Lord has softened my heart during these times and as I've opened my heart and eyes to see the daughter of God in every woman, I've made some wonderful friends and had some wonderful date experiences that I would not have otherwise had.

Now again that was a dating example of this principle, but it is something that I think we could all do a little bit better in all that we do. Whether it be loving the person that doesn't have the most modest of clothes on, or the person that can always seem to say things that rub people in just the wrong way. I hope and pray that I can do better. I will add a plea though on behalf of some of the not "Knights in Shining Armor." Women, please give us a chance. Its intimidating enough as it is to have to go up and ask a girl out, and it is even harder when you aren't the ideal macho guy. Most of those otherwise looked over guys have had to develop a heart of gold because they didn't spend their time worrying about their bodies. And I promise, at least for myself, to be even more respectful to every girl I meet!