Am I Beautiful Enough? | A Letter for You

Many beautiful young virgins were gathered so the next queen can be named, and I, a Jewess, became part of King Xerxes’ harem.

I was placed under Hegai’s care.

Riches were all around me.

We were given ointments, special perfumes, cosmetics and other beauty treatments.

I felt so pretty and pampered!

Everything I needed was provided on a silver platter.

But in spite of the luxuries around me, I was still anxious.

Nervous.

Afraid.

Will the King like me?

Am I beautiful enough to be the next queen?

I didn’t know what to expect.

But one thing resonates in my mind, what my cousin Mordecai told me.

“Never tell anyone about your lineage,” he said.

Now after everyone else has come near the king, it was finally my turn to lure him.

And when it’s finally my turn, I didn’t ask for jewelry or gold to impress him unlike what other women did.

I resolved that the King should see the real me, went to him with just my God-given beauty.

To my surprise, the King was so delighted when he laid his eyes on me and set the royal crown on my head. He declared me as queen.

Everyone admired me. My beauty was a feast for everybody.

The king gave a banquet and declared a public holiday to celebrate me.

I was filled with joy!

After some time, a conspiracy against the Jews came about and the King was lured to approve their killings.

That means killing me and my people.

Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, ordering all Jews – young and old, men, women and children – must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated in a single day.

It brought us great mourning.

My heart felt bleeding profusely.

Mordecai got depressed upon hearing this and asked for my help.

I should go to the King and make supplication for my people.

What a bold request!

Appearing before the King without summon will have me killed.

But then, what about my people?

Then my God gave me courage to face King Xerxes.

“If I perish, I perish,” I told Mordecai and myself.

We gathered all the Jews and fasted for three days and three nights.

We prayed and waited for our breakthrough.

And the miracle came!

I found favor in the sight of my King.

I told the king that I was a Jew and asked him to have mercy on me and spare my people.

My heart leaped for joy when the King granted us favor.

Surely, a sovereign God is behind all these.

The Jews were saved from a horrible death.

Our sorrow was turned to joy and dancing.

Our mourning became a celebration.

Everyone was feasting and exchanging gifts!

It was a special day to remember.

Again, I felt happy.

We were so grateful – what a miracle!

May our story, my story give you encouragement.

If you’re also experiencing a difficult situation, pause and pray.

Turn your attention to God. Delight in Him

He is listening.

He is merciful.

His heart is kind.

And then, expect your miracle.