受寵、疼愛 Being Favored and Loved
      舊約聖經＜以斯帖記＞：以斯帖是個孤兒。父母去世後，以斯帖被好心的堂兄末底改收留了。末底改年紀比她大很多，將她帶回家當女兒撫養＜以斯帖記2: 5-7, 15＞。一天，波斯帝國澤克西斯王擺設盛宴，以佳餚美酒，款待貴族群臣，席間，他召美麗的王后瓦實提前來。可是，瓦實提正於另一個地方為婦女設宴，不肯前來。這令澤克西斯王非常氣憤，感覺受到羞辱，就問謀臣該如何處罰王后。結果，瓦實提王后被廢。之後，國王的侍從就到全國各地，物色年輕貌美的處女，讓國王從中挑選一個做新王后。這時，末底改的堂妹以斯帖，已經從一個小女孩，長成婷婷玉立的少女了。長大後的以斯帖，是個美女，外表漂亮，惹人喜愛，但智慧以及謙卑的態度，沒有缺少。以斯帖發現，她被帶到一個完全陌生的世界，置身於很多少女當中，這些少女是從波斯帝國各地招聚來的。負責照管少女的，是叫希該的官員。接下來的一年裡，她們會接受許多美容護理，包括用香膏按摩身體＜以斯帖記2: 8, 12＞。這樣的環境和生活方式，很容易讓少女們過度關注自己的外表，助長她們的驕傲與競爭。以斯帖很低調，希該很喜歡她，對她愛護備至。聖經說：「凡看見以斯帖的人，都很喜愛她。」＜以斯帖記2: 9, 15＞。當以斯帖謁見國王的時候，她可以向國王索求她需要的東西，但是，除了希該提到的之外，以斯帖別無所求。在波斯宮廷裡，謙卑的精神，尤其難能可貴。聖經說：「國王愛以斯帖勝過愛其他少女。她在國王面前，得蒙恩寵，備受愛護。國王把后冠戴在她頭上，立她為王后，代替瓦實提」＜以斯帖記2: 17＞。
     受寵 (Being Favored) 通常是指在特定的環境或場合中，得到特別的待遇或關注，這種待遇往往是基於個人的地位、功績或其他因素而給予的。例如，一個成功的企業家，在商業圈中是很有影響力的，因此，他會受到其他人的寵愛和重視。疼愛 (Being Loved) 是一種更加深厚的感情，出於對一個人的愛和關心，所給予的特殊關注和照顧。在舊約聖經＜以斯帖記＞中，以斯帖受國王的寵愛，末底改則是疼愛以斯帖。在這種關係中，疼愛是一種互相的感受，表現為彼此的關懷和愛護。寵愛是對某人特別關注，基於對對方的欣賞、喜愛和依賴，願意給超過尋常對待的愛護和照顧。疼愛是一種積極的情感體現，帶來溫暖和幸福，能夠尊重對方的需求和感受，不會過度保護，或干涉對方的自由，是以關懷和支持的方式，幫助對方成長和發展的。
     受寵與疼愛，就是寵愛 (Love)。寵愛是一種積極的力量，可建立親密和持久的關係，與關懷、照顧、尊重和支持等連結。然而，要得到別人的寵愛，就要先寵愛自己 (Love Ourselves)。寵愛自己是一種態度，一種生活方式，一種以自己為出發點的角度，使自己心靈獲得滿足與健康，且不讓周圍的人擔心的表現。現在的我們，處於養尊處優的環境，看待事件，常常很多元。愛自己，就是要活得有尊嚴，很快樂。要愛自己的優點，也要愛自己缺點。要愛自己的脂肪，也要愛自己身體的每個毛孔。每天，我們都要和身體談戀愛，重視我們自己的身體，常常跟身體對話，愛自己身體的每個器官與內在。愛自己，就是要對自己好一點！在我們的生活中，常常有太多的事情要擔心：家庭、工作及各式各樣的責任等，我們因而總是常常忘記留點時間給自己。所以，寵愛自己，就是要讓自己睡飽一點，喝足一點，跟朋友去聚會，去旅行，去購物，去登山，上健身課程等。去做自己覺得很有趣的事，並享受做事時的每分每秒。
     我們要相信寵愛(Believe in Love)。寵愛自己，才能得到別人的寵愛。我們一定要相信自己是被寵愛的。只要我們相信自己是被寵愛的，即使宇宙沒有的愛，都會被我們創造出來。被寵愛的力量，是非常強大的。當我們感受到別人對我們的愛與欣賞時，我們會感到自信、快樂和安心。被寵愛的感覺，會激發我們的動力，使我們更有信心地去追求自己的夢想和目標。被寵愛的力量，可以給我們帶來更多的機會和成功。因為人們會願意與他們欣賞和喜愛的人合作和交往，因而，我們會受到別人的青睞，增加我們的影響力，讓我們創造更多的機會和成功。然而，被寵愛的我們，也需要保持謙遜和感激，永遠感謝與記得支持我們的人，永遠保持真誠和誠實，永遠感激不盡。
     Bible, The Old Testament, “The Book of Esther”: Esther’s birth name was Hadassah. She was of the tribe of Benjamin and lived during the time Israel was exiled. Tragically, Esther was orphaned at an early age. After her parents died, she was adopted by her cousin, named Mordecai. Mordecai loved Esther dearly and raised her well in the face of dreadful circumstances. Esther lived with Mordecai in Susa City under the rule of King Xerxes of Persia. For a full 180 days, the King displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty (“Esther” 1:4-5). During the King’s banquet, he summoned his queen to show off her beauty to his guests, but she refused. King Xerxes was infuriated by Queen Vashti. Upon consulting the experts in law and justice, a royal decree was issued: “Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the King. Let the King appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the King’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the young woman who pleases the King be queen instead of Vashti” (“Esther” 2:2-4). Once the edict was declared, they started taking the young virgins.
Esther was not only beautiful but a woman of honor. In his quest for a new queen, the King was dishonoring countless young women, stripping them of their virginity, and casting them aside to the rank of concubine. Although Esther had no control over what was happening to her, she took control of her responses with humility and grace. During the 12 months that Esther was put through the beauty treatments required, it was her character that gained the favor of those in authority.
When her turn came to be brought before the King, she was allowed to bring whatever she wanted with her to garner favor. She asked for nothing other than what Hegai suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her (“Esther” 2:15). Esther’s character paved the way for her, and she became queen. Now the King was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. (“Esther” 2:17-18)
     Look at the story of Esther. When King Xerxes was looking for a new queen, the most beautiful women in the land were all brought into the palace. All the women were given the opportunity to adorn themselves. But Esther “requested nothing but what Hegai, the King’s eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised.” And the results are: “Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her,” and the King “loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen” (“Esther” 2:17). While the other women grabbed the best garments, perfumes and accessories to beautify themselves, Esther did not rely on her own abilities but submitted herself to Hegai. There was so much wisdom and humility in her decision. She did not trust in her own efforts. Esther wisely submitted to the one person who would know the King’s preferences best, and the results speak for themselves. Esther did not have to struggle. When she rested in the Lord and humbled herself, the Lord promoted her and exalted her above all the other beautiful women. God resists the proud and gives unmerited favor to the humble. When the Lord promotes us, He gives us the influence to be a blessing to the people around us. There are no coincidences, only God-incidents. The Lord will bless us always!
     As long as we believe that we are loved, even the love that the universe does not have will be created by us. It’s so strong and powerful! The power of being loved and appreciated is incredibly mighty. When we feel that people love and admire us, we feel confident, happy, and at ease. This feeling can motivate us and give us the confidence to pursue our dreams and goals. The power of being loved and appreciated can also bring more opportunities and success. People are more likely to collaborate and engage with those they admire and love, so being in favor of others can increase our influence. However, the power of being loved and appreciated also requires us to remain humble and grateful. We should always remember those who support us and be thankful for their help and support. We should also remain sincere and honest, and treat the love with humility and gratitude forever. 

Powered by Firstory Hosting