As I wrote the following article I realized that we cover the things that we value. For example, a really expensive car will often have a cover. A lot of guys will cover their bar-b-que grill. A cover provides protection.

Multiple sources have shared the following story as told by Hana Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali. On this particular occasion, she and her sister were admittedly dressed rather immodestly when they arrived at their father’s home. This an excellent story for fathers, which is why I share it here:

When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.”

He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

To all the men who read this article,

Care about the women in your life! Care about them enough to share the central truth of this story with them: You are far more precious than diamonds and pearls. Tell them, “I love you and want to protect you. Don’t give yourself away – you are worth far too much. Any man that wants your time, attention, and affection should work for it! Don’t give it away. You are worth more than gold!”

The definition of a cover is “something that surrounds another object, especially in order to protect or conceal it.” Men, how are doing as a cover for the women in your life? If you care for them, you will protect them.

“Be watchful. Stand firm in the faith. Act like men. Be strong.” – I Corinthians 16:13