King Solomon wrote that there is a time for everything - that includes silence. I have discovered that in life there are times when God is silent - testing my faith and my faithfulness. There are also times when I am silent - because I have nothing of real value to add to the conversation. Speaking would only prove the point. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say on that subject. I have learned, through my own folly and humiliation, that great wisdom is often reflected in silence. I often think of the quote from Bambi when Thumper said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all." I'll take a little creative license and say, if you can't say something of value, don't say nothin' at all.
Our culture is full of people who would prove their wisdom by not speaking of things they do not have understanding of or solutions for. Unfortunately, many of those people hold positions of authority and influence. Sadder still is that many of them claim the name of Christ and offer their own understanding instead of the truth and wisdom of God. God forbid that I should become one of them. I am thankful for his correction, and that he gives wisdom to all who ask. "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:5 (NASB)
During the Imagine Campaign we have discussed that God is concerned with our spiritual growth and he doesn't need our money. Well, the truth is, most people don't need my two cents, either. My times of silence often come after I have failed on this point and God reminds me that I need his wisdom or I have nothing to say. So, I spend some time watching, waiting, listening - until God gives me something of value to add to the conversation again.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Words of Encouragement
"The pen is mightier than the sword." (Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Richelieu) Words are powerful. I believe an honest look at history reveals this. Wars and revolutions are begun before a weapon is ever brought to play. Words, written or spoken, have the power to provoke wars and inspire revolutions. Words have the power to change history, to change lives. They can cut someone to the quick, dashing all hope, or they can empower dreams and renew hope.
During lunch with some friends one day, I was asked, "Can you pass the ketchup?" I teasingly replied, "I can do anything." One good friend then commented that she thought I was the one person she knew who that was probably true of. The comment was made in passing, but her words have stayed with me. She reminded me that God has given me the gift of perserverance. I might not enjoy everything I could do, but God has given me the strength, ability and intelligence to pull off pretty much anything I could desire to try. That thought leaves me with a huge feeling of responsibility that I often try not to live under. The point is, her words made an impact.
The most powerful words are those of Jesus. They give life. During Jesus' ministry there came a point when many of His followers decided they couldn't hack it and they left Him. He asked His best friends if they, too, were going to leave him. "Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.'" John 6:68 (NASB) Jesus sent me as His follower on a mission with the words of eternal life.
My big question, what impact do my words make? I find that people encourage me all the time. I hear people encouraging others around me quite frequently. I too often say things I shouldn't, but God has reminded me frequently of late that I don't say what I should often enough. I have opportunity to influence at least one person with the words of Jesus every week. I think lots of positive things about the people I am privileged to work and serve with, but I rarely voice them. Maybe I think they don't need it. Maybe I am afraid of sounding fake - I'm not an effusive person by nature.
Words have power and I am going to perservere until I use that power well. I am determined to become an effective encourager - to those who are along for the journey of faith and for those who have yet to leave the darkness and join the fight to overcome it.
During lunch with some friends one day, I was asked, "Can you pass the ketchup?" I teasingly replied, "I can do anything." One good friend then commented that she thought I was the one person she knew who that was probably true of. The comment was made in passing, but her words have stayed with me. She reminded me that God has given me the gift of perserverance. I might not enjoy everything I could do, but God has given me the strength, ability and intelligence to pull off pretty much anything I could desire to try. That thought leaves me with a huge feeling of responsibility that I often try not to live under. The point is, her words made an impact.
The most powerful words are those of Jesus. They give life. During Jesus' ministry there came a point when many of His followers decided they couldn't hack it and they left Him. He asked His best friends if they, too, were going to leave him. "Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.'" John 6:68 (NASB) Jesus sent me as His follower on a mission with the words of eternal life.
My big question, what impact do my words make? I find that people encourage me all the time. I hear people encouraging others around me quite frequently. I too often say things I shouldn't, but God has reminded me frequently of late that I don't say what I should often enough. I have opportunity to influence at least one person with the words of Jesus every week. I think lots of positive things about the people I am privileged to work and serve with, but I rarely voice them. Maybe I think they don't need it. Maybe I am afraid of sounding fake - I'm not an effusive person by nature.
Words have power and I am going to perservere until I use that power well. I am determined to become an effective encourager - to those who are along for the journey of faith and for those who have yet to leave the darkness and join the fight to overcome it.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
A Leap of Faith
After a month of marriage, and a little prompting from my friend, Michael, I am ready to update the story. Married for a month. Wow! It doesn't seem like it has been that long already. Time really does fly when you're having fun! The honeymoon, planned entirely by my husband, was fantastic - a carefree week in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming driving a red covertible mustang.
On the one hand, marriage is normal - pretty much everybody does it. It's also a sure thing when you do it God's way. On the other hand, it is a leap of faith. Lots of marriages fail - even among Christ followers divorce is shockingly common. Couples who everyone thinks have the "perfect marriage" go under all too regularly. One person or the other just decides to give up. Sometimes circumstances feel overwhelming and it's just too hard to be responsible for taking care of another person. Whatever the reason, everyone has a choice. Martina McBride's song Anyway talks about this. "You can love someone with all your heart, for all the right reasons, and in a moment they can choose to walk away. Love them anyway." That's powerful. Marriage is the ultimate vulnerability.
This past month, which has been crazy - trying to settle in at home, getting the hay in on the farms and still spending quality time together - has only increased my love for this wonderful man God has given me. He is truly a prince among men - a rare find. I know myself all too well and I know that I don't deserve how God has blessed me, but I do believe that He has honored my waiting. There are a lot of things that I have not done well in life, but in this one thing I have been very intentional and patient and have pursued God's best by actively waiting on His plan.
In this month of marital bliss, I have discovered the princess in me in new ways. A wise woman once told me that a godly husband would work to bring out the femininity that God put in my heart, and I have found this to be true. I also have found something that my warrior heart can fight for passionately - my husband. What does the battle look like? Sometimes it's washing his work shirts or fixing his lunch, sometimes it's listening to his frustration over the hay crop that wasn't as good as he wanted it be and sometimes it's just telling him that I love him.
So, this leap of faith called marriage - it's a good one! With the vulnerability also comes security - the knowledge that we won't be one of the shocking stories of failure. He knows all my dirt and he loves me. He's a lot like God. Actually, he is a daily reminder of how God loves me - unconditionally. Wow!
On the one hand, marriage is normal - pretty much everybody does it. It's also a sure thing when you do it God's way. On the other hand, it is a leap of faith. Lots of marriages fail - even among Christ followers divorce is shockingly common. Couples who everyone thinks have the "perfect marriage" go under all too regularly. One person or the other just decides to give up. Sometimes circumstances feel overwhelming and it's just too hard to be responsible for taking care of another person. Whatever the reason, everyone has a choice. Martina McBride's song Anyway talks about this. "You can love someone with all your heart, for all the right reasons, and in a moment they can choose to walk away. Love them anyway." That's powerful. Marriage is the ultimate vulnerability.
This past month, which has been crazy - trying to settle in at home, getting the hay in on the farms and still spending quality time together - has only increased my love for this wonderful man God has given me. He is truly a prince among men - a rare find. I know myself all too well and I know that I don't deserve how God has blessed me, but I do believe that He has honored my waiting. There are a lot of things that I have not done well in life, but in this one thing I have been very intentional and patient and have pursued God's best by actively waiting on His plan.
In this month of marital bliss, I have discovered the princess in me in new ways. A wise woman once told me that a godly husband would work to bring out the femininity that God put in my heart, and I have found this to be true. I also have found something that my warrior heart can fight for passionately - my husband. What does the battle look like? Sometimes it's washing his work shirts or fixing his lunch, sometimes it's listening to his frustration over the hay crop that wasn't as good as he wanted it be and sometimes it's just telling him that I love him.
So, this leap of faith called marriage - it's a good one! With the vulnerability also comes security - the knowledge that we won't be one of the shocking stories of failure. He knows all my dirt and he loves me. He's a lot like God. Actually, he is a daily reminder of how God loves me - unconditionally. Wow!
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Journey Begins
I have put this off for quite some time, for two reasons. First, I hate journaling. I don't like to go back and read what I was thinking who knows when in whatever circumstances. It's usually depressing to find out that I really haven't made any progress. Second, I'm always afraid that someone else will read what I wrote! I have burned almost every journal I ever kept for fear that someone would pick up a random notebook and decide to take a peak. I have spent most of my 28 years attempting to hide my inner self from a cruel world. I am motivated by reading the blogs of a bunch of people who I find are much like myself, who also reserve the real them for a very few, who are making the move toward transparency.
As to the title, that is the real me. A princess, a daughter of the King of Kings. Anyone who knows me will tell you that doesn't mean I'm all that "feminine" in the most thought of sense of the word. I'm not into hair, nails and makeup. I try to take care of myself and present myself attractively, but I'd much rather be farming or fishing (at least since I started dating a farmer who happens to own a lake!) I've worked construction and groundskeeping and loved it, and neither of those professions help with keeping great skin and pretty nails! I have discovered, however, a different definition of feminity. The book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge has been very instrumental in redefining my view of my own worth and beauty. Part of my beauty is the warrior in me. The fiercely loyal, staunchly dedicated, ready to fight for whatever needs fighting for me. I haven't figured out what to do with her, yet. That is the journey.
As to the title, that is the real me. A princess, a daughter of the King of Kings. Anyone who knows me will tell you that doesn't mean I'm all that "feminine" in the most thought of sense of the word. I'm not into hair, nails and makeup. I try to take care of myself and present myself attractively, but I'd much rather be farming or fishing (at least since I started dating a farmer who happens to own a lake!) I've worked construction and groundskeeping and loved it, and neither of those professions help with keeping great skin and pretty nails! I have discovered, however, a different definition of feminity. The book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge has been very instrumental in redefining my view of my own worth and beauty. Part of my beauty is the warrior in me. The fiercely loyal, staunchly dedicated, ready to fight for whatever needs fighting for me. I haven't figured out what to do with her, yet. That is the journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)