The Gifts We Don't Notice

I think that when we have difficult times, or see others going through hardship, it is easy to demand of God, "Why?!" and to rebel against what is happening. We ask Him for blessings, and we praise Him for the gifts He gives us-as long as they are happy, bright ones.

What would change if we lived the knowledge that everything we have is a gift? And I mean Everything. Even the lost chances, the impossibles, the weariness, the going on and on without an end in sight...

I tend to forget that my very existence is a gift. I, a tiny speck of dust in the Hand of God, do not deserve to have ever lived, much less experienced the countless beauties this life has already held. When I feel that my life is bleak and empty, I must choose to remember that even that bleakness is a gift! Even the tears are treasures.

With this earthly heart I cannot begin to see beyond and grasp the reasons things happen the way they do. Yet there seems to be hope in knowing there is, after all, a reason. Which is also a Gift!

"...But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 

-from 2 Corinthians 4

Undeniably Single- a guest post by Kayla

I have the pleasure of sharing an excellent article written by my dear friend, Kayla. This subject is probably one of the most frequently considered among young women. It is important, however, that while we cherish the desires God has given us, we also seek to glorify Him while waiting productively for Him to reveal His will regarding that particular dream, redeeming our time which He has given.

I hope you will enjoy reading about a proposed reaction to being...

Undeniably Single

I have chosen the subject of singleness to write on today because I have noticed a general misconception that I have felt led to reconsider.

For young Christian women who are high school graduates, expert seamstresses, masters at culinary art, housecleaning extraordinaires, walking childcare encyclopedias, and wonderful mother's helpers... what now? We are 19, 20, and 21, we are ready to be married and start a family of our own, equipped to strike out on life's journey, prepared to leave and cleave to our husband... if we could only find him.

Almost every girl I know is Undeniably Single. No prospects, no lookers, no hope.

So, where are all the men?

Let's take a step back and ask ourselves what kind of men we're looking for. As young Christian women, we each have a list of requirements (whether we realize it or not). If you've read Voddie Baucham's What He Must Be... If He Wants to Marry My Daughter, your list of requirements may include:

-Priest

-Prophet

-Provider

-Protector

Let's look at the first requirement. He must be our priest, able to lead us in the Word of God, teach, and disciple us in Scripture reading. In order to be able to do this for a wife, he must be able to do this for himself. This quality is something that is cared for, nurtured, strengthened, and finally put to the test when the man, himself, believes he is ready.

Requirement number two is Prophet. He must be wise enough in his interpretations of the Scriptures that he makes appropriate life choices and accurately applies the Word to his life. This, too, takes time and care.

Third is Provider. This is obvious, considering our generally accepted (amongst Christian/homeschool families) philosophy that the men should provide, and the women should handle the home. Most men pursuing higher education will obtain their degrees somewhere around the ages of 22-26. They will also probably need to pay off their schooling, get a job, and save enough money to secure the necessary things in life (such as housing and car). Though there are exceptions, I think we should remember that it will be difficult for guys younger than 24-28 to be ready to provide for us. 

Finally, we've gotten to Protector. I think most men who fit the rest of these requirements are going to have this one down pat. (Because one of those requirements is, “Owns at least ten guns and has his Concealed Carry Permit,” right?!) While firearms are useful, a true protector also uses wisdom and discretion on a daily basis, in the decisions of life that affect his family and I believe he should be confident in his ability to do so.

What is my reason for rambling on so? Simply because we girls feel we are ready to get married now, does not mean the men are. We have probably all heard many times about using our singleness to glorify God, so I will not reiterate that in my own words. However, it's clear that marriages founded on little maturity are not pleasing to God. In my opinion, it is presumptuous to expect the men in our lives to begin “looking” until they are ready – until they have mastered the qualities that we require of them.

Do we not look down upon men who play with girls' emotions but are in no way ready to commit to marriage? Why, then, do we not hold “uninterested” men in higher regard for keeping themselves focused on developing the above listed qualities before expressing interest in a relationship deeper than friendship? We should not stand on our pedestal and condemn the men who “play around” and then also condemn the men who “don't seem to even notice us”.

Furthermore, (and perhaps most importantly) are we content with the life God has given us RIGHT NOW? Are we content that we are able to focus on becoming the kind of woman that God has required of us, whether that eventually ends in marriage or not?

Though many of us girls have been to taught the skills of a homemaker so that we will be ready for our husbands, I firmly believe that we should not be learning these things because we assume that marriage is in our future. Instead, I propose that we perfect these qualities so we are able to serve others. Let us strive to improve and give of ourselves for the glorification of God and the betterment of others. Whether it is to our husband or a stranger we meet outside of Walmart, we should be equally willing to assist them in any way possible; they should both be an equally strong desire within our hearts. Because, if God does not lead any men to pursue us, how will we respond?

Be Still and Know

Trust. 

5 letters.

Why, who, what, where, when, and how?

When I made the difficult decision to leave my former job, I was hopeful, even confident, that a new position would become evident within days. I applied, interviewed, and pursued all positions that I qualified for. (and yes, even some that I didn't really qualify for! But hey, let's face it, you'll never know if you don't ask. ;)

Yet here I am, weeks later, still without a job to my name.

It has been a bumpy road. I've clung to Worry because I did not know Trust. Though it wasn't clear at first, I see how God used these last few weeks to teach me-again-what it means to trust.

So why trust? Maybe because the alternative relies not on God, but on self. Worry does not lead us to Christ. Through worry we fall farther into pride and sinful ways of finding freedom from our fear. Trust loosens our grip, turns our eyes to the Lord, and tunes our hearts to hear His voice. 

Trust who? Where sin lies, imperfect motives and actions follow. We humans try to be trustworthy, but the truth is we fail. Not only do we fail, but we are not able to do all or know all. Only one who is sinless and possesses all power is worthy to be trusted. Fully. Therefore, I trust in God. He created Trust and knows the meaning of it. 

What is worth trusting? If God is trustworthy, then the truth He created is also. I can depend on everything He has said, and everything He will say, because it is True. There are many things that masquerade as the truth, especially lies that I create in an effort to mask worry with my human abilities. When my knowledge of God gives birth to my trust of Him, I will see the lies as they are. His Truth cannot be hidden, cannot be denied. 

Where is trust? Is God limited? Is His Truth limited? Is there any corner of the world, any corner of my mind, of my life, that is kept from His eyes and where the Truth may not go? There is none. Where God is, there Trust follows. I can trust Him for everything in my life, with everything in me.

Will trust expire? God holds Time in His hand, for He created Time. When God ends, so will trust. Yet He is eternal and neither will Trust. It is like a boat upon an ocean that goes on and on, a boat which will never sink. I can choose to jump in and out of it, but if I stay in that boat, it will carry me forever. It is guided by God. Trust in God has stood the test of time.

And now for the ultimate question: however does one trust God? I think I've asked this question more than any of the others. I don't have a job yet, and my stomach still wants to tie in knots. Sometimes I want to cry in pain and frustration. I still want to run out and demand a job. But after these last weeks, I've come to the following determination:

Trust is the abandonment of worry. It's letting go of your imperfect ability to swim that ocean, and it's making the decision to climb into the boat. God gave us many talents, skills, and abilities. We think we can save ourselves from any problem, little or big, with those gifts! But we forget so easily that they are gifts. We did not receive them by our own merit. All we have is Grace. 

It's my prayer that from now on, instead of blindly jumping back into worry and swimming it out, I will remember that there is a boat just ahead, waiting to bear me peacefully through any storm or challenge. That boat is called Trust and its Maker is called Jehovah Jireh-my provider.

www.freepik.com

Linked up at:

http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-108/

A Giveaway Worth Entering: ‘Evidence Not Seen’ by Darlene Rose

Happy weekend! Do any of you have fun plans for it?

If you have a few minutes, you should hop on over to Deep Roots at Home and enter this drawing for 'Evidence Not Seen' by Darlene Rose. While I have not personally read this book, it sounds like it is an amazing challenge to higher faith, and a beautiful portrayal of God's mercies and the loyalty of one woman to His calling.

So what are you waiting for?! Here's the link...who knows, you might just win? And even if you don't, it still gives you something to do. :)

http://www.deeprootsathome.com/evidence-not-seen-by-darlene-rose-book-giveaway/#comment-16209

Smile of God

His smile is like a warm summer day

A breeze, a blossom fair

The kiss of Hope in heart of mine

A blessing I can share

His smile, though I’ve never seen it

Must be like friend’s embrace

And I feel it as much upon my soul,

as if I see it on His face

Lived

The summer night is waning

And all is said and done

Another sailing into port

With the setting of the sun

Above, the sky, a sea of gold

Below, an earth of stone

The morning’s new is now night’s old

Another block’s been sewn

One thing to know before I lull—

Did I use each breath?

For if I truly gave my all

Then there is nothing left

And God can write upon my chart

Tomorrow’s orders plain

Not muffled by a half-done heart

But clearly ordained

-Petra 

copyright 2013

God's Hand

Oh, the depth of wisdom and joy with which God created the world. Of wisdom, that we might know Him through His creation and of joy, that we might feel His smile.

Clear Creek Canyon, Golden 

Smile!

Do you know how much good it can do? Simple and momentary, but able to create a lasting impression. It has the power to comfort, to heal, to communicate care and warmth, love and encouragement. The value of this can’t be measured. It costs nothing to give, but means the world to him who receives it. What is it?

 

A Smile.

 

I love smiles. Given purely and selflessly, they are like a hug, or arms outstretched in welcome, a quiet conversation, a joyous reunion. Some of my most treasured memories are of the smiles I have been offered.

 

You can do a world of good just by smiling at someone. All day, every day. Show them you care, show them God cares, by smiling. It won’t just make them feel better, either…a cheerful heart is like a cure to its bearer.

 

Smile at your Mama, the clerk at Wal-Mart, the neighbor driving by, the homeless lady on the park bench, just smile! Rejoice in God’s beauty and His love, and share His life with others. Even if you think it’s a dinky offering, I can assure you that it is not.

 

A pure smile is a treasure too valuable to keep hidden.