She's Not Her Either.

The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,

but they cannot compare with the 

wings and feathers of the stork.

Job 39:13 (NIV)

That verse may sound as perplexing as the title of this post.

I'm not sure that I can even grasp the meaning of the verse myself, but you can perhaps gain better understanding of the title by reading my prior entry here.

I'm not her...that perfect woman.

And in reality, she's not either.

No matter how sparkly our smiles are on Sunday morning...or at Ladies Bible Study...or at the company picnic...or at the neighborhood swimming pool, each of us carry some amount of heartache within.

Why do we compare ourselves to others? 

Why do we pack up our emotional belongings and head out on a trip to LessThanLand?

Why do we assume that her life is pure sunshine?

Why do we put pressure on her to live up to the standards we constructed in our minds? She carries her own burdens and insecurities without our aid in heaping them on.

I've been on both sides of the fence. Peering at others, wishing my grass was as green. And being looked upon as the one with lush gardens.

Either way, it's wrong. It's unfair.

Oh that we could see ourselves and her through the eyes of One who truly sees.

We are treasured possessions of the Creator of the universe (Deut. 7:6), the One who knows our every thought and Whose thoughts of us are too numerous to count. (Psalm 139:2,18). We all are loved with an unfailing love, a love so great that He would allow His own Son to be sacrificed on our behalf. (John 3:16)

Each of us falls victim to the reality that "In this world you will have trouble." And likewise to the future hope that we "take heart [because He has] overcome the world." (John 16:33)

So let's pray for one another. Let's give ourselves and her a break. Let's cut the cords of comparison.

Whether we are "ostriches" or "storks," we are all in need of the Savior and His loving mercy and grace. And He has poured it out for us in abundance. Let's follow His example and do the same.

I'm praying for your wings of freedom to "flap joyfully" today! Also praying that if you find yourself "earthbound" that He will set your heart on higher ground. You are loved!

Wednesday Worship~Hold On! Joy Will Come!

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)

 

Monday Meditation~Hold On For the Joy That's Coming!

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God;

 He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to thousand generations

 of those who love Him and keep His commands.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:24 (NIV)

Weeping may remain for a night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5b

My prayer for you today is for sweet remembrance of His love, faith in trusting Him for the future, and for joy to be in sight! Hold on! Our God is faithful!

I Am Not Her

The LORD your God has chosen you...to be His people, His treasured possession."

Deuteronomy 7:6b (NIV)

She's perfect.

Her hair is. No frizz. The ringlets fall in spirals. Her tresses flow like silk. The shade enhances the beauty of her skin...

Which is flawless. No blemishes. No age spots. Not a wrinkle to be found, except those darlin' little laugh lines that surround her perfect smile.

Her body is toned and beautifully tanned.

And her wardrobe...classic...sophisticated...or trendy and cute. She can pull off any style.

Not only is she a beauty, but she is savvy and smart. No task is her master.

She is the queen of hospitality. She whips up delightful fare in effortless fashion and serves it to the masses with elegance and grace.

She is the consummate wife and mother. There's only laughter in her home. Never an angry word or raised voice. She's even seen as "cool" in the eyes of her teenagers.

Her home is spotless. Dust bunnies don't know her address.

Even the lawn is impeccable. Her gardens lush, a paradise with the perfect combination of sun and shade. Always smelling of gardenias and jasmine.

And I am not her.

The good news is that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," and the One whose beholding matters calls us His "treasured possession."

"The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were [perfect, cute, or have an immaculate house (KOV-Kristi's Own Version)]. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers....keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands." Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (NIV)

When we walk past the mirror, it is my prayer that we see a beautiful, beloved, daughter of the King...chosen, gifted, and called by Him..."a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor" (Isaiah 61:3b), not our own.

Wednesday Worship~I Lift My Eyes Up

I lift my eyes up to the mountains-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

Oh, how we need the LORD. He is our only hope. He is our only prayer. Praying we all lift our eyes to Him today.

Monday Meditation~Looking Up?

Psalm 121 (NIV)

A Song of Ascents

I lift up my eyes to the mountains-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

He who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, He who watches over Israel 

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you-

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night

The LORD will keep you from all harm-

He will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming 

and going

both now and forevermore.

Lord, we lift our eyes to You today. You, our Maker, are our constant help. You know our every need. We trust You to meet our needs according to Your plan. Be our protection today and forever. We thank You for your presence and your constant watch over us. Oh, how we praise You for Your great love, a love that never fails. Your grace and mercy are beyond measure. We love You, LORD.

Wednesday Worship~Hallelujah, We Will Sing!

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Psalm 95:1 (NIV)

Eternity will be filled with boundless praise as we worship our LORD forever! Are you ready?

Monday Meditation~Sing and Shout!

Psalm 95:1-7 (NIV)

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD:

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before Him with thanksgiving

and extol Him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God,

the great King above all gods.

In His hand are the depths of the earth,

and the mountain peaks belong to Him.

The sea is His, for He made it,

and His hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship,

let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

For He is our God

and we are the people of His pasture,

the flock under His care.

Let's lift up songs of joy and shouts of praise to the LORD, our Rock, our God, our King, the Creator, our Maker, our shepherd today! Oh, how He loves us!

Running in the Rain

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

I gazed out the window. The rain waffled between pouring down in perpendicular sheets and diagonal deluges. Chin resting in my palm, the desire to do anything productive seemed to rush with the water to the storm drain.

And then a runner passed.

His devotion and persistence captured me.

I want that.

All too often I get distracted by circumstances, situations, even people that cloud my perspective. 

Hindered. Entangled. 

And my passion wanes.

But I'm reminded to "...fix [my] eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of [my] faith," to lace up my running shoes and get back in the race. 

For Him.

And there's the victory.

Praying for showers of blessing in your life today,

Wednesday Worship~The Treasure of His Word

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. John 1:14 (NIV)

Praying His treasures for you today, 

Monday Meditation~Delighting in His Decrees

Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to Your Word.

I seek You with all my heart;

do not let me stray from Your commands.

I have hidden Your Word in my heart

that I might not sin against You.

Praise be to You, O LORD;

teach me Your decrees.

With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth.

I rejoice in following Your statutes

as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on Your precepts

and consider Your ways.

I delight in Your decrees;

I will not neglect Your Word.

Praying sweet delighting for you today!