~~FEMININE MATTERS~~

I'M JUST GIDDY

When I started blogging in 2006, I had no idea who I'd meet in blogland.  Fear, anxiety, excitement and caution danced as partners in my mind as I met people in cyberspace.  One particular blogger has followed me from day one.  She was a complete stranger.  Yet, she encouraged me and prayed for me.  Through the four years we've known one another, she has mailed me care packages filled with CD's, books, tote bags and other friendship goodies.  She means the world to me.  Today we talked on the phone for the very first time.  Don't know why we've never done that before.  But for whatever reason, we haven't.  And today was such a blessing!

I could finally hear the voice and match her up to all the emails and correspondence we've had through the years.  I could now hear the humor in her messages.  I could hear her LOL and ROFLOL.  It was a great experience.  Someday we'll get to have lunch with one another.  Someday.  When that day comes, we're gonna laugh ourselves silly.  I'm certain.  selahV   

FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE--ESTHER, YOU AND ME

This is not about Queen Esther being a woman called out to save her nation.  This is about you.  This is about me.

We each have a particular place and purpose in the plan of God.  We each have been created in the image of God.  We each have been given gifts by the Holy Spirit.    Each of us.

What we do today is up to us.  We have a free will.  What God does with what we do, is up to Him.  Our words, our actions are an investment of sorts in the kingdom of God.  As we walk about our lives, we each have open doors.  We each have opportunities.  We each are met with trials, struggles, and opposition.  But God is able to guide us through each and every circumstance.  God is able to raise us up to do His purpose when it appears we are doomed to fail.  God is able to create a perfect angel food out of our pineapple upside-down cake.  God is able to flatten the mountains and make straight our paths.  God is able to return to us the day the locust has eaten.

And in the context of knowing I could offend some who believe Esther's call is not germane to ours, I think today may very well be the day He has brought me to at this time.  I think that because, I am not promised tomorrow.  All I have is now.  selahV 

BEYOND MY LOOKING GLASS

MIRROR, MIRROR BEFORE MY FACE,

HELP ME, HELP ME FIND A TRACE

OF PEACE, OF LOVE, OF GENTLE GRACE.

SHOW ME, MIRROR, AS I PEER INTO YOUR SILVER-COATED SPHERE.

ARE THERE LINES OF LEARNED LOVE, OF GENTLE KINDNESS FROM ABOVE?

OR IS THERE SIMPLY AGED SHAME, LINED WITH OPPORTUNITY TO BLAME

OTHERS FOR MY POCKS AND SCARS,

SMEARED WITH MAKEUP TO DISGUISE

THE FRUITLESS LIFE OF MY DEMISE?

How often I look in the mirror of my life and see images of distorted goodness.  Thoughts run rampant as I take the magnifying glass to the motives of my mind, the intentions of my heart.  I look through reading glasses framed by tinted lenses, colored to suit my explanation of who I am, what I've done, and why I've done it.  My mind races in reverse, pictures flood my memory screen.  And I'm left thinking...could I have done that better?  Could I have left out that phrase?   Could I have said something differently?  Should I have taken a different path, focused more on another?

As I peer into the mirror of my present, I am reminded that all I have is this moment.  Yesterday is gone.  And the reflection I see when I look into that mirror is soon forgotten.  I must focus on the necessity of the moment at hand.  I must look forward to what this moment, this word, this thought will render for this blink in time.  I must realize that this moment is the most important that I have.  It is the foundation I build tomorrow upon.  And should I smear today's coldcream over yesterday's makeup, then all it will do is create a breeding ground of grime that bears infection.

So I wash yesterday from memory.  I cleanse my face and start anew.  Stimulated by the cold fresh water of God's Word that closes the pores, I seal them from invading grit.  I coat my skin with soothing moisturizer and pray a new prayer of praise and adoration.  I add embellishments of foundation, blush, liners and concealers.  And protect my skin with the armor of my salvation, faith and truth.  They accent the positives of my image and give the world a view beyond my looking glass.  And maybe, just maybe, they'll see my Lord through the Spirit of His goodness, kindness, gentleness, peace, and love.  selahV [copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2007]      

FLAWLESS LADIES

Here stands two darling gals, who climbed to the top of a huge boulder atop Mt. Scott in Oklahoma.  They stood like conquerors of a summit.  They were so pleased with the achievement.   Each time we meet a goal, accomplish a task, complete an activity, we are conquerors.  We are conquerors of that moment.

Women we are.  Flawless, we aren't.  Conquerors, we can be.  When we trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge the Lord....{Proverbs 3:5,6.

Below is a mini-essay of sorts that I received in an email from a dear friend.  I do not know the author.  But the words are worth repeating and worth sharing with other women.  Especially women who see themselves as a washer of windows, instead of a window.

"Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH."

And that is why we have each other...to remind one another that we are God's creation.    Designed just the way we are for His specific purpose.  A blessing for life, His crowning glory to earth.  Yes, it's true we are not perfect, but we are "very good".  God said so.