How big is your box?

Read the title of this post a few times and let it sink in, even though you probably have no earthly idea what I'm talking about.  I want to ask you something that I've had to ask myself a few times in the past 48 hours... "How big is your box?"

I just finished reading a book that I HIGHLY recommend called "The Shack" by William P. Young.  I read this book in less than 48 hours.  I'm not going to go into the plot because it will completely spoil the book for you, but this book severely contradicts every box that we as Christians have stuck God in.  And I LOVE IT!  Please, if you have any reading bone in your body, read this book. 

While I was reading this book, I was faced with the fact that we all have ideal images of what God looks like and the way we think He works in our lives.  However, my God is the Creator of the Universe.  I cannot predict the way He is going to move at any point in time.  I only know that He keeps His promises and He loves me like no one else ever will.

As modern day Christians, we often get so caught up into fitting God into our tiny spaces.  We fall into rituals.  God must fit in our daily devotional time before we can begin our day, often without Him.  God must fit into our church buildings, into our rules, our expectations, our class structures.  I have put Him in a box so many times that I can't even count.  I've tailored Him to fit into areas of my life where I think He's needed.  How ridiculous is that?!

MY GOD IS BIGGER THAN EVERY BOX I HAVE EVER PUT HIM IN.  My God can manifest Himself in ways that speak to His beloved children, even if that doesn't fit into our perfectly molded beliefs system.  My God can reach the lost and hurting in ways that would make the institution of the church cringe.  My God goes the extra mile!  My God is not about the rules we've created around Him.  He's about a personal, moving, living, breathing relationship.  He wants me to talk to Him daily, even if I'm talking about nothing at all.  Do you know why?  Because He finds me fascinating and beautiful.  But, here's the kicker... He thinks you're fascinating too!  My God is about love and redemption and forgiveness.  My God is about walking on the water with me, simply because He enjoys my company.  Oh my goodness, to think of that kind of love and adoration makes me giddy!  He doesn't want me to do something because I feel obligated (church, devotions, etc)... He wants me to do it out of love for Him because I desire it!  And you know what else?  He's okay with my moods.  He's not flustered or bothered when I'm hurt or sad or furious.  He's in love with me no matter what mood I'm in.  Oh!  The vibrant colors of His love embrace me because I am His, imperfections and all. 

How many times do we sell God short because He doesn't fit into our molds?  God created EVERYTHING from NOTHING... will you let that sink in for a minute?  Who is He to have to fit into anything that we deem necessary?  What freedom and beauty could we experience if we would just tear down the box walls and let God move?  Let God work through us and in us, and be with us?  All these preconceived notions that I have about God are bunk unless they're scriptural.  My God is the God of the Universe.  Praise His precious name!

Whew, I am full of it tonight.  Let me just tell you... my Jesus loves me.  Oh, how He loves me.  It's time to get rid of those boxes and give God free reign to work and move and love.  So... how big is your box?  And are you willing to get rid of it?

Until next time,
Keep Reflecting :)

P.S. Check out the book's website at http://www.theshackbook.com/ ; I strongly urge you to read it :)

*Snowflakes*

As a child, my parents always had Christmas traditions that stuck with us through the years no matter where we were.  We would wake up Christmas morning and read the Christmas story.  Then, we would sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, pray, and open up our gifts.  Dad would later cook breakfast.  As I am now grown and married with my own family, I'm having to create my own traditions.  My lovely husband and I have only been married two years this month; this is our third Christmas together, so we don't have too many traditions in place just yet.  On top of that, every other Christmas we have my stepdaughter so things vary.

Last night as I was lying in bed, I was a little melancholy over the fact that we don't have set traditions yet.  My dear hubby assured me that we were creating our own, starting Christmas morning.  I just didn't feel "in the Christmas spirit", I suppose. 

THEN...

God decided to remind me of everything this season was about.  I woke up at 7:00 AM this morning to go to the bathroom.  As I walked past the open blinds in the bathroom, I saw the most beautiful Christmas gift.  The ground was covered in a blanket of thick, white snow and it was falling in huge, fluffy flakes.  I'm from Colorado, so I miss the snow.  This morning I woke up to a white Christmas.  It was a simple reminder from God to me that today was about Him and His glory, Him and the Son sent to save the world. 

So, of course, Brynlea (my stepdaughter) got up not long after and excitedly found out that Santa had left her a note and had eaten all of her treats.  The joy on her face at her first note from Santa was unexplainable.  And to think, I made that happen.  So, we talked about the Christmas story this morning.  Then, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.  She tore into presents like a wild animal and loved every minute of it.  Her daddy and I just watched with smiles. 

Here's the other simple gift, though.  After all the presents were open and my husband had walked off, I bundled Brynlea up in her robe and a blanket, hoisted her onto my hip, tucked my feet in my rainboots and out we went.  My mom and I have a tradition of wrapping up and standing in the snow as it falls.  We stand there silently and just watch it.  So, with Brynlea on my hip, we walked into the falling snow, tongues out... And we listened to the quiet.  We were only out there a few minutes, granted, but God used those few minutes to remind me of some things. 

God knows that snowflakes are going to melt before long, but He still allows them to fall and cover the earth with their beauty.  I needed reminding this morning that His beauty shining through us is the only thing that truly matters.  When His love lives in us, we will love the people around us... even when it hurts.  When we live for His glory, the earth will be covered in beauty, if only for a short time. 

Thank You, Lord for the snow this morning, because my heart needed the reminder.

Until next time,
Keep Reflecting :)

Self-Employed is a scary word :)

I am a full-time student, wife, and stepmom.  I am constantly busy with home, family, schoolwork, church and the likes.  However, now I can also add to my list of achievements... Self-Employed.  Whew... that is a scary word when you say it like that.  As of Monday night, I am officially a Pampered Chef Independent Sales Consultant!  Eek!  I am more excited than I can express, but also more nervous than I could have ever imagined.

You see, I love Pampered Chef products wholeheartedly.  I love to cook with them and my husband loves to cook with them.  As our household depends solely on my husband's income, money gets tight as you can understand.  I know that I do way more than I give myself credit for, but I always want to be able to help out financially as well.  However, my insane school schedule doesn't allow me to take on a job (full-time or part-time).  I was really excited when my darling husband actually considered my offer to sell Pampered Chef.  I knew that it wouldn't make a ton of money, but it will be enough to help out. 

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Consultant Kit (chock full of cooking goodies to prepare me for my first show)!  I've been tracking it and it's supposed to arrive.... *drum roll*.... TOMORROW!  As I set up my account online in the Consultant's Corner and download the necessary software to process orders, I'm finding myself getting more and more nervous... but also, crazy excited as well.  My first party is coming up in January.  I'm hosting a Pampered Chef Kick-Off for my family and friends.  My recruiter, and new friend, Marlayna will be helping me pull everything together so that it goes as smoothly as possible.  

Of course, I'm nervous that I won't do as well as I hope to.  I am so excited for the new opportunities that Pampered Chef is going to be opening up for me (and our bank account)!  So... I will give it my best shot.  I will treat this like a job, rather than a hobby.  I will work hard to meet my goals and provide my customers the best shopping experience possible.  You, my readers, are going to get to hear all about my endeavors as I embark on the scary, but exhilarating journey of being "self-employed".  Here goes nothing :)

Until next time, 
Keep Reflecting :)

Love, Your Personal Pampered Chef Consultant (wow, it feels nice to say that!) 

Let the rain...

I wish I was pretty

I wish I was brave

If I owned this city

Then I'd make it behave

And if I were fearless

Then I'd speak the truth

And the world would hear this

That's what I wish I would do

If my hands could hold them, you'd see

I'd take all these secrets in me

And I'd move and mold them

To be something I'd set free

(Chorus)

I wanna darken in the sky

Open the floodgates up

I wanna change my mind

I wanna be enough

I want the water in my eyes

I wanna cry until the end of time

I wanna let the rain come down

Make a brand new ground

Let the rain come down

Let the rain come down

Make a brand new ground

Let the rain come down tonight

I hold on to worry so tight

It's safe in here right next to my heart

Who now shouts at the top of her voice

Let me go, let me out

This is not my choice

And I've always felt it before

That the world was filled with much more

Than the drowning soul I've learned to be

I just need the rain to remind me

(Chorus x 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y10gI-PL5Zo

I absolutely love this song.  The Youtube link above is so that you can hear it as well as read the lyrics I posted.  Sometimes, no matter how wonderful our lives are, we get down and we need reminding that we don't have to stay in the "drowning soul" that we're in.  I tend to suffer from worry, slight anxiety, and moodiness... but I am blessed beyond imagination.  Today, I am feeling very tense.  I would love to open up the floodgates and just go to bed.  Darken in the skies.  That feeling is something I know personally.  But after the skies are darken, the rain comes.  That fresh, clean rain that washes away dirt and grime and leaves everything different.  After the rain comes the rainbow.  I have to remind myself sometimes that this "drowning soul" that I'm so very good at being is not me!  This is not the woman God designed me to be.  So, I cry out for the rain.  I cry out for Him to pour all over me and rescue me from what I've made myself.  Sometimes this means getting outside help (i.e. counseling, talking to a friend, etc).  We were not designed to be "drowning souls"; we were designed to flourish after the rain.  Sometimes we need the soul-cleansing rain to remind us that we were created to be so much more than simply "drowning souls".  

So, yeah, I'm a little moody today and my stepdaughter is probably going to drive me nuts by the end of the day.  Yeah, I probably am going to curl up and take a nap while she watches a movie.  But, you know what?  I am so incredibly blessed with people who love me, a husband who adores me, a home, a family, and a God who has created me to blossom.  No matter how the day may go, we must always remember that His mercies are new every morning!  

Until next time, 

Keep Reflecting :)     



Hands up, step away from the controls ma'am!

We all have our flaws.  It's undeniable.  I happen to be an insane control freak.  It's something I inherit from my lovely mother, as she will readily admit.  I have always been a control freak, now that I look back at my high school years.  I always hated group projects because I couldn't control how my grade was going to turn out.  So, you know what I did?  I would become the group leader, of course!  That way I could control the way everything turned out and make up for others where I thought they lacked.  This lovely trait (let's call it CFD -control freak disorder, shall we?) has stuck with me way past high school.  CFD makes me want to control EVERYTHING.  When I am not in control, it drives me bonkers, to say the least. 

I know I am not the only one like this.  I long with everything in me to overcome CFD.  Anger surges over me when someone other than myself is dictating the way my life should go.  I thrive on schedules and plans.  However, these past couple of weeks, God has been testing my CFD.  I have not been able to control hardly anything in my life.  I have had to accept the fact that concerning things that have been going on lately, I cannot control them.  A certain Sara Bareilles song speaks to my heart during this time.  It's called "King of Anything" and the chorus goes like this:

Who cares if you disagree?  You are not me.  Who made you king of anything?

You try and tell me who to be.  Who died and made you king of anything?

Though this song rings true to me, I know that I cannot control everything.  Despite what I want, God is ultimately in control.  So, last night as I was fuming and thinking of cursing, I heard a Brandon Heath song that rang even more true than that... it said, "I'm not gonna fight you anymore.  I'm not gonna try to lock the door.  You gave your life to give me yours.  There's no reason why I shouldn't trust you with mine." 

HELLOOO!!!  Hit me on the head with a brick, why don't ya?  I cannot control everything.  Actually, I technically cannot control anything.  God is in complete control of my entire life.  Why do I fight tooth and nail to maintain control when I know that relinquishing control to Him would give me more freedom than I ever dreamed possible?  For those of you who also suffer with CFD, give it over to Him.  It's a daily struggle.  I'm coming to realize, though, if I don't give it up, He will try me until I finally relinquish it to Him unwillingly.  I would rather just give it up to Him anyway.  So, I will continually try.  Over and over and over.

And over again.

Until next time,

Keep Reflecting :) 

Little miracles :)

You know, sometimes when life gets you terribly down (as it had me yesterday), people that you love step in and provide little miracles for which I am insanely thankful.  There are two incidents of which I am speaking of today that I would like to share with you :)

I was feeling extremely down last night.  As soon as my stepdaughter was in bed, my lovely husband and I headed for an early bedtime (let's say 7:45).  Though we were both tired, I was majorly looking forward to some pillow talk.  You married ladies know exactly what I'm talking about.  So, as I started telling stories about myself in elementary school, my husband busts out laughing.  He then precedes to tell me that when I talk and laugh the tip of my nose wiggles (this is something you can only see from laying beside me in the dark obviously).  This started a tickle fight as I tried to stick my finger in his ear.  I have to say, my husband's laughter (when he gets really tickled) is enchanting.  It's infectious.  Suddenly, everything I worried about seemed less of a worry.  In that very moment, as he buried his head in the pillows laughing while I desperately tried to stick my finger in his ear, everything was perfect.  I know that sounds crazy, but it's true.  You see, my husband is my life line.  I thrive on moments like this.  Even the moments when he falls asleep in my arms as I'm telling a story :)

My next little miracle was in the form of one of my best friends.  We decided that we needed to get together because life has been hectic for both of us lately.  I was excited about it anyways.  Then, I got a message from her this morning talking about movies and popcorn and nail polish... basically a mini-spa day just for us.  And, here's the best part... it's completely free!  I was looking forward to a day of just spending time catching up with my friend.  Then, my dear friend suggests a day of chick flicks and spa like activities (if you knew my friend, you would know that chick flicks are very unlike her).  I'm ecstatic, to say the least.  

See, sometimes we have to look away from our problems and be thankful for the little miracles in our lives.  I have a tendency to focus on what I'm worrying about, instead of the little blessings in my life.  Pillow talks, laughing in bed, a mini-spa day with my friend, a Friday with no finals to spend as I please, wiping off the Vicks under my nose so I can kiss my husband, the times when dinner turns out perfectly.  I will admit that I am still stressed.  I will still worry.  But, I am incredibly blessed.  Here's the most wonderful part, though... my own little God-sent miracle, at the end of the day, I know pillow talks are waiting for me.  Thank you, Lord, for the things I take for granted.   

Until next time,
Keep Reflecting :)

The call of music...

So, if you remember correctly, one of my last posts was about God making the rain stop for Noah.  Well, at the moment I feel like Noah on day 94 of 100-something (before the rain stopped).  Maybe make that day 57?  I mean, I feel like there is no end to what we're going through (even though, I know in my heart that that isn't true).  God is faithful.  I know this.  However, I'd like to put my head through the ark wall right about now.  At least, the rain would feel good.  I ache.  Everywhere, but mostly my head and neck.  I've cried no telling how many tears in the past 24 hours.  *Heavy sigh*  And my wonderful husband has simply loved me through all of it. 

Today, I feel like a "freaking ray of sunshine" if you catch my sarcasm.  I promised through Facebook that I would keep in headphones in as long as possible to spare people having to deal with me today.  I mean, seriously... it's that bad.  So, as I sat in the library, obviously not studying for my final exam in an hour, I pulled up the iLike app on Facebook.  Music speaks to my soul in ways that sometimes people just can't with simple words.  I talked to my mom this morning... all that ended in was me crying more as I spilled my guts to her.  I needed desperately for something to make me feel better without making me cry.  I will mention that, even if I didn't feel like it, I was deliberate and did my Bible study this morning.  It's a good thing that God loves me no matter how I'm feeling.  So, I think because of my obedience, God provided music to touch my heart and allow me to sink inside of something without dwelling on things that would only draw me deeper into this mood.  Let's take a look at what this playlist consisted of (I think you'll be suprised):

• Sara Bareilles (a lot of her)
• Natasha Beddingfield
• Natalie Grant
• Third Day
• Fireflight
• Needtobreathe

Sometimes we just need to retreat to our music.  Let it wash over you.  I consider it a blessing.  I know this post isn't inspiring or anything like I try to be in the other ones, but I desperately needed to just write.  It's been a long morning already.  But it's going to be okay, because I am "washed by the water, even when the earth crumbles under my feet". 

Until next time,
Keep Reflecting :)

By the way, I promise not to put my head through the ark wall.  Just in case you were wondering.

Can you taste it?

The week of finals is a week that, unlike many college students, brings joy to my heart.  Do you know why this is?  Because at this very moment, I know that only four... count them... four tests stand between me and almost a month of freedom.  Four tests.  I'm so close I can taste it.  At our college, we get "Reading Day" before finals begin and it's a day off.  Of course, administration expects you to use it wisely.  I, however, never do.  I usually nap.  Reading Day for me is like a little taste of freedom to get me through the next week.  Normally, by the end of a semester, I am ready to pull my hair out or put my head through a concrete wall... something akin to that.  Oh, but when Reading Day comes... it's like a breath of fresh air reminding me that I'm so close I can almost taste the ending. 

I was reading the story of Noah earlier this week.  After being stranded on the ark in the middle of a fierce flood for something like 105 days, you'd think Noah was thinking about putting his head through the wall of the ark and just letting them sink.  BUT WAIT.  At the beginning of the next chapter, it says God remembered Noah and made the waters cease.  Now, if you read on, it took a while for the waters to recede... but at the moment God made the raining stop. 

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves, in the midst of the flood, that God will remember us... just like He remembered Noah.  Just in the nick of time, God remembered Noah.  The aftermath of your flood isn't just going to drain away through some great plug in the floor.  However, the rain will eventually cease and you'll get your breath of fresh air.  Just like Reading Day is for me during the semester.  My school flood waters have by no means gone down, but the rain has stopped for a while. 

He will rememeber you, just like Noah, and make the rain stop.  Hang in there, beloved. 

Until next time,
Keep Reflecting :)

P.S. Don't put your head through the ark wall, either.

Excuse me, World. This is my stop.

Dear World,

     Kindly stop.  I would like to get off now. 

Thanks,

Me

Ever had those weeks when you think you may just need to get off the world for a little while?  I'm having one of those weeks.  You start off a beautiful day with determination and spirit, but, before you can blink, the devil has attacked you in six different directions.  *Sarcasm oozing from my every pore* Fabulous.  Suddenly, this world that I had completely in control only moments before seems to spin out of my hands.  Being the control freak that I am, this kind of thing takes a heavy toll on me.  I'm talking exhaustion, body aches, mood swings, etc.  Go ahead and cry a few tears for my husband.  Bless his heart; he's more man than I ever deserved.

Do you ever feel like you just gained something you've been working for (mine is compassion for someone) only to have the whole thing knocked off track?  That's how my week is going down.  I'm not a happy camper, to say the least.  I want to get off, World... NOW, preferably.  I feel the desperate need to crawl into bed and have someone wake me up when this is all over.  However, I can't do that.  They need me.

And, you know what?  God is standing here, whispering, "My Beloved, I am still in control.  You are not.  I spoke the world into exsistence.  I'm in control of this as well and it will work to My glory."  *Sigh*  I really hate it when He's right and pins me down like that.  My God is still on the throne and He is still in control.  When I am feeling overwhelmed and weary, He promised to give me rest.  He asked me to cast my cares on Him, but not take them back up when I get off my knees.  I have to leave them at His feet... just lying there.  He's saying, "Trust me, daughter.  Lay them there and walk away."  Then, He offers His hand to help me walk because I am weary.  Relinquishing control is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I naturally lean toward controlling everything.  Part of following the Creator of the Universe, though, is allowing His complete control.  He will turn this situation into His glory.  I know I'll have to hit my knees over and over as I try to take up these worries again.  I'm willing to do that, though.  HE IS STILL IN CONTROL, even when I feel like I am not.  Usually that's when His glory shines brightest.  

I'm tired.  I'm laying it down.  Take it, Jesus.  What do you need to lay down today so you can rest in the arms of the Comforter?  All we have to do is take off the junk we carry and crawl into His lap.  Easier said than done, I know.  But if we can, the benefit will be extraordinary.

Until next time, 
Keep Reflecting :)      

Deliberate People

Hello, again.  I'm back to spill my words of infinite wisdom upon you... yeah, right.  However, this time, I actually have something worthwhile to say :) At least, I think so. 

Have you ever noticed how deliberate we are as humans?  We are deliberate creatures.  We deliberately drive certain ways to get to certain destinations.  We deliberately shop at certain stores in order to save the most money.  We deliberately dress ourselves nicely.  We deliberately cook meals that people are going to enjoy (we hope).  But ask yourself... how deliberate are you in your relationships?  I think if we have to be deliberate in the small choices, we should have to be deliberate in the big ones as well.

To be a deliberate person means that you consciously make choices to obtain a desired result.  Marriage relationships require that you be deliberate.  Friendships require that you be deliberate.  Family requires you to be deliberate.  Our relationships with God require us to be deliberate.  Let that sink in for a minute.  None of these relationships are going to come easily or just land in your pretty little lap.  Think about what you would do for the man you love (or men for your ladies)... you deliberately leave him notes so he knows you love him.  You make a point to spend time with him.  Everything you do to prove your love for him is completely deliberate.  None of it just happens by chance.  I'm realizing that this goes for other relationships as well... and for me, that's not necessarily a pretty realization.

Life is busy and crazy and hectic.  We juggle more things than we ever should have agreed to, agreed?  However, if you care about your relationships (with anyone), you're going to have to be deliberate.  I desperately love my husband.  Without thinking, I will take deliberate steps to make sure he knows that.  My best friends (you know who you are) are pretty fantastic.  However, most of the time, they get pushed by the wayside because of my busy life.  I need to take more deliberate steps to make sure they know exactly what they mean to me.  Here's my uncomfortable realization part, though...

I desperately and intensely desire a close relationship with my Creator outside the walls of my fabulous church.  I've tried over and over and over and over (well, you get the picture) to start devotions.  I'll go strong for about a week and then, life gets in the way and I get off-track.  I accept that for my marriage to be strong I have to be deliberate in my love for my husband.  Why do I think that my relationship with Christ is any different?!  It's not just going to fall in my pretty little lap, ladies... and it won't in yours, either.  I deeply crave a peace that passes all understanding, yet how do I expect to claim that when I won't even spend time with the One who gave His life for me?  It shames me to think of how that must make Him feel.  I think of how desperately and passionately He loves me, yet I only give Him the left-over time I have and Sundays.  What a slap in the face.  It literally makes me want to cry.  How can I hurt Him so badly when I desire Him so strongly?  So...

I've decided to be deliberate with Him, just as I would with any other relationship.  Phil Joel has a website called DeliberatePeople.com describing exactly what I'm talking about.  I have to deliberately carve out time in my schedule to sit down, alone, and spend time with the Lover of my soul.  I will not be perfect.  I will miss days.  He will be waiting patiently, though, just like he has been up until now.  I want to be deliberate, in order to make this relationship strong.  Will you choose to deliberate, too?

Until next time,
Keep Reflecting :)

P.S. Bible Reading plan can be found at www.deliberatepeople.com (free printable 12-month guide... but I just cross it off as I read it, so I know what I've read)   

I will not apologize...

My husband and I decided that our living room needed revamping, but we're low on cash so it had to be a simple rearranging project.  Today was the day that we chose to spend all day, and I do mean ALL day, working on the living room.  As it is "Black Friday", we were both off and had no plans for today.  It seemed perfect.  We kept movies going in the bedroom for my stepdaughter and set to work attacking the living room.  When I say attack, that is what I literally mean.  The dust was so thick I couldn't believe it!  Now, the task is complete.  I am sitting in a beautifully arranged and sparkling clean living room.  Something in my heart just smiles at that fact.  Be honest, you know that a clean house makes you feel better too...

However, something crossed my mind today as I was running from the dust midgets that threatened to kill me.  Other people don't notice the same dirt in my house that I notice.  I constantly apologize for my house when company comes over.  You've heard the apology... "Please don't mind my house.  It's a wreck."  Okay, first let me point out that being dirty and being gross are two very different things.  If your house is to the point of gross... CLEAN it.  Usually though, our houses are just dirty and people invited over don't even notice.  So, why do we apologize?  A dirty house is a lived in house.  Now, don't mistake me... we need to keep our houses clean.  Clean houses help cut down on our stress.  But why do we feel the need to make excuses for a house that is LIVED in?  The dirty dishes in the sink aren't going to kill anyone... usually they remind me of the people I served dinner to the night before.  The hygiene products lying on the bathroom counter aren't going to kill anyone.  The laundry on your bedroom floor is only going to bother you.  A slightly messy house says that you have better things to do than clean house all day, or at least than to keep it sparkling perfect.  

Maybe this is just something I use to justify my desire to put off cleaning... But from now on, I refuse to apologize for living in my house.  Hmm, I say that sitting in a clean living room lol ;)

Until next time, 
Keep Reflecting :)   

Bi-Folliclism... It's a disease I suffer from...

So, one night as we're lying in bed I announce to my husband that I want to change my hair, yet I don't know how.  I want to cut it, or color it, or get "bangs".  Since this happens approximately every six months (sometimes less), my husband turns to me and declares that I suffer from being bi-follicle.  Upon his explanation, I must agree that this is something I suffer from... I'm sure I can't be the only one though.

Bi-follicle: n. meaning to be bi-polar about one's hair cut, color, or style.  To constantly desire the changing of one's hair. 

Yep, that's me in a nutshell for sure.  Some women have beautiful hair that always seems to do exactly what they want it to.  They go into public and, whether they've spent ten or thirty minutes on it, their hair looks great.  I am NOT one of those people.  My hair (at the current moment) is a dark brown with a reddish tinge as it is recovering from the last coloring adventure.  In the process of being grown out, it tends to curl in humid weather (which is all the time where I live) but not curl enough to be termed "curly".  Lately, it's ended up in a ponytail a lot, which does not particularly make me happy.  See, several times over the past two years I have decided to grow my hair out because my husband has only known me with short hair.  However, normally it gets to this stage, I get fed up with it and.... bam... off it goes.  I am currently fighting the urge to chop it off, even as we speak...

As my "diagnosis" goes, I suffer from bi-folliclism because I am a control freak, yet I can control very, very little.  My hair is one thing that is completely within my control.  My poor husband has to listen to me every time I decide I want to try something new with my hair.  I'm naturally a brunette, but I've been a redhead and jet black.  I once had shoulder-length hair and it's also been barely ear-length.  For now, there is no known cure to my illness.  To those of you who suffer from this as well... you are not alone! 

Until next time, 
Keep Reflecting :)

Maybe next time I post I'll be a blonde... JUST KIDDING :)  

 

I Dare Ya....

Read to the end, if you begin it :)

The moonlight cast a eerie glow over the desert as I stood alone, shivering in the chilled air.  Shadows seemed to dance from out of nowhere.  My armor didn't feel as though it was enough to protect me and my hands trembled.  I could feel them coming and I could feel them feeding off of my fear.  My eyes scanned the horizon.  I clenched my teeth as the enemy line appeared on the horizon.  They spread acorss the horizon like a tidal wave, a firghtening mixture of thick darkness and firelight.  As they neared, I felt myself trembling more.  There was no way I could stand against these supernatural beings.  It was only moments before they stood before me in full-form.  My eyes took in the entirity of their army, stretching across the desert.  They had to be numbered among the millions.  They were the most hideous, terrifying creatures I had ever seen.  Tears formed in my eyes.  I had no chance.  The leader seperated from the pack and neared me; he was the most terrifying of all.  His face was contorted with evil.  His eyes read my every move, my every tremble and he rejoiced in my terror.  I was shaking in my armor.  The sword at my side was no match for this many, I determined.  Then, a quiet voice whispered into my soul, "You are mine, Child."  It was more of a feeling than an audible voice, but suddenly I knew what I was to do.  I closed my eyes momentarily and prayed, "Lord, I believe with all my heart."  I opened my eyes, full of fury, and stepped towards their leader.  He didn't shrink in my presence.  He laughed that a little girl wanted to stand up to him.  My voice was low as I growled, "How dare you threaten me?  How dare you feed off of my insecurity?  My body is a temple of the Most High and I will not be shaken."  With every word, I felt strength entering my body.  I took another stepped closer to him and the army behind him.  "My power lies in one name," I whispered.  "Please don't say it," he whispered.  He knew what would happen to his army and fear entered his face.  I took a deep breath and screamed, "JESUS!!"  The army shrieked in agony and disappeared and the leader standing before me began to back away.  "I will be back," he said.  I smiled as the sun dawned, "You cannot hurt me.  My JESUS and I will be waiting."

Beloved, we have the power in Jesus name to rebuke Satan.  He has no power of us.  Both he and his demons tremble in the name of the Jesus we worship.  Claim His power in His name and rest in His peace because we are surrounded by angels and protected by the precious name of Jesus! 

Satan viciously tries to attack the prism women who love Jesus (as well as the men)... We let fear creep into our hearts and take root.  Hey, I can't even watch a scary movie without envisioning it happening to me.  But why?  Why do we fear Satan when our God is so much bigger than him?  Why do we tremble when merely shouting the name of Jesus will send him running back to the hole he crawled from?  Beautiful Prism, you have power to make Satan tremble.  Soak that in for a moment.  I mean, really soak it in... don't just read it.  When's the last time you made him run in fear instead of fearing his attack?  Shout Jesus' name, sing praises, recite verses... anything with the holiness of God on or in it will attack him right back.  It's time we started realizing that we are not to stand idly by as Satan attacks us and our families.  We are mighty warrior women, created to fight him.  Let the battle begin.  FYI... I've read the ending and he loses...

Until then,
Keep Reflecting :)

Prism Women

If you've ever seen a prism, you know that at first sight it doesn't look like much more than a block of glass (whether triangular or rectangular).  I've always loved holding prisms because they have a solid, weighty feeling about them.  In your hand, they are simply clear.  However, when you hold a prism up to a shaft of light, what comes out of it is simply stunning.  A prism breaks a single shaft of line into a million fragments and turns golden sunlight into a myriad of rainbow colors.  

Women are like prisms in some ways.  I like to think of myself as solid, definitive (a beautiful block of glass).  Until I am held to something greater, however, I will only reflect white light.  When a woman allows the light of God to shine through her, though, it bursts into thousands of fragments of brilliant light.  The light of the Son (Jesus), shown through a woman totally in love with Him, reflects colors of love, passion, compassion, and vivacity.  Many times I find myself turning away from the very shaft of light that can turn my whole world into a myriad of colors.  How many blessings do I miss out upon because I don't let the light of Jesus reflect through me?  

John 8:12  "And Jesus spake again unto them saying, 'I am the Light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.'"  Ah, ladies... take hold of the prism your life can be and allow your world to burst into a million colors when we reflect the One who gave His life for us!  

Until next time,
Keeping reflecting :)