Who Told You That You Were Naked?

"Who told you that you were naked?" (Genesis 3:11) This is the question God asks Adam and Eve when he finds them hiding in the bushes wearing their fig aprons.  Basically he was asking them, "Who told you that something is wrong with you?"  God knew that the enemy had come over and spoken to them for sure.

I have had the enemy talk to me before and the one thing he seems to be really good at saying is that I am not attractive.  Today God asked me the same question he asked Adam and Eve "Who told you that you are unattractive?"  When I thought about it I realized that all of it had come to me by suggestion in the soulish realm.  Why do I say that?  Because the enemy speaks to you on the soulish level and not spirit.  He makes a suggestion through a commercial and all of a sudden all the dark people feel that they need to become lighter to be beautiful.  You're watching Tyra and you realize that beauty is defined as a skinny girl and even the girls they call big are really normal sized chics.  

Those suggestions begin to run through your mind and before you know it you are reacting and acting based on the belief that you are not beautiful.  In truth, God made each one of us beautiful and then he loaded us with talents, giftings, callings, excellent temperaments and so much more.  When God looked at man he knew for a fact that he had made a show stopper, and just when creation thought he couldn't do a better job, he puts the guy to sleep and creates the most beautiful creation of all, WOMAN!

Now, that said, who told you that you were too skinny, or too fat, or not intelligent enough, or good for nothing?  Did God say that to you?  If not, why are you listening to a voice other than God's?  I have noticed something wonderful about people who do not have classic good looks (by man's standard) they usually have a redeeming aspect to them.  A man who would not otherwise catch your eye based on his looks turns out to be charming, well spoken, kind and fun to be with.  Within no time you don't even notice that he is too dark, or shorter than you are, or way too skinny.  The grace of God steps in and covers his "shortcomings" so that you fall in love with him as he is.

Shouldn't we as women then be able to look at ourselves in the mirror and see what God see's?  Granted you are a little bit on the heavy side, or maybe you are very dark and yet for some, maybe you don't think your facial features are stunning in a positive way.  How about we look in the mirror and see just how valuable we are, how talented, how gifted and successful we are at the callings God has given us?  How about we invite the Grace of God to come in and cover the parts of us that we feel may not be quite so becoming?  

Do you know why God did not think that Adam and Eve were naked? Or why they had never felt naked and ashamed before? It was because the glory of the Lord covered them.  Let that same glory cover and beautify you so that you feel and look attractive not just in the spiritual but in the physical realm too.  Often I have seen guys give me a look in a manner likely to suggest interest.  In truth, I have often reacted in such a way as to make sure they know that I couldn't be bothered. I have come to realize that that was me hiding because I did not feel beautiful or attractive enough.

Well, not anymore!!  This girl will soon be dating up a storm.  I am letting myself love and be loved.  I am letting my beauty shine through in every way.  Won't you join me? 

Feeling Inadequate!

Today was one of those days where I felt very inadequate as a woman. I'm talking to my BFF who is a Sanguine. She is good at showing emotion and expressing her love, good at making conversation, drawing people out of their shells etc... I on the other hand can make conversation but if you are in a shell, I'll let you stay there. I will rarely, if ever, try to coax someone to tell what they are thinking or feeling or whatever. I am not emotionally expressive and don't show love unless I feel very comfortable with you...and that could take a while.

Well, so we were talking about these guys that we feel drawn to as friends and thinking about how we can help them with some of the stuff they are doing. Here I am talking about it from the business end of things. You know? Like I can assist here and give some ideas there and she says that she will let them handle business and when they leave all that she will assist in allowing them to debrief to her. I'm like what? Here I'm talking about giving them business ideas and she's talking about being their personal psychologist!

Honestly, I have never felt less feminine than I did at that moment. I thought to myself, if this is what a woman is supposed to be like, I have so missed the plot. I almost felt like I was offering the wrong kind of help. Like I was going to be considered one of the guys and not a girl. Is this why guys are attracted to her? I really wondered about that.

Then I realized that God has made each woman suitable to be a helper to her own husband. My kind of help will be much needed when I do meet my husband. He will still be able to debrief with me and will also appreciate that I can help with business, organize the home and all the other things that choleric women are strong at. Needless to say, my self worth was out of the gutter!

Wisdom for the Hour!

If you want to know what God wants you to do, ask him,

and he will gladly tell you,

for he is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him;

he will not resent it.

But when you ask him,

be sure that you really expect him to tell you,

for a doubtful mind will be as unsettled as a wave of the sea

that is driven and tossed by the wind;

and every decision you make will be uncertain,

as you turn first this way, and then that.

If you don't ask with faith,

don't expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.

James 1:5-8 (Living Bible)

Lord, load me up with wisdom for this hour. I need to know if this is it. If not, I will gladly walk away. Make it clear for me so that I can do only your will. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me. I love you!

God Knows My Heart!

Oh Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.

You know when I sit or stand.

When far away you know my every thought.

You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest.

Every moment you know where I am.

You know what I am going to say before I even say it.

You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head.

... I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God!

...You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.

Every day was recorded in your book!

How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly!

I can't even count how many times a day your thoughts turn towards me.

And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

... Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts.

Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad,

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139 (The Living Bible)

So often I forget that you are thinking of me. That my days are all planned out by you Lord. I am not forgotten. You think about me constantly... how you love me, how you want to bless me, what additional good you can bring into my life. You ponder the path of my feet and think about the next step before I even know where I'm at currently. When I go to bed you are thinking about me, and when I wake up your thoughts are still on me. I love you Lord with all my heart. You know this full well.

I submit my life, my will, my all to you once again. Lead me in the way everlasting. Fulfill in my life each day that is written in your book. I want nothing less! Who I'm I that you are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call? It is true that your ear is inclined towards me constantly and you keep me as the apple of your eye. Were the enemy to touch me, you would rise up Oh Lion of Judah and tear him to pieces for me.

Search my heart Oh God and know my thoughts. See the desires of my heart and fulfill them in accordance with your will. Point out those things in my life that make you sad and help me change them. All I want is to bring you honor and glory with all that I am.

Daddy, I never want to bring you shame or to let you down. I want more than anything, to be a daughter you can be proud of. Give me the wisdom I need to navigate this season of my life.

Love Them Regardless

Loving people is a challenge for just about anyone, but for us Choleric's it is a chore! Hard work! A choleric may love you but be unable to show that love, especially if there is a chance that it will not be returned. Can you imagine the drama of having a crush on a guy who looks like he doesn't know you exist in that sense? Help me Jesus!!!

Well, I generally don't want to invest myself emotionally on anything or anyone if the end result is not already semi guaranteed. These situations where you are not sure of what the result or response will be do not work for me one bit. I need to have an inkling that you like me or want to be with me before I can show you that I like you. You know what I mean?!!

Anyway, there is this guy. I have no idea what it is about him that I like so much. Even though I like him, it is from afar. I am not even trying to invest my emotions on him and end up with a broken heart. As I was meditating on that and trying to figure out how I can be his friend without over investing myself I hear the voice of the Lord tell me that I am to love all people as he loves me.

I look up at the ceiling, raise one eyebrow and ask "how is that?" He goes on to show me that while we were yet sinners, while we had nothing to attract us to him, he loved us. So much so, that he took the ultimate gamble and gave up his life for us. He invested himself in man, body, soul and spirit and waited to see if we would accept his love for us and return the same. To date, he is still waiting for some to say yes Lord, but for those who accept and love the Lord Jesus, his gamble has paid off big time!!

So, I am not suggesting that you get careless with your heart, but sometimes you just need to go in the deep end and love some of these people regardless of whether they will love you back or not. Isn't that what Christ did for you? So I am determined to love this guy the way Christ loved me. To invest my time, emotions, prayers etc... in him. If he ever loves me back, great! If he never does, my love tank will remain full, because Jesus, the lover of my soul is doing an excellent job of loving me.

Surrounded By Death!

Everywhere I look I see death these days. If I am not dying to self, I am dying to some desire or other... Or someone I know and love is dying (RIP Dad)... or my friends are hooking up with their significant others and our relationship is dying. Death all round!

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness

This is the hardest verse in the Bible for me right now. How can he not be slack in his promises when he won't give me the one main desire of my heart? I don't understand. Maybe its about timing but Lord, I need you to help me wait on you with a joyful heart. I'm losing my joy and that has been my strength. Without joy i'm a gonna and you know it. Please help me stay joyful and keep my eye on the ball.