The King's Princess

There once was a Princess that felt like a prisoner in her own castle. She would cry every night believing that she was destined to be alone. She would walk the empty and cold halls, open some blinds to let the sunshine for warmth, and only felt the cold air through the window panes.

One day the princess was called into the throne room of her Father, the King. The King noticed his daughter's face had an expression of sadness on it as she walked across the room with her head bowed down. The King asked her what was troubling the heart of His child. The princess said; "I want to know what kind of a Prince you want for me?" "Is there one among your countrymen?" "For I see everyone else around me getting engaged or married and I am alone."
The King took his Princess into his lap and began to comfort her. He told her that He was very particular about the man He has for his daughter. He must be a man of valor and strength, one with a strong mind like me, recognizes his weakness and works on improving it, a skillful and intelligent man, and most of all a man that will respect you as he respects me.  The man I have for you will be unique and made just for you. You won't want to change anything about him because he was created by the mighty hands of God.
Until the appropriate time that I introduce you to this man who has a heart after mine, know that I am going to do something magnificent in your life. These walls are not a prison for you, but a fortress, a strong tower to protect you, help you to grow spiritually, and to get to know me, your Father deeper and closer than we were yesterday.
The Princess began to see the halls fill with warmth, love, and bright lights from the sunshine peaking in through the curtains that cover the windows. The Princess' face went from sad to joyful by the smile that she was now wearing with her head lifted high.
The King was pleased to see his daughter happy once again and explained to her that she must pray for her future Prince. There will be days that he will not feel so strong, he will not make the best of choices as you do not either. However, pray for him to be strong in mind, body, and spirit. Your prayers are heard and God will answer them.
The Princess went away feeling like the luckiest girl in the whole kingdom.

Perhaps you have something going on in your life that makes you feel discomfort and an outcast; be in peace. The King of kings is working in your life and in the lives of those around you. He has great plans to prosper you and give you the hope and future that is in His hands.
Life is hard, cold, and lonely sometimes, but rest assured you are loved and adored by a God who wants to bring warmth, love, and fullness into your life. Therefore, press into Him and all He has for you. Remember, He gives exceedingly and abundantly above all that we think or imagine.

~ The End is only the Beginning

A Gift For Everyone!

As I have read over the story of Jesus's birth, I have come to appreciate Mary and Joseph. Mary was a woman who had no money, who was not known and yet Jesus used her life to change the world. Joseph was a man who stepped up to the plate.He could have ran away from His calling, He could have stood by and let his peers stone Mary to her death. Both of these ordinary persons made extraordinary decisions.

We are no different than these two no name and no fame people who were called to be the caregivers of Jesus Christ. We are called to be caregivers also. What we do with the life of Jesus Christ that lives in us says how much we care about His life.

I have to agree with a pastor who states; "I learned early in my ministry how emotionally attached even some Christians become to traditions that have little or no connection to the simple gospel story of Jesus's birth. The true meaning of Christmas reveals God's amazing grace in sending His only Son to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. The call to discipleship summons us as believers to live lives of humble service to God and to others. My prayer is that Christians will be satisfied with and proclaim the supreme joy of the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. My prayer for unbelievers is that they will not fail to receive the greatest Gift of all but accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior."

~ Be encouraged there is a Gift for everyone on your list. 

Didn't You Hear Me?

I have learned that an argument is not really an argument.  It is an expression, for a woman, to say she is feeling unloved, unheard, and invisible.  We just don't know how to express it well.
Most times we are quick to point out what is wrong with the other person. We don't look at the three fingers pointing back at us. Then again, I haven't seen anyone argue with themselves either. Meaning, that is why we have a partner to argue with.
I have learned to let the person know how I feel. Though my feelings may not be factual to the situation, I still feel.
God tells us in Psalm 119; "The unfolding words give light; it gives understanding."
I want there to be understanding among my partner instead of trying to prove who is right and who is wrong.
I have been in some really harsh confrontations. I have learned that the devil wants us to be at war with one another. "I applied my heart to know, to search and seek wisdom and the reason for things. To know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness."
Ecclesiastes 7:25

I have had enough red face fightings, screaming matches, fist fights to last a lifetime.  I am ready to move completely from drama to tranquility discussions.

You may be experiencing heated discussions in your home. There is good news for you here. You don't have to show up for the fight. No you can be at peace with turning away from an unkind word or putting your hand up to not receive the words being spewed out of their mouth.
"There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health." Proverbs 12:18

Times will come when you cannot walk away, but you are in control of your reply.

~be encouraged,  you always have a choice to RSVP or decline the offer.

Patiently Waiting

Recently I have had a difficult time getting out of bed because the covers are nice and toasty. I can't seem to get motivated to jump out of the bed and onto the cold wooden floors. This one particular morning was no different. But I noticed the light coming through the window blinds that was trying to greet me with beauty; it didn't work. I grabbed my phone to check the time and I had thirty minutes before I really had to get up and get ready for work. I laid the phone back on the night stand, slipped the covers up and was ready to go back to sleep. I decided to greet my Lord Jesus with a "good morning Lord." Then I heard get your phone and turn on "Holy, Holy, Holy," by No Other Name; I did.  Then I listened to "The Generous Mr. Lovewell"  by MercyMe; I did. Then I heard the Lord tell me to "sit up;" I did. Then I heard Him tell me to listen to "Beautiful" by MercyMe. Then I began to cry because I recognized that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was talking to me!
Do you have days that you can't get out of bed? Do you have your mom or someone coming into your room pulling the blinds open for you to wake up? Do you find it difficult to get out of bed some days?
In this one morning I heard the Lord tell me how holy He is, how Majestic He is, and how the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost was there with me. WOW! Then I heard Him tell me how I have much love to give away and make a difference in someone else's life. WOW! Next, I heard Him tell me how I was made for so much more than what I think I am made for. Jesus sees me as beautiful and as I wonder if I could ever be loved, He loves me to His death. WOW, I was in tears!
Then I was lead to read His word and it states; "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ."  2 Thessalonians 3:3-5.
Did you hear what He said to me?  He said He is faithful, will protect me, He touches me, directs my heart into the love of God and into waiting for Him.
My heart desires so many things that sometimes it is difficult to sift through it all. However, God tells us that when we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. First, He knows the desires of our hearts. He knows what we need and what we want. Our desires must be His desires. Yet, He first wants to be the first love of our lives. You see, He designed us to have these desires, yearning for a touch and a word. As a woman, we want to be touched, we want confidence; yet it is difficult to establish that confidence. But with God all things are possible. All things become beautiful in its time.

Recently I felt like my dreams were stolen by the father of lies. I got mad at God because He allowed it to happen. But what I found out was that I have the right desire but  there is more to that desire and dream. There is something more important that the physical part of the dream. There is the spiritual part of the dream and desire. I have begun praying for God's heart in the midst of my desire. I pray specifically for the desire and dream. I pray with thanksgiving and I am excited to see God do something God size with the desires of my heart.
It may not look like anything that I hope or imagine. In fact, it won't. It will be better than I could hope for because God is going to receive the glory and fame for working this out in my life. I am patiently waiting for my dream to come true.


~Be encouraged by what has happened to me because He can do the same for you too. He wants the dark spots on your heart, the deep secrets, the lonely heart, the brokenness in your life to heal, and He can still be found. So seek first the kingdom of heaven and all these things shall be given to you. When you pray, pray with thanksgiving and watch the Creator create in your life!

What a Dog!

Have you ever stood in the isle at the grocery store and really looked at the packaging? I did the other day in the dog isle. Do you ever stare at the cutest dog, play with it, or just want to hug on it and never let it go?  I asked for a dog a long time ago that would be a small female that was smart and loved me too. I sure got what I wanted.
Dogs are amazing creatures because they love unconditionally; without thought or purpose. You come home at the end of the day and they are so excited to see you that you would think they are going to pee on the floor if you don't let them out quick enough. They jump up and down, they wag their tales as they sit their butts on the cold floor, their tongue hangs down past  their chin, and they look like they are wearing a smile.
You can scold them and they know they are in trouble, but then within a few minutes they are right back in your way trying to get you to pet them.  So what is their purpose?
I've read that you were created to be loved by God. You were created not out of need but want. God wants to love on you. He gets excited when you talk to Him, love on others through your genuine kindness. He doesn't need you to do anything, He wants you to want to do things. He just wants to sit with you and enjoy a meal or a cup of coke / coffee. It pleases Him when you do an act of selfless service for another. WOW!
You are loved by God for just being you; as my dog loves me for just being me.
You can be covered in mud and still be loved and adored. That mud you are covered in is all kinds of shame, guilt, frustration, murder, torment, and other yucky puckies, but God still loves you! You can't make Him mad enough to stand there with closed arms. I could make Sadie mad enough to want to bite me, but I know she won't. Sadie will ignore me;  but God never will; He stands with arms wide open.
There is much for us to learn from watching animals such as dogs or cats. I am not a cat owner, so I cannot comment on them. However, I know they are finicky and temperamental. I know people can be the same way, but not God.
The next time you have the opportunity to visit with a dog, remember they love you just as God does; unconditionally. A dog doesn't have to know anything about you and will want your attention.

~Be encouraged by knowing you are loved just as you are by a God that created a miracle; that miracle is YOU.