Call It

By God's grace I jumped off a sin-train today.

You know those moments, days, or seasons when you find yourself once again headed down old paths. You find that once again, you are on that train and you know its destination. Sometimes we can recognize it as soon as we're in line to buy the ticket, so we buckle that belt of truth a little tighter and walk away. Sometimes it feels like we are oblivious (or in denial) until the train has reached full speed, but God's amazing grace will still pull us back when we call out to Him. 

Today, I found myself being tempted by an age-old line. But thanks to a Holy Spirit nudge, I recognized the tempter's ways. 

But let's be real, it was still really hard. Repeatedly, silently, I let the word "sin" scroll through my brain. Followed shortly thereafter by, "It's sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." Over and over I let those words sink deeper and deeper until I had cleared the temptation. I've struggled with sin all my life and this one is NOT new. But it wasn't until I called it what it was - SIN, no fancy, deceptive, sugar-twisted temporary happy, but SIN ...that I was set free from the temptation.

Prob 28.13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and FORSAKES them will find compassion.

Guilty or Dignity

Do you have that outfit or two that you feel just a little guilty wearing? You become more self-conscious, you tend to watch people's reaction as you walk into the room, you find yourself tugging at the seams. I almost feel more and more nasty as the day drags on. And oh, that relief when the day ends and I can change into my pjs! 

So wait, why did I wear that outfit? What was I trying to gain by putting it on this morning? 🎶Looking for love in all the wrong places.🎶

“She is clothed with strength and dignity;” (Proverbs 31:25a NIV)

When we clothe ourselves with dignity, we can walk confidently before God and man. We can be who God calls us to be, not timid and self conscious. Dignity gives strength!

Why I'm Still Single...

I used to think it was because:

• I wasn't cute enough
• My thighs weren't small enough
• I was too introverted
• My personality was boring
• I lacked excitement in the adventure
• I didn't put myself out there enough
• I was standoff-ish
• My standards were too high
• I'd mastered the "don't even think about it" face 

And the list goes on.

But if that's true, what do I do with...

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

And according to Genesis 1:27, I was made in the image of God!

“For you(God) created my inmost being; you knit me together in my motherʼs womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:13-14. If God knit me together, that makes me a daughter of God! 

I couldn't make the two lists align. They always seemed to clash.

But what if my singleness has nothing to do with me. (Not to say there aren't character issues to be improved.) Maybe I'm more effective for His kingdom as just me.

Our God is good! We were created to bring Him glory. The whole thing is about Him and His story. I'm still single because my ministry is stronger, more glorifying to Him as just me. Married woman have great advice, insight, and wisdom. We need that. They have been through things I have never experienced. But there are some areas where 🎶"all the single ladies" 🎶 need some insight from those running the single race with them. A married woman can no longer speak to finding true contentment and joy in the single years as effectively as a single girl. 

If I were gracefully juggling my marriage, children, dinner, bills, household repairs, and adulting in general- I'd be superwoman - but I also wouldn't be as free to do what I can do now. Bible studies, game nights, swim-parties, random large acts of giving (let's just say I have a very loose budgeting system), young ladies' socials, and other spontaneous fellowships - I couldn't do it all. Yes, I want to be in the married group one day and serving Christ faithfully in that role also! But currently we (God and I) are better as just me. Singleness is not "my fault," though I have some work to do, it's about God's glory.