Tag: #Dontgiveup

Let Him In

Posted on by mrsmonarch

My Dear Friends,

If you are young, thin, and beautiful… fully confident that the world is your oyster longing to make you a necklace of priceless pearls…
If your marriage is on solid ground and your kiddos are all walking as they should…
If you can climb out of bed without aches and pains and look in the mirror naked without wincing …
If your kitchens counters are bare and tidy, and all your laundry is folded and put away…
If you can go to the grocery store without having to wait until pay day and you pay your electric bill before the cut off date…

This post isn’t for you.

But if those conditions don’t apply in your life, pour yourself a cup of hot tea and keep reading. I’m here to tell you that God sees you!! He hears you!! EVERY tear you have cried, every moan that has welled up inside your weary soul… He knows it all.

Take a deep breath and look around your house with a critical eye. Many of us are behind on a lot of projects. It takes every ounce of our energy to accomplish even the most necessary of chores. There’s dirty laundry piled up in the floor, dishes to be washed and put away, sticky fingerprints left behind by wandering little ones to wipe down. There might be dust on the furniture that’s thick enough to write a message in. 😉

If that’s you— God wants you to sit down for a moment and take a few deep breaths. He knows this motherhood thing is challenging. And… tho it is wonderful to have a clean house and to feel like you’re on top of your to-do list, He wants you to know that—in the long term scheme of things— dusting won’t really matter. Your family won’t be better adjusted or feel more loved if your house is dust free. It doesn’t work like that.

He wants you to do what you must to meet the needs of your family. Focus on quality food and quality time. Read and Live His Word to your children. Strive to make your home a place where your family feels safe, peaceful and loved. All the other things we tend to stress over really won’t be as life-changing as that. Now, take another look around your house. Each family has a different love language. What can you do in the next 30 minutes that will say “I love you” to your family? Do THAT thing. Make that your priority for today.

Your marriage? My sweet friend, whether your husband leaves or stays, Yahweh wants to be the top priority in your life. He wants you to know that in the darkness, as you curl up alone on your side of the bed and clutch your pillow in utter despair… He longs to be your husband.

God is not built of human flesh. He will not succumb to the pressures of life. His desire for you will never wax and wane. His love for you can never be undermined. He will never compare you to another and leave you feeling inadequate. He knows you were created to bring a unique beauty into this realm and you will forever be the apple of His eye. You are HIS— purchased at great cost. You are valuable beyond your wildest imagine. In fact, He utterly adores you!

Give yourself to Him completely. Fall into His loving arms and pour your heart out to Him. He has seen it all… and He understands. Allow Him to comfort you. He will lead you, guide you, protect you and provide for you. He will never leave you or forsake you. His loving Spirit will fill-in all the holes that life has punched in you and turn your shame to glory.

He also wants you to know that He loves your kiddos. Believe it or not, He loves them even more than you do! He knew their names before the creation of the universe, and He chose you to be their mother. Yes, you! With all your many faults and shortcomings— He still chose YOU. He didn’t choose you because He expected you to be perfect. He did it because He knew you were the perfect mother for the children He was building, even though you would occasionally fall short.

He took flesh and bone from your body, knitting it into your womb and then breathed life into the tiny being. You were granted the miracle of feeling the spark of life rustle inside you. Do you remember the day you first discovered you were pregnant? The excitement, mingled with a terrifying fear? You were scared you weren’t ready. You weren’t sure the timing was right (but is it ever really “right”??) Yet when the dust settled and your heartbeat stopped racing, the idea really took hold of you—-mind, body and spirit. You quickly grew to love this little being, long before you laid eyes on him. Yahweh knows that feeling well— because He experienced the same joy as He watched you grow in your own mother’s womb!

Motherhood is the highest calling He bestows, and yes— He knew in advance that there would be times when you would screw up. He knew it… and He chose you any way! Since the Creator of the Universe is confident you can do the job He’s given you…. then Momma, maybe you need to move past the doubt and into the quiet, humble conviction that, with His help, you really are qualified to do the job at hand.

God wants you to know that your children have a mighty purpose— and He is going to weave every event into something that will eventually bring benefit to them and glory to Himself— even the waywardness and mistakes that you are so grieved by right now. Ask for His forgiveness where you have messed up, and for His wisdom in the days ahead. Get on your knees and lift your family up in your prayers. They are fighting battles we can not even fathom!! They need their momma’s constant prayers!! ASK for Him to pour out His goodness upon your children; for Him to meet their needs, heal their wounds and pave the way for them to find their way back to Him! He is eager to pour out blessings upon those who search for Him with their whole heart. (And nothing will make a person search for Him like the desperation they feel over a wayward child! Am I right?!)

Don’t be discouraged! Instead, Use this season to your advantage! Allow it to re-ignite the relationship you have with the Creator! Pour your wounded momma’s heart out to Him and let Him put the shattered pieces back in a way that brings beauty and sense out of the brokenness.

For those with financial issues: It is a heavy responsibility to carry the physical needs of your family on your own human shoulders. God wants you to know that He understands the weight you carry. He wants you to know that He understands you have needs, and that He can make a way where there seems to be no way. He wants you to search your heart and ask Him for what you truly need. He wants you to trust that He can (and will!) provide. And He wants you to prove it through offering Him a portion of your First Fruits.

It will be one of the hardest lessons in trust that you will ever face! But your tithe will be like seeds planted in the garden. You will reap what you sow. If you don’t have money right now? Tithe your TIME. It is a valuable resource to the Kingdom of Heaven! But don’t cheat God and then expect for Him to pour abundantly into your life. It just doesn’t work like that. The sowing and reaping analogy is miraculous. Test it for yourself and see.

God wants me to mention that there are some of us who are living with frail and failing bodies. We have been betrayed by the ravishes of time. The days of youth and good health are behind us. The future looks dim and disheartening. For those walking that path right now? He understands that we are only dust. He wants you to know that He cares. He wants to remind you that this body, which encases our spirit, is nothing more than an earth-suit, doomed to decay. The exercise, the rigid diets, the treatments, the supplements—- eventually, they will each fail to perform the miracles we demand. But He also wants you to know that won’t be your end! It will be your new beginning—the start of eternity in His presence!

The process is scary only because we can not fathom the love Yahweh has for us! Turn to Him and share your heart. He understands the fear, the pain, the questions. He’s just waiting for you to talk to Him. Ask Him for ministering angels; for peace and surety and a sound mind. He is waiting for your last breath to leave your earthly confines— where your eyes will finally be able to see the fullness that has previously been hidden from them. He’s been there all along, my friend. Even during those dark and lonely seasons. When your eyes are fully capable of seeing all that He has done for you, the fear will melt like snow in the spring and burst forth into a joy that surpasses all comprehension.

I don’t know who this message was for—specifically. But I do know I was prompted intently to write it. It’s His love letter to you. You are the daughter of the King of the Universe and He utterly adores you! Pull yourself up by the boot strings and wipe your eyes. As long as you’re still in your earth-suit, you have work to do! Get on your knees if you can— if not, just close your eyes and get to a quiet place where you and God can have a pow-wow. He wants to love on you. All you have to do is let Him in!

Until Next Time,

 

 

 

You Are There

Posted on by mrsmonarch

YOU ARE THERE –a poem to my Creator

You are there…
When fear grows near…
and courage is lost…
When hope dangles on puppet strings just out of reach…
When determination fails us…
and our knees buckle under the weight of this world…
YOU are there.

When weariness and dread flood our soul…
And our own mind becomes our most deadly enemy…
When our allies fail us…
But our battle still rages…
YOU are there.

When the ache in our bones cripples us…
When the enemy’s plans over take us…
When all reason and honor forsake us…
YOU are there.

When skies turn black and the thunder roars…
When the elements pound us and there seems no where to hide…
When our heart aches with anguish that our tongue can not speak…
YOU are there.

When betrayal comes from those within…
And we are bombarded with the cost of our sins…
When the enemy taunts us and proclaims he has won…
YOU are there.

When all we have done feels for naught…
And our eyes grow dim with dispair…
When loss seems more familiar than gain…
YOU are there.

I’ve been asked to explain how I KNOW this is true…
And all I can say is… because I KNOW you!
I see you in the sunlight, as the first rays touch the sky.
I hear you at the seashore when the seagulls cry…
I feel you as a cool breeze rustling through the trees…
But I sense you the MOST when I’m down on my knees!

My Creator. My Provider. My Redeemer! My KING!
YOU are there!

Tho the cost of following you is far beyond what I first presumed…
And I am staggered by the reality that I still have more to pay…
Tho my body aches and my soul grows weary…
Tho my faith is far weaker than I ever supposed…
And my circle grows smaller each day…
I have the assurance that you are holding my hand…
That your love is faithful…
And my future, you command.

I awaken and once again drag myself out of bed…
I struggle to find purpose, but often find dread.
There are times I have questioned why you have left me here…
Among the dead and dying, who have no reverence or fear…
But that’s when I realize you are always quite near.
My Creator. My Provider. My Redeemer. My King!
YOU are there!

When the dreams become nightmares…
When the nights are long and morning tarries…
You send a friend when I’m lonely.
You send direction when I’m lost.
YOU are there!

You provide comfort when I am raw and battle weary.
When my mouth is parched and my soul is dust…
And even when I can not see past the bitterness of today…
YOU… My Creator. My Provider. My Redeemer. My King!
YOU ARE THERE!

 

***This poem is deeply personal; taken from my own trials and experiences. I share it with you in hopes that it encourages you to know you are not alone in your struggles. Our Creator is there — standing near; waiting for you to hold out your hand and invite Him to walk along side you. His creation stands as His witness and MY life stands as a testimony.

Until Next Time,

 

 

Today, It Was ME!

Posted on by mrsmonarch

So…You’ve headed in to your local grocery store. You’re in a hurry and you’ve only come to grab a few things. There was no need for a basket. However, “a few things” has turned into two armfuls of things and you and your bumbling necessities are headed towards the finish line, spying out the closest free cashier, growing desperate to unload your items.

You’re 10 feet from the cashier— when— seemingly out of nowhere— an elderly man zooms up to the check out line in his battery powered shopping cart and begins unloading his items.

Talk about blind-sided! He literally just appeared out of NO where. He turns and gives you a polite, innocent smile…. nods his head and bids you a gentle “Good morning”. He has no idea he’s just cut you off; that your hands are full OR that you’re obviously in a hurry.

You’re a bit tiffed… but you take a deep breath and regain your composure. After all, he’s old; and frail; and he’s having a hard time with the simplest tasks of just being mobile. You remind yourself that it’s not his fault you’re in a hurry anyway.

So… you stand there, juggling a gallon of milk, a loaf of bread, the toilet paper your husband reminded you to get as you rushed out the door and a package of fresh chicken you needed for tonight’s dinner (that is most certainly oozing e-coli from its bloody packaging.) You stand there— and do your best to offer him a pleasant smile. After all, it’s not like you’re an ogre or anything!

The toddly old man reaches deep into the side pocket of his brown polyester pants and slowly pulls out a handful of dollar bills. One by one, he pulls them from the stack, counting slowly as he stretches to reach the waiting cashier.

“Five. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen.” He places the bills on the conveyor belt in front of him, and begins the painful process of reaching back in to his pants pocket for the change that will complete his purchase. She smiles and looks up at me. I look back at her and return the smile.

The teenage boy who has been bagging the man’s items is standing at the end of the check out counter, shifting his weight from side to side, holding two bags of groceries. The old man pulls his hand from his pants pocket a second time.

“Twenty-five, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two….. OPPS!!!” He drops a coin, and a dozen customers watch helplessly as a run away penny rolls across the floor and comes to rest under a shopping cart 15 feet away. The teenage bagger never takes his eyes off the penny. He watches it roll, spin, fall over and flop around a few seconds but makes no attempt to intervene. If I didn’t know better, I’d have guessed his feet were nailed to the floor.

(In hindsight tho… I realize that what I was watching was the physical expression of the “generation gap”. To the teen-aged bagger, it was “just a penny!” There was no sense in stressing over a worthless penny!)

The store manager sees what’s happened and makes a bee-line towards the shopping cart, to retrieve the run-away penny. After all… he is older and has the experience to recognize that none of us are going ANY where until that penny is captured! LOL.

That’s happened to you—right?? (Oh my gosh—PLEASE tell me it’s happened to you!! I don’t want to be the only “ogre” in the making out here in cyberspace!) LOL.

In truth? You don’t have to admit it. It happens. To me. To others. (Probably to you too, even if you’d prefer to not admit it.) I know because I’ve watched it many, many times. Usually, I’m not on the receiving end. I’m the one who is 20 feet back, observing quietly.

Typically, the “offended” party sighs that frustrated sigh of resolution; they realize they are not going anywhere any time soon. The realization forces them to maintain their composure and they put on a slim disguise of a smile. But— (and this is a BIG “but”) —they shift their eyes from person to person, eagerly looking for “validation” in the eyes of someone— ANY one— nearby.

There I am. We lock eyes. I smile. Not that sincere, genuine smile that you give when you are actually happy about something. But that polite, “I get it” kind of smile you give when you wish to grant someone the validation they’re looking for while still maintaining a pretense of politeness that is required in civilized society.

Oh it’s nasty! Yes indeed! The worst side of humanity—hidden under the disguise of a warm (but insincere) smile. We’ve all been guilty of it at one time or another. But somehow, it had always seemed…. I don’t know… understandable. Justifiable even!

Well… today? Today, I was the “old” one who was fumbling around; frantically trying to fumble my way through a process that might have been ridiculously simple for me —30 years ago. But the problem was— it wasn’t 30 years ago! It was in the here and NOW. In real time; as a crowd of younger folks stood around and watched, uncertain of what I needed or how to best help.

I shook. Fumbled. Stuttered. And if that wasn’t bad enough?? I am not so far “gone” mentally that I was oblivious to the environmental tension around me. THAT probably would have made it easier. No. I was way out of my element; floundering around like a lost puppy dropped off on a busy road. And I knew it. They all knew it, too. There was the same smile. The same moment where I could sense eyes staring through me, searching for validation of their frustration from others in the group.

And … for the first time in a very long while… I was on the outside looking in. The circus had come to town and I found myself the sole performer. I was way out of my league and ever further outside of my comfort zone. I wasn’t making people laugh on purpose. It was more like I was the clown in one of those bull rings at the rodeo, running around frantically, just trying to stay alive. The only kind, responsible thing to do was to toss me out of the ring.

The “toss” was intended to be merciful and gracious. But my temperament doesn’t lend itself to gracefulness. LOL. I flew out of the ring like I’d been shot out of a circus cannon! Imagine for a moment— middle-aged me— in slow motion— flying through the air— eyes wide open from shock, arms and legs flaying around, dressed only in my clown suit, big red nose and Bozo hair!

Just so you get it— Being spread out like that allows you to hit the ground fully—- so that you make that giant POOF of dust rise into the air when you land. It’s the very foundation of slap-stick comedy. Except … this wasn’t Hollywood. This was a real day… in a real life. My life.

In the end? I escaped… “and nobody died.” (That has become a kind of catch phrase I use a lot in this season of life. It helps me keep the ups and downs of middle aged life in perspective. LOL.) If “nobody died”, then all the pieces of the situation will eventually work themselves out—no matter how scattered and broken or painful they might appear at the moment.

The catch phrase is true. And it literally took me DECADES to figure that out, so I share it freely and often now, like a shiny metal I’ve earned in the contest of life. It was hard earned … and is pretty solid counsel, if I have to say so myself. I hope it helps you prioritize the junk that takes up space in your head, too! (The earlier you learn to classify events with that perspective, the less “dust clouds” you will form when life “shoots you from a cannon”! haha)

I tried something new and scary. It bombed— in a most embarrassing, public way. It STINKS! But, Life is like that sometimes. At least now I know that being a “circus clown” isn’t for me! LOL. I can now safely mark that experience off my lengthy Bucket List!! hahaha.

I will spend a little time brushing the dust off, smoothing my hair down, tending my “boo-boos” and recapturing my courage. It stinks. And I am disappointed that it didn’t work out. I will allow myself a little time to catch my breath. But— I won’t let it scare me to the point of not trying new things!

I mean—seriously! Even as old as I am, there are still dozens upon DOZENS of new things to try. And something wonderful always tends to come at the end of our comfort zone! Anyway— this week finds me “back at the drawing board”.

I’m not sure what tomorrow holds, but— I will promise you this: If it happens to include a toddly old man who is fumbling around to find pennies in his pocket… I’m going to give him the genuine grace and kindness his age has earned him. I will remember what it feels like to be out of my element; fumbling my way through something others find a breeze. There will be no facade. No patronizing false kindness. I have no business being in that big a hurry anyway.

I will keep this experience tucked away and pull it out whenever I need a refresher. It was “that toddly old man” last week— but today, it was ME. “Me” makes it personal. And personal lessons are always the ones that make the most lasting impact. Don’t you think?!

Until Next Time,

 

 

 

Writing a Story of Courage in the Face of History

Posted on by mrsmonarch

I really try to bring a snippet of encouragement … a little ray of joy… into the lives of others through the words I share here in my blog. I make an effort to focus on what is “good” and “right” in the world… even when that is a bit of a struggle because of my personal short comings.

There have been many times when this goal has made me the blunt of people’s jokes; a modern day “Mary Poppins” that some believe is completely blind to the ills of this world. It makes me sigh and shake my head. If only they understood. If only they took the time to really look DEEPER… They might SEE more.

I’ll admit— these days DO look heavy and dark. They ARE filled with apathy; hatred and great evil. It would be easy to fall victim to the anxiousness which seems to be rolling in like a thick fog and covering everything in its path. And yet…

As I look back on the annals of history, I am reminded that these times really aren’t any darker than the ones relegated to the pages of history. There have always been times of great battles. There have been years of plagues. There have been grievous famines and economic failures. The only difference? They occurred in a different time… and… they affected SOME ONE ELSE.

Yes. That ouches. But seriously. Go back and read that again. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS… THEY AFFECTED SOME ONE ELSE.

We really don’t want to go back through the historical accounts of those before us, do we? We don’t WANT to read about struggles, hardships, disease… invasion… starvation… DEATH. We don’t want to read the accounts of those who have faced grave injustice; of those who have suffered horrific crimes against humanity; or of those who have been martyred for their faith. And we don’t want our children to have to hear “negative” stories, either, do we??!! We want to turn a blind eye to the events of the past.

Even those of us who claim to appreciate history don’t really want to read the events as anything more than “stories”. We certainly don’t want to HUMANIZE them and read them with fervor and emotion, for that is too painful. Too scary. Too dark. Too “negative”.

But what if … what if our take on that is wrong?

Bare with me for a minute. Take a deep breath… And let’s look at this topic from a radically different perspective. Can you muster of the courage to at least glance at this from a different vantage point? Please? I want to share something with you that has been on my heart recently and I believe it may help us see the events that are unfolding in a different way.

Yes, the pages of history are stained with blood. They are filled with horrific stories of mayhem; brutality and great sadness. This is true. But those pages are ALSO filled with acts of great courage; of selflessness; of strength and of overcoming!! The pages of history are filled with stories of those who did not lie down and allow the rushing waters of the coming flood to drown them. No, my friends. They SWAM! They FOUGHT! They CHALLENGED! They PERSEVERED! Through great hardship and much suffering, they learned to show mercy; compassion; dare I say they often learned the deeper meaning of LOVE for their fellow human. And they probably also learned the immeasurable value and beauty of life as well.

It was through great hardship that they learned how to rally around one another and protect their livelihoods. It was living in dark times that taught them to help one another. It was in great strife where they fed one another; where they learned the importance of bearing one another’s burdens. It was in dark and perilous times that their strength of character was forged, much like a lump of coal can only become a diamond while being crushed in the belly of the earth.

The character they grew was purified through trials and much hardship. And yet, without this inner strength, they would have never been able to “endure to the end”. They often stood… alone… in the face of tremendous evil… and mustered the courage to cling tenaciously to their faith … even as they faced certain death.

This wasn’t just big, burly men either! There were women, children… elderly. The faith and courage that were cultivated in dark times were enough to strengthen even the weakest, most frail, most fearful of humans. It was in these perilous times of great uncertainty that even children like Anne Frank went on to become the heroes and heroines of our time.

We really need to let that sink in!

It is ironic, yet tremendously encouraging to me that the very things that we whine about living through are the very things that strengthen and prepare us to “endure to the end”!!

My dear friends, through the pages of history, our forefathers are longing to show us that IF we awaken from our slumber— we, too, have strength!!! We, too, have the ability to stand. To help. To fight. We have POWER—- untapped power— but power none the less!

At some point, we were told that one person can’t make a difference—and we believed it— and we allowed our spirits to grow apathetic and indifferent. We have timidly chosen the easy road … and we have done so because it appears “cheaper”. Less costly. And yet… this choice has bankrupted our very souls!

Today, we are at a cross road. We each stand somewhere in the middle of our life’s journey … torn between fear… and glory! Where we end up depends on the steps we take TODAY.

Realizing that, I’m going to be rummaging through my boxes of books again, looking for biographies of men and women of faith. I’m going to be immersing myself in the presence of those who exemplify the character and strength that I long to have. I will be purposefully choosing to feed my spirit the things which I hope manifest in my life.

Then, I’m going to get back to writing the story of my life. It will be a saga filled with great adventure. Oh, it will have some tears and uncertainty for sure. But thanks to the valiant believers in history who have strengthened me with their testimonies, MOST of its pages are going to be filled with Confidence; Courage; Strength of Character; Purpose.

And FEAR will have no place in it!

Friends, every day, we open the book of our life and turn to a new page in our journey. We have 24 hours to write on it. The words and actions we carve out will become our story. When the sum of our life is over, all that we leave our progeny is our name and the testimony of what we have stood for. That reality should give us the courage to write our stories with great purpose and a faith that can endure to the end.

Yes indeed! If “history repeats itself”… so can the courage of those before us find its way back into our hearts and spirits!

What stories are YOU going to write, my dear friends??

Until Next Time,

 

 

Sweet Momma

Posted on by mrsmonarch

In life, we each have ups and downs. If I can be honest? Today feels… a little down.

This morning, I went to check on the nest of mockingbird eggs, tucked away in the wisteria vine on my front porch…. only to find it abandoned. 😢

Their momma went to all the effort of scouting a safe place and building a great nest; of lining it with leaves and feathers and depositing her eggs inside.
And then for some unknown reason… she just left.

All that work; all that effort and joyous expectation was lost. Her eggs won’t hatch because she hasn’t faithfully endured to the end.

I don’t know all the “whys”. I am not here to judge. All I’m sharing is my observation…

For whatever reason, she wasn’t where she needed to be. And now, her eggs will never hatch. And… I find that reality very, very sad.

Momma, I know our jobs are hard and our hours are long! I know there are days when it looks like we’ve gotten nothing done and we are barely staying afloat. I understand what it’s like to be weary–exhausted to the point of tears. And I realize there are seasons where it looks like we are fighting a loosing battle and aren’t making any difference in this world.

But—- that’s a LIE from the pit of Hades. And this nest stands proof of that! If their momma had diligently tended to her babies, the outcome could have been very, very different.

The Word of God tells us this as well. 

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9     

Read between the lines of this verse. God knew we would struggle with weariness. He knew that we would be short-sighted creatures who prefer immediate gratification. He knew we would wonder if we were making an impact. And, He knew we would question how long we would have to wait for our reward! That’s why He gave us this promise; and why He reminds us of the importance of remaining diligent. We can each take comfort in His promise. There IS a reward coming!

So sweet Momma— Cry when you need to. Scream in the shower if you must. Take a walk around the block to freshen your perspective. But remember God’s promises are solid and true. You DO make a difference and your precious babies NEED you! Stand your ground, Momma. In due season, you will reap your reward. 

Until Next Time, 

Baby Birds and Butterflies

Posted on by mrsmonarch

A few weeks ago, I noticed that a sparrow had made her nest in a cow skull above the door of our tiny house.  (If you look closely, you can see a few twigs from the nest poking through there on the right.)

This morning, the commotion she was making lured me outside to the porch, where it quickly became apparent that her babies were ready to leave the nest and start their own journeys.

He was SO cute… but looked so tiny and frail. I was shocked that he was already old enough to leave the nest. It all seemed to happen so quickly! As a momma myself, I could certainly relate to her anxiety.  After all, the world can be a scary place, full of dangers he couldn’t possibly be fully aware of. 

 

She continued to coach him as he moved to a branch in a tree just a short distance away. The first leg of a life long journey had begun. His momma flew off but quickly returned with a morsel of food to strengthen him for what lie ahead. I smiled as I remembered doing the same thing for my own children as they set off for college the very first time.  

As I watched the interactions between them, my weary heart found a snippet of encouragement. In a world full of so much change and uncertainty, it was comforting to see that SOME things remain unchanged. Steadfast. Dependable.

Babies are still being born. Flowers are still bursting forth with blooms. Birds are still leaving their nests. And even the lowly caterpillar is in the process of a glorious transformation!

Yes… This world can be a scary place. And it’s easy to get disillusioned. But today, I got some much needed reassurance that, in spite of everything, the important things remain.  All we have to do is shut out the “noise” & listen.

Until Next Time,

The Warrior Princess

Posted on by mrsmonarch

Do you see this picture? It’s been “one of those days”. Actually, it’s been “one of those months”. Heck. You know… if I’m totally honest, it’s been one of those YEARS! In fact, as I think back over the entire course of my existence, this picture pretty much sums up my life! And I’m not being negative. I’m being totally transparent.

Oh, I might be a slightly overweight, middle aged mother of five in the flesh… But on the inside, where it really counts, I am a warrior princess; weary and bloody from the battles I’ve fought! I AM the woman in this picture. And I bet many of you can identify with her as well.

In this world, we are defined by our physical traits. We might be “white”, “black”, “Latino”, “middle eastern”, or “Asian”. We might be called “tall”, “short”, “thin” or “heavy”. We are categorized as “daughters”, “sisters”, “wives” and “mothers”. We might be labeled students, home makers, home-schoolers, entrepreneurs, employees or “seniors”. Yes, society is always trying to put a label on us, based upon our physical traits and our “position” in life. It is human nature to categorize; to sum a person up by his or her individual parts and pieces.

But our eyes deceive us! Our eyes tend to look at the outward package and discredit what they can not “see”. Dear friends, what I want us to do today is to look beyond the exterior. I want us to look at ourselves the way YHWH, the God of Abraham, looks at us! I want us to use spiritual discernment that cuts through the physical and touches the realm where our Heavenly Father dwells.

You see, each one of us is the daughter of the King of the Universe. That makes each of us a Princess by birth! As His daughters, each of us was given a package of “royal gifts” at the moment of our conception, to be used for strengthening and glorifying His Kingdom. Each of us has been given a life customized to prune and tweak those giftings. The entire purpose of our physical life is to turn dainty little princesses into Warriors! Women of Courage; of Principle; of Honor. A unique blend of strength and softness; of passion and mercy. Yes my friends….by design, our Heavenly Father created woman to be… a Warrior Princess!

Is your path a difficult one? Of course it is! A warrior can not be formed from comfort! Do you have scars? I HOPE so! (Does that shock you? Are you wondering why I would say such a thing??)
Why on earth would I suggest that scars are a “good thing”???

Well my friends, if you have scars, it means you’re a fighter!! You see, you don’t get scarred floating down the river of life. You get scarred clashing against the rocks of life! You get scarred from swimming upstream against the current, fighting for the things in life you have deemed important. You might have scars from your childhood, because you endured situations that the enemy set up to distract you from your calling. You might have scars of insecurity from dealing with petty, mean-spirited people during those turbulent teenage years. You might be battle wounded from fighting for your marriage, against a barrage of outside forces. And of course, for those of us with children, we would likely all agree that raising a family is not a task for the faint of heart! You see….If you have scars, it means you are NOT dead! You are a survivor ! You are not as weak, frail or as broken as the world classifies you!! THAT is why I hope you have scars! They are your “proof” that you can overcome!

Our society tells us that only a slender, youthful, perfectly contoured, bronzed body is beautiful. The world says “Hide those scars at all cost!”. But I am here today to challenge that! I am here to suggest that our scars are our testimony!! They are evidence of a faithful God, working behind the scenes in our life…making good on His promises to work “all things together for the good of them who love God…” (Romans 8:28) and to make “everything beautiful in His time…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Ladies, we guard the thresholds of our homes. We nurture and protect our young. We fight for the causes we are passionate about. And, we do all of these things while we hold down jobs, cook meals, keep up with the laundry, read bed time stories and tuck children in their beds at night. I say that makes us multifaceted forces to be reckoned with!!! And the enemy KNOWS that! That’s why he tries so hard to bring us down!

Our scars are proof of our Heavenly Father’s redemption at work in us!! Yes, we might be exhausted. We might be discouraged, wounded and battle-weary. But we don’t have to be defined by our failures; our hurts; or our scars. We are Over-comers— Warrior Princesses, capable of mighty things!

We should spend our days praying for peace, but preparing for battle, for our enemy is always on the prowl waiting to devour those who are down for the count. HaSatan is always plotting against us, hopeful that he can make us question the authority we have been given! Ladies, this broken, hurting world NEEDS Warrior Princesses who will fight with everything they have in them. The weak need us. The tired need us. The hurting need us. Our families need us. Our “tribe” needs us. There will be days when we are the only thing standing between the enemy and our loved ones! So with that in mind, I propose we each get up, dust ourselves off, wipe the sweat from our brow, the tears from our cheek and get back in the game! Here’s to you, Warrior Princess! Go forth and conquer!

Until next time,

The Winds of Change

Posted on by mrsmonarch

 

The wind blew, and dozens of little white puffs of fluff began to float through the air, each carrying a tiny seed. I stood in my garden, mesmerized, as I watched them make their way through the sky. Some bumped into the fence that surrounds my garden, and dropped into the fishpond. A few got caught up in the branches of a nearby tree. Only a handful or so made it over the fence, past the tree and in to the outer realm of the yard to parts unknown.

Each of those little puffs carried the possibility of life. In fact, a seed pod contains such a vast number of seeds, that just one plant could produce thousands of offspring! But…. alas; only a few actually made it out of the garden and to a place that would allow them to prosper.

I thought about how vulnerable a process it was to be tossed about by the wind; blown to and fro in whatever direction it takes them, with out any say so or control about where they’d end up. It made me grateful that we don’t have to be subject to outside forces like that. We don’t have to follow the wind where it blows! We get the opportunity to make Purposeful choices!! We get to chart our path and determine where we land!

But then, my mind turned to symbolic “fences”, “ponds”, and “trees” … You know. All the things in our personal life that have a tendency to become obstacles. Things like…FEAR! Is it a “fence” in your life? Does it “fence” you in? Limit your activities? Does it limit your ability to reach outside your comfort zone and sample new things? Don’t be ashamed. None of us are immune to fear. But, it doesn’t mean we have to live our entire life trapped inside our comfort zone, either!

What do we fear? We fear the unknown. We fear isolation, abandonment, rejection and loss. We fear embarrassment and failure. Did you know that we can even fear success???! Yep! Even the thought of highly sought after success can be stressful and produce fear.

Why do we fear? Ultimately, fear is caused by the expectation of pain. Think about that. When we are fearful, we are actually anticipating some manner of pain, and that anxiety produces a knee-jerk reaction in us to withdraw; to protect ourselves; to hide, and maybe even to self medicate.

But here’s a simple truth: If we can’t find the way out of our restrictive little comfort zones, we can’t begin to explore new territory and plant new ‘seeds’ in our lives. That means if we can’t find a way to confront our fears— “this” is all we will ever achieve in life. Whatever level of personal or professional success you are currently in will be IT. FOREVER. Please ponder that. If we’re too fearful to sow “seeds” for tomorrow, we will stay stuck in a “survival mode”. There will never be the joy of a future “harvest”. The only way we will ever thrive and live an abundant life is to find a way to move beyond our fears!

But today’s post isn’t just about the fear. It’s about breaking FREE from fear. It’s about living and making choices that are purposeful! It’s about waking us up from a deep slumber and forcing ourselves to look at the hidden, deeply ingrained fears inside of us which prohibit us from reaching our fullest potential. The fear is already there, inside of each of us. By confronting our fears, we are doing the dirty work of bringing them out into the open; digging up the obstacles in the garden of our life that are holding us back! Admitting our fears doesn’t make them worse; it actually gives way to healing.

By now, some of you are probably screaming, “Hey……Wait a minute! Where’s the happy-go-lucky, encouraging blog we’re used to??” Don’t worry. It will be back. But today, I want to encourage you to push yourself a little bit! Take out a little notebook and list the things you are afraid of. Be honest with yourself. Are you afraid of death? Getting really sick? Loosing a child? Divorce? Financial calamity? Failure? The “coming apocalypse”? Whatever your fears, I would strongly encourage you to get them down on paper. Why? Because they are already inside of you, eating away at your energy, your courage and your strength!! When we acknowledge our fears, we are essentially taking the boogie man out of the closet. When we face them, they begin to loose their power.

Next to each fear you have listed, I want you to write down the benefit that has come from your stressing about it. For example, if you are concerned about your finances, maybe you have put yourself on a very restrictive budget and have been able to put some extra money in savings because of it. If that’s the case, this would be a “benefit” that stems from your financial fear. If you are fearful about your health, perhaps have you started eating healthier and are currently enrolled in an exercise program that you faithful attend. If so, this would also be a “benefit” brought to you by your fear.

Sadly, you will probably find that not every fear comes with a corresponding “benefit”. In fact, most of them are saddled with heavy consequences; ones that do not bring peace, joy or prosperity. How can we address those? We turn to the greatest counsel of all time— The Bible. Our Heavenly Father has told us how to root these weeds out of our garden. Below, I’ve listed 10 beautiful verses where His Word tells us how to think:

  1. Proverbs 23:7, “For as a man think in his heart, so is he…” (If you are speaking down to yourself, calling yourself names, treating yourself like dirt…. guess what?? You get what you speak! Speak Life!)
  2. 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Take every thought captive” (We can’t always stop ourselves from thinking a negative thought. But we don’t have to water and nurture it, either! Grab those nasty thoughts as soon as they pop into your head and purposefully replace them with a positive one!)
  3. Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (What a person thinks about becomes part of him. Choose what you feed your mind wisely!)
  4. Psalm 27:1, “YHWH is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? YHWH is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?” (Those who place their faith in God do not have to agonize over every aspect of their life. They can trust that Almighty God loves them and will guide and protect them!)
  5. Ephesians 4:23, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Think about this. Would God tell you to do something He knows you can’t do???! Of course not! His Word tells us that our minds CAN be renewed; reprogrammed; rewired to focus on quality things.)
  6. Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger and outcry, and slander, be put away from you” (These emotions suck our life force, drain our energy and render us vulnerable and ineffective! Ditch them! We don’t forgive others for Their benefit! We forgive them for OURS!)
  7. Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things and the God of peace with be with you.” (Basically, He is telling us to replace our bad thoughts, worries and fears with Positive ones; that we can actually train our brains to focus on the admirable things in life!)
  8. John 14:27, “My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be trouble and do not be afraid.” (What a beautiful Gift He has offered to us!)
  9. Matthew 6:34 “Do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” (See? God tells us that worrying ADDS trouble. It never prevents it!)
  10. Psalm 34:4 “I sought YHWH, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (Friends, it says ALL. Not some. Not most. And just so you grow in confidence, EVERY translation I found says ALL.)

For this week’s project: FACE your fears! LIST your fears! Write down any “benefit” you have received from them. Then, go back and re-read the 10 verses above —out loud— and repeat them to yourself as you go about the process of reprogramming your mind.

Next, find 3 things to be grateful for each and every day. Name those things —out loud!! Finally, when you catch yourself saying something negative about yourself or your life, “punish” yourself by saying something Good about yourself –out loud. Our words have power, and our brains react to what we speak out loud.

Is this the magic cure all? No, your life won’t change over night. Life doesn’t work that way. But when we till up the “weeds” in our head, we make room to plant new seeds. Those new seeds can be whatever you choose to plant; whatever it is that makes you joyful, productive and fulfilled. We DO reap what we sow; and when we sow Good things into our life, we will reap good things in due time because our life will no longer be on auto pilot, operating out of subconscious fear. When we apply these principles in our life, our “life gardens” will flourish and nurture all sorts of beautiful things, just as His Word promises!

Until next time,

Dead Potential

Posted on by mrsmonarch

When I sit down to publish a blog, I always include a picture. It’s usually one that I’ve taken myself as I’m out in my garden or running errands. From what I have been told, most people write their posts….. then go off in search of the perfect photo to enrich it. But, like most other things, I don’t operate that way. For me, I am intrigued by something I see. I capture it with a camera, and the picture dictates to me what I should write. Today is no exception.

I want you to take a long, hard look at today’s photograph. She’s stunning, isn’t she??! Yes, she is. But look closer. No—-CLOSER than that! What’s wrong with this picture?!

She is stunning, for sure. Her wings display an array of striking colors and patterns that give tribute to a Magnificent Creator. But upon very close inspection—- it becomes obvious that….. she is DEAD! Yes. Dead. She apparently had an unfortunate meet and greet with my car’s antenna, and it pierced her delicate body with such velocity that she remained stuck to it in spite of the distance I traveled.

When I first saw her there, I had a rush of emotion fill me. I was awe-struck by her beauty; the striking coloring and magnificent patterns that covered her wings and thorax. But I was also sad that her short life had come to such an abrupt end; that such a majestic creature had not lived to fulfill its purpose.

She had endured the process of living as a lowly caterpillar. She had performed the requirement of creating her chrysalis. She had put in her “time”, allowing that season of darkness transform her. She had broken free from her crusty, constricting cocoon a new creation; full of passion and life…..and potential. So why was I standing there, observing her broken body… stuck to my car’s antenna??? It seemed to be an unfitting end for a creature of her magnitude.

That’s when it hit me: Beauty and potential don’t equal success! We can not “flutter” through life aimlessly and expect to hit our goal. We must be purposeful with the time, the energy and the resources we’ve been given. All of it is limited, as are the days of our life.

We have each been given a variety of gifts; a means of expressing ourselves. We have been given strengths which are uniquely ours, placed upon us for the purpose of reflecting YHWH’s power, mercy and glory. Each time we determine to walk in our giftings, we are choosing to be a light in this cold, dark world.

Now… the world tries to tell us that it is arrogant to acknowledge that we have such gifts. But…. in truth, denying them is denying the Father’s handiwork! And yes—we are each a shining, beautiful example of His creative handiwork! After all, none of us have the power to give ourselves any true talent or attribute. Every thing we are—-everything we ever have the potential to become—- ALL of it is because He poured us full of the raw material required. All gifts are for humanity’s benefit and His glory! That is their purpose!

Some of us have the gift of teaching; some of us write, or paint or sew. We bake; we nurture; we encourage. Some of us have beautiful voices, and touch the heart through music. Each of us has the potential to extend compassion; to utter kindness; to nurse the sick. And yes, even in the midst of the darkest, most difficult of seasons in our lives, we can each pray for one another and choose to be a safe and loving port in the storm.

Today, I want to challenge you. Take a long, hard look in the mirror. I want you to see yourself through HIS eyes!! I want you to consider all the love He has for you. I want you to see the unique beauty He has poured in to you! Spend some time this week reflecting upon the gifts you’ve been given. Ask the Father to open your eyes and to show you the specific aspects of His character that He has showered upon you. Take inventory! Be honest with yourself. Are you using them fully? If you find that the frank and honest answer is “no”, commit to making a change. If you’re HERE, you have purpose. Ask Him to start showing you ways to put those gifts into action! It doesn’t have to be earth shattering. Even the simplest of actions can sow joy and peace into the lives of others!

In parting, Remember that this life is a journey which flows through many seasons. It will be fraught with trials, and dappled in beauty. We have been given all that we need to succeed. But beauty and potential aren’t enough! We can’t flutter through life, aimlessly. We have to use our gifts purposefully. Don’t be like the butterfly stuck on my car’s antenna! Don’t you DARE die without expressing yourself in the uniquely beautiful way YHWH intended.

Until next time!

The Act of Pruning

Posted on by mrsmonarch

I love gardening. I really do. I love scouring through catalogs during the dead of winter, daydreaming of enchanting outdoors rooms. I love the thought of brunches eaten on patios as whiffs of fragrant blossoms fill the air. I don’t even mind the hands on “dirty work”; like the digging and weeding. But I DO hate one aspect of gardening with a Passion—and that is the pruning process!

For those of you who don’t do much gardening, pruning is when the gardener has to come through her garden spaces and evaluate the progress of her plants and trees. She has to single out those plant groups which have grown too thick and pull some of them out by the roots. (Good, healthy plants, mind you!) She has to consider each plant’s needs and cull away nearby plants which interfere. Any thing which has grown too thick or so tall that it shades other sun-lovers is targeted. Even the stems with gorgeous blooms are not immune. If it gets in the way of other plants getting what they need, it’s snipped! It’s a necessary process if you want healthy plants that reach their full potential.

If it sounds tough—-it IS. It’s my least favorite part of gardening. Oh, I understand the science behind it. And yes, I realize it’s an essential part of maintaining the garden of my dreams. But it is so hard to cut away beautiful, healthy growth! My heart just aches as the pruning sheers trim back the branches and dozens of unopened blooms fall to the ground, never to kiss the sun with the fullness of their potential.

Their only fault? It isn’t the proper time; or this isn’t the appropriate space for all they have to offer. They are just … “too much”. So, even though they possess the promise of great beauty, and even though I hate to do it, I …..I cut them back. I prune. And even though it pains me for a little while, the remaining plants have room to grow and the reward my garden offers as thanks is more than worth it. Every. Single. Time.

As I take a long, hard look at life, I am forced to see that the ebb and flow of people meandering through it is subject to the pruning process as well. There are 7 billion people on this planet; most of them beautiful, kind, talented souls. But there is no way any of us can maintain intimacy with such a vast number of humans! So usually we limit ourselves to a manageable number, compiled from an eclectic selection of childhood friends, college room mates, co workers, etc.

As our individual world’s change, the friends we surround ourselves with do as well. Most of the time, it happens quietly, with very little conscious awareness, just like the seasons fade from one to the next. But occasionally, it feels a lot like the “pruning sessions” a gardener must perpetrate. When that occurs, whether you are the one with the pruning sheers in your hand, or…. you are the blossoms that fall to the ground…. the experience never ceases to be painful.

But, once again, the pain doesn’t automatically mean it’s unnecessary.

“People pruning” occurs for countless reasons. People move. Interests change. Misunderstandings and offenses go unaddressed. The list of reasons is as endless as the people who make them. Some times, both sides can clearly see the reason behind it. But many times, understanding eludes us.

It leaves me thinking about those sunflowers that were towering over my antique rose bush last week. They were blocking my rose bush from getting the sun it desperately needs. They were gorgeous. They were…..simply in the wrong place. I guess they didn’t understand when I pulled them up and tossed them aside. But, my entire garden plan was laid out around that rose and if I had left them, the rose bush would have died.! I could not compromise the mission of my garden for a handful of sunflower sprouts that wound up there completely by accident!! I have to be more purposeful than that; and if this is true about a garden, how much more so is it true about the relationships in our lives?

There are times when we may not understand the reasons behind changes in our relationships. It just “is”. Perhaps, like my sunflowers, the “time” and “place” just weren’t “right”. Does this grieve our hearts? Most definitely. Loss usually stings! But when we take a few steps back, and allow ourselves the benefit of a fresh perspective, we can usually see benefits from these “people prunings”, just as we see them in our garden.

In our heads, we all understand that None of us has the ability to maintain endless numbers of relationships. We each realize that we must be guarded and purposeful with our personal resources. We all know we must be willing to welcome the natural ebb and flow of people and experiences in our lives. And, we also are aware that loss is an unavoidable part of life. Yes, the head understands. It’s the heart that has trouble “getting it”.

I can’t keep it from hurting. I can’t even speed up the healing process for you. But I can assure you, through my experiences in both the garden and “life”, that pruning brings beauty; that beauty brings gratitude. And that beauty Plus gratitude eventually bring peace, even to the most weary of souls.

Friends, take time to “prune your garden”. Don’t be afraid to remove the people who don’t contribute. Cut back on the folks who suck up too much of your limited resources. Dig up and toss away those who only bring negativity. Offer more time to those who bring joy into your world. Nurture the people who are helping you reach your full potential. And, make room for new people— even if it means pruning some old ones away. It’s not easy work, but your efforts will be blessed, and the “garden” of your life will bloom as a result!

And that is this week’s lesson from the garden.

Until next time,