On our way home the other day we saw a beautiful rainbow. It has been a while and I am always in awe of their beauty! We were like tourists trying to capture the sight! There is beauty no doubt in a rainbow, but there is a promise as well. God's promise is there in the sky for us VISUALLY! There is something about that today that is hitting in a new way. That what He says - He will do! I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. (Genesis 9:13)
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I've been studying a series of devotionals on YouVersion called "The Marriage Talks". As a divorcee, I wanted to review and relearn what marriage can be. It's hard when it goes wrong and divorce happens, but as in any situation there is learning and growing for the future that can take place. In part 4 of this series, there is a deeper dive into Proverbs 31. I really loved the insight brought into these verses. One verse that particularly stood out was Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Below is what followed in the discussion of the verse - you could read more online: But in Christ, she is confident that she is growing and that He is molding her. That is her source of strength. That is her dignity. She doesn’t get caught up in insecurities because she knows that she doesn’t have to be more than enough—that she is enough. She who abides in Christ knows that she is being conformed into His image and can therefore just let go of her own failings and cheer on those around her who are doing great, and have grace with those who are struggling. Knowing who she is is to me the definition of dignity. And it’s not a dignity that she has to put on to look like she has it all together, but it's a humility and an honesty coupled with a love for others. It’s having self-confidence while having the confidence of others. Read that quote more than once. I have never thought of dignity in this way...a humility and an honesty coupled with a love for others. I love that. And the combination of self-confidence while having the confidence of others...wow.
Oh, that I might be clothed with dignity -- being conformed into His image...letting go of my failings, cheering on those around me and having grace for those that are struggling. Knowing that in Him - I AM ENOUGH. I've been thinking about passions lately and what it is like to experience the excitement of another person's passion for something. Sometimes it is the passion for something that will push us to step out of our comfort zone in order to extend that passion in new ways.
She showed off her consultant goods to us and we've been able to smell all the samples. Every time she talks about Scentsy - she herself seems illuminated like one of those warmer lights! She is passionate about it and it makes me want to know more (and have more...which is dangerous to the pocketbook). She never pushes the sales, never expects a sale -- which is even more enduring.
I can think of areas in my own life that my passions have pushed me out of my comfort zone as well. However, there is something special with watching a loved one be pushed by their passions and shine. Well done friend -- keep shining! “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:14-16) I had the opportunity to visit Weston, MO this last weekend. It is the cutest - it has so much rich history and some really fun shops. As we were walking down main street, I noticed a little museum that drew me in with a note about stained glass.
I was speechless at the beauty and intricate details of this art. It was almost beyond comprehension of the process, quality and early years of the works that were displayed. These tapestries are considered the most beautiful tapestries in existence. Silk tapestries are the art form of weaving silk textiles producing pictures and images. Structurally tapestry is composed of thousands of small rice shaped dots of color. These dots are created every time a weft travels across one warp and can be made either more blended or diverse by controlling of each dot; i.e., the spun silk itself and/or the weft bundle. (https://nationalsilkartmuseum.com/home) Be sure to check out the website links. If you have time, this alone is worth a drive to Weston, MO. This would not have been a "normal" stop for me. And a side note, the only stained glass (which was what drew me in), was in the gift shop. But I am so glad that I was drawn in, there was something very special about this place and the museum director -- passion, knowledge, history...passing on knowledge and enjoying the beauty of design. While in Weston, I also had the opportunity to enjoy some live music as well. It was a very inspiring weekend of the arts! I love seeing people use their gifts, talents and passions for others to enjoy. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. (Romans 12:6) In my singleness, may my desire to know You as my First Love remain throughout my life regardless of relationship status. Let it be so. Bring me deeper. And if Your plan is marriage for me, help me to be postured for that, in Your perfect timing. (YouVersion Devotional) This quote hits me so deeply. My desire is and has been to know my Jesus as my First Love. I needed to love Him first and continue to love Him first...no matter what. You as my First Companion. May You be established as First in my life, and may that never change even if my status changes. One area that I missed was companionship - coming home and sharing my day with that companion and friend. This is an area that I'd caution another single to be careful in. It might be easy to seek companionship in a person first. Doing this can lead to investing in the wrong person or for the wrong reasons. Instead, seek companionship in a relationship with Jesus first.
As I was working through this post, the song Hidden started playing. I love the words of this song! Check out the lyrics - link and give it a listen below! I could have posted so many words that speak to me, but the ones below are my anthem...I want to seek You first, I want to love You more, I want to give You the honor You deserve. I truly have been overcome by the incredible beauty of His perfect love and how it can shape the love that I give to others as well.
What supposedly will be an "easy" (non surgical) fix, is going to take work on my side. Remembering to apply gel and take ibuprofen, attending PT and following their homework. A lot is on me with this fix....which is often true with life. But can I be honest? I wanted something more magical...that didn't involve this much of my attention. It also takes a little hit on my ego to admit that I need ARTHRITIS gel. I'm good with pain gel, but something about it saying arthritis gel makes me feel older than I want to. I know it is a little silly. So now my "magical" solution is assigned stretches. If you could see my face right now...you could read just how excited I am with this. I have my routines already - where am I to remember to do this in my day? I need to trust that those stretches are going to give me strength and provide for the knee needs. Speaking of trust. I've talked about learning to trust and a friend the other day mention "sore trust muscles". That really hit me and I liked the idea of developing trust muscles! As I let go and trust, those muscles are stretched and can get a little sore. But I'll take it...I know that it is growing and strengthening me. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5) Look at the growth in that verse.... problems/trials --> growth --> endurance --> strength of character --> hope of salvation
So...stretches it is. Stretch --> strength
Let me assume the stretching position! And yes, I'll be doing my knee exercise too. |
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March 2024
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