God wastes nothing, not even the freezing temperatures!

This may not start out as one of my regular types of posts.  It's more like a diary entry.  However, I have the feeling God will show Himself throughout it as He wastes nothing, not one thing, and the event I'm going to tell you about is no different.  So, prepare for a long read, because there is much to share.

“Many are cold, but few are frozen.”  Oh, this quote by fellow "The Chosen" extra Mimi Barker sums up the day we all had yesterday.  About 2200 of us converged on the Midlothian, Texas area, just south of Dallas.  We all arrived at different times, and our journeys were as varied as we are, but we all shared an incredible opportunity to be a part of one of the most amazing Christian media projects to date. And here is a bit about mine.

If you are unfamiliar with “The Chosen,” please check out www.thechosen.tv and watch Season 1.  You can also download the app in your app store and watch it right on your phone or stream it to your TV.  It is a TV series about Jesus’ life and ministry.  Unlike most Bible projects, this is the first series of its kind.  Co-written and directed by Dallas Jenkins, the son of Jerry B. Jenkins (co-author of the Left Behind series), it brings Jesus to the screen in a way we have never seen before.  Fully God and fully Man, we see Jesus perform miracles as well as brush his teeth, make a meal and even laugh.  The cast has been divinely handpicked and represents the disciples and the life of those who lived in the First Century.  I could go on and on, but really, it’s best if you go check it out for yourself.

I have been following the show since 2018 when it first began to gain some major social media attention.  Hooked at the start, we as a family, have followed and supported this show - the most successful crowd-funding media project of all time.  Fortunate to be an investor on a miniscule level, we have been supporters by spreading the word and purchasing lots of merchandise (cue nervous laugh here as I admit I might be slightly addicted to "The Chosen" swag. . . )

We were able to sow a little seed into the project financially last year which had one promising perk – participating as an extra for the filming of the Sermon on the Mount (hereinafter “SOTM”).  Not knowing when this might occur, I tucked this excitement away and just awaited the email that said it was time to RSVP. 

Now, I will tell you, when that day came, I was quite giddy and I RSVP’d as quickly as I could and send all three of our names and pictures.  Once we had received confirmation and the details, we made our travel plans.  We were to go to Texas just four days after my daughter’s thirteenth birthday!  Sounds like fun, eh?  Keep reading!

About three weeks before we were set to depart, I received an email with more details, including instructions on how to prepare our costumes.  Wait, what??  I somehow missed that tiny detail and kind of freaked out.  Soon, I began “buying all the things” on Amazon and visiting local thrift and discount stores.  The Lord showed me where to shop, and amidst the stress of getting it right, I was able to outfit the family.  Of course, Hubby’s costume was tweaked last minute as he arrived home from traveling the night before we were to leave.

As we began to prep, a wonderful community on Facebook was created to foster connection and to help with tricks and tips.  I even participated in a couple Zoom calls with some lovely folks and was humbled and blessed by all the encouragement that was poured out by my Christian brothers and sisters.

And, then the day came.  Traveling began at o’dark thirty (6 am) with a trip to the Cincinnati/NKY airport.  Delayed due to snow and ice, we were late getting off to Chicago, only to be delayed again due to weather conditions.  We finally arrived in Dallas!  WOO-HOO! 

Whelp – that celebration was short-lived as we discovered my pro-traveler hubby grabbed the flight attendant’s bag instead of one of our bags.  After a bit of frustrations, we were able to track down the bag as it traveled to Birmingham, Alabama and back and reunite the flight attendant with her bag and us with ours.  The funny thing was that we had the two suitcases of costumes and it was our personal bag that went missing temporarily.  Still, crisis averted and although we spent an additional couple of  hours driving in order to retrieve the suitcase.  In the end, we had everything we left home with.

During our wait for the Birmingham plane to return, my daughter had her first Jack-in-the-Box meal as well as her first of two Whataburgers.  Evidently, a couple of the YouTubers she watches live in Texas and speak often of these delectable treats.  She is now hooked on Whataburger, yet, unfortunately for her, there is no such thing in Northern Kentucky.  At least she can say she tried it and found a fast food burger she actually likes!

One of the neat things about the SOTM Extras Facebook group was that we were able to connect with others. After connecting with a few who were staying at the same hotel as we were, we met in the hotel lobby with about twenty others and prayed for the filming day, the cast, crew and even for each other as well as the impact the show will continue to have as it progresses.  Now, if you know me at all, you’ll know I am not the shy type and quickly connected with some new friends, exchanging numbers and making plans to meet up on set.  What a wonderful way to end the evening! 

The next morning, we were up bright and early, donning our costumes over thermals and double socks.  We had been watching the weather and although originally predicted to be in the low 50’s, it was in the 30’s with a wind chill in the 20’s.  My daughter got a rough start to the day amidst all the prep.  All I could do was pray, and try to bite my tongue as the teenager in her reared its ugly attitude.  Even hubby was highly frustrated and hangry, but we managed to get in the car and make it to the stadium.

Upon arrival, around 9 am, we joined the line of cars waiting to enter the parking lot for our rapid Covid antigen tests.  Prior to arriving, everyone was required to get a Covid PCR test and show printed results that we were all negative.  As we sat in our designated parking spot, we witnessed an army of volunteers quickly and efficiently check us in, administer our tests, and send us on our way to park the car after our negative results.  This took about 10 minutes.  Not bad when you’re processing around 2000 people (which they began to do as early as 5 am!).

The cold was already biting at us as we boarded the bus for the fifteen-minute drive to the set. Now, when I say “set,” I am referring to the large field somewhere on the Salvation Army property that is being utilized by "The Chosen" for filming.  No brick and mortar buildings, just a few tents, several tables with chairs, a plethora of port-o-potties and a stage for the entertainment.  It was COLD.  I was able to grab one cup of coffee and a few snacks before they all ran out.  We then sat at a table to rest and await instruction. 

On the bus, a sweet man from Oregon, whom we “adopted” for the morning.  He was one of many whom we would meet at that table.  Several would come and go throughout the morning and we all talked about where we hailed from and how long we’ve been following the show.  I don’t remember when, but at some point, two more women, whom I will refer to as J and B, joined us.  Being the shy, retiring extrovert I am (HA), I invited them to hang out with us as they had arrived alone. 

I don’t remember how the time passed, but between picking up pre-purchased merchandise, eating lunch and listening to Phil Wickham, Michael Jr., Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes perform for us, our new friend from the bus ventured on and we adopted J and B.  However, by this time, the frigid temps had my daughter on the brink of hypothermia and despite our many efforts to warm her, she could not make it out in the elements for the shoot.  J, B, and I headed towards the field designated for filming and an angel and her friend allowed my frozen girl to warm herself in their truck.   Again, the vast number of volunteers who were literally the hands and feet of Jesus are to be commended for their kindness, love and support.  Well done, my friends, well done.

The ladies and I decided we were going to be a group of women traveling together and sat huddled up on our blankets as we waited.  B offered her blanket to a mom holding a child who was crying due to being so cold.  Another sweet lady, C, joined us by this time.   A band of frozen, merry women were we!  We were asked to removed all coats, socks, glasses, and anything not First Century as well as silence and stow our phones.  We “milled about” and then sat to listen to Jonathan Roumie  (Jesus) speak parts of the Sermon on the Mount four separate times, trying to warm our frozen toes and hands in between takes.   Finally, we were given a break for about 30-45 minutes.  We left our blankets with another dear lady and headed back to the warming tent to meet up with my family and take a much-needed potty-break.

Now, I will have to tell you that God had His hand on this whole trip from the beginning.  He showed me His favor as I had noticed that certain giving levels allowed for certain numbers of family members to attend.  At the level we sowed, only one of us should have been on this trip.  However, despite this policy, there were spots for all three of us.  And, yet, still, only one of us actually participated.

Hubby stayed with my daughter in the warming tent until I came back for the break.  It was then we decided it would be best if he took her back to the hotel.  It broke my heart and I had already shed tears because I had so wanted this to be a family event.  But, as I said at the beginning, God wastes nothing and their going back to the hotel was part of His plan. 

As it was decided that they would leave the set for the warmth of the hotel, I asked J if she could give me a ride back as she, too, was staying at a hotel in the same area as we were.  She graciously agreed and hubby left, taking J's merchandise with him to be retrieved when she dropped me off.   Then, off to the frozen field we went!

By this time, we had shared a little bit of our journey.  Just enough to pass the time.  The next series of shots involved Jonathan (Jesus) speaking a few paragraphs as we sat and listened (without our warm coats, but our feet were covered and a bit warmer).  It was a blessing to see Jonathan work as he first had to mentally get into character and then would pause and start his lines again if it didn’t feel right or he said something other than what was scripted.  During these scenes, the four of us women tried not to allow the sound of our teeth chattering to be a distraction as we shivered in the wind as it blew against our backs.  Three takes and an hour or so later, our roles as extras came to an end. 

Here's where I feel to remind you that we go through tough times that take us to places in the wilderness from which we must claw our way back to faith.  These are the places where our testimony is formed.  These are the places were our ministry in God’s kingdom grows and these are the places we see God’s sovereignty and plan.

As we wandered back to the main area to get on the bus, I began to share my testimony, although I’m not sure why.  I think someone asked me about it after I shared I was a Messianic Jew.  Through the course of my sharing, I mentioned I suffer from depression.  This is where I truly saw God moving.  My sharing sparked something in my new friend, J.  As we boarded the bus, we sat together and she shared a little more of her story.  She didn’t want to be there, actually, but her husband insisted.  She, too, suffers from depression and has been in a deep depression for many years.  My extroverted sharing and transparency allowed God to open the door to an opportunity for us to connect further.  I was getting excited.

As we said our goodbyes to B and C, J and I made our way to her car and eventually back to the hotel area.  Hubby had invited her to join us for dinner at his favorite pizza place and her husband and daughter, who had been back at their hotel for the day, agreed to join us. 

I shared more of my story with her and when we reunited with our families, it was like meeting old friends.  My daughter and her daughter hit it off immediately as did our husbands.  During the course of the evening, J's husband revealed that he had prayed over her, asking God to bring someone into her life that she could connect with.  As I listening in awe, my belief that my meeting her was a divine appointment became more apparent.  I was humbled and blessed.

My meeting J was not coincidence or chance.  Yes, my friends, I was there for a purpose.  Despite the challenges of traveling, despite the heartache of my family not being there with me during the majority of the event, and despite the bitter and numbing cold of my body, I would do it all again if just to meet this precious woman.  I made so many beautiful connections over the few hours we were in Dallas and out on the frozen tundra.  This event was more than just partaking in what I believe to be one of the most impactful media projects of all time.

I witnessed thousands of people be the hands and feet of Jesus as volunteers ministered to us and as the body of Christ ministered to others on the field.  I met and shared stories with believers from all over the country.  And, I met J, a God-ordained connection, that I pray He will water and cultivate into a long-lasting friendship.

J – if you are reading this, which I imagine at some point you will be, thank you for being obedient to your husband in just setting foot on that field, for being obedient to God as you persevered through the elements and for allowing me to see you as you are – a beautiful, complicated, broken yet blessed woman.  I look forward to the journey ahead, as the Lord allows it to unfold, and to continue to show that God wastes nothing, not a single nanosecond, for the good of those who love Him.

And to you, my reader, if you have stuck with me through this long and elaborate post, I pray you are reminded as well, that God sees you, knows you and is working all things together for your good, and not one hair on your head is unknown to Him.  Press on, my friend.  Press on.  He is with you and will never leave you nor forsake you.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Even in despair, God speaks.

When I was in the seventh grade, I had terrible writer’s block for an English assignment.  My dad was trying to help me through it and got so frustrated that he had to walk away.  Still, he came back and while I was still mad, he told me that I just needed to start writing and eventually the words would come. His advice has stuck with me through all these years.  And, so, here I am, doing just that - just writing. I don't know where this is going, but thanks for coming along for the ride.

It’s not that I have writer’s block, per se; it’s more like I have “life” block.  I feel stuck.  I feel overwhelmed, depressed and oppressed.  I don’t like who I am, who I’ve been or where I’m going.  I don’t even know where I’m going.  I’ve lost my drive, my dreams, my passion and my way.

It’s not easy for a Christian who has written blogs of encouragement to admit she is struggling so deeply.  It feels quite hypocritical.  I feel like everything I say I stand for has given way to the dark reality of where I’m really at.  I stuff my feelings behind a façade of confidence and strength.  The truth is, I’m crumbling inside and my anxiety is through the roof.  Tonight, I let the tears flow, but most of the time, I stop myself.  I don’t want anyone to see me hurting, but the pain inside of me eats at me all the time and I'm sure that it shows.  I feel I’ve lost touch with God.  I cry out to Him, but I don’t feel like I’m worth hearing.  Even as I type that, I know it’s a lie.  But, somehow that lie has become extremely loud.  

There are so many places I feel like a failure, especially when I use the lens of comparison.  I could elaborate, but that feels a little too raw right now.  I know comparison is the thief of joy and joy is yet another thing I've lost.  I don’t have discipline.  I'm not motivated.  I don’t have structure.  The  list goes on.

Even knowing I’m a child of God, I feel ”less than.”  I hate the things I hear in my head.  I hate that I don’t have the strength and faith to press in to Him.  Oh, me of little faith.  I have faith enough for others, but not for myself. 

It’s hard to even reach out for prayer.  I feel so lost and hopeless.  It’s ironic, isn’t it?  Despite all the writings I’ve published on my blog, I am the last to feel encouraged.  Such a hypocrite.  Such a fraud. 

 Yet, the Spirit says write…..

Here Me, My Daughter.

I AM with you.  You are not as alone as you feel.  You don’t need anyone or anything else but Me.  I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Stop fighting Me.  Stop trying to “fix, manage and control” everything in your own life and in others’.  That’s not your job.  Your job is to sUrrENDer.  Remember that word?  You’ve been resisting Me for long enough.  You are listening to the wrong voices.  Hear only MY voice.  I AM the one calling to you in the distance.  If you would be still long enough, if you would quiet your mind long enough, and  turn your heart towards Me, you would hear My voice.  Remember, I AM not in the chaos; I AM in the whisper.  Breaking is part of My process.  Yet, you have resisted and it has become more painful that it needs to be.  Why don’t you trust Me?  I AM the only One who is trustworthy and true.  I have the balm to heal your deepest wounds and the scalpel to cut away the hard parts of your heart.  sUrrENDer.  How much longer will you suffer at your own hand?  I desire to heal you, cleanse you, make you new.  I can’t do that if you resist Me. I want ALL of your heart, not just pieces.  What is it that you fear the most?  Give Me that fear.  I have not given you a spirit of fear and timidity, but I have given you a spirit of power, love and a sound mind.  I will not make you do anything, but I ask you to yield yourself to Me.  I have never left you nor forsaken  you.  I AM with you always, in every trial and every triumph.  Do you remember the formula I gave you?  Trust + Obedience = Blessing.  I know you feel your faith is small.  But you know that all I require is a little faith – the size of a mustard seed.  Stop leaning on your own understanding and press into Me for My revelation.  Continue to talk to Me in prayer, bringing Me a spirit of gratitude.  I know that feels insurmountable right now, so find Me in the little things for I AM there, too.  I know you feel like a complete failure, but remember that I can work all things for good for those that love Me.  I know you love Me.  Let Me love you.  I created you for a purpose, for a time such as this and have called you to walk in that purpose.  The enemy wants nothing more than to see you give up.  But, that is not an option. Remember the Scriptures I strung together for you a few years ago? 

“I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me for He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in [your] weakness' because the same Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead lives in me.”

My Spirit, the Holy Spirit, dwells in you.  He intercedes for you when you don’t know what or how to pray.  He guides you even in your distress.  Let His voice be loudest in your head. Let My voice speak to you from the pages you find hard to read right now.  I will help you focus. . . I just need you to try a little harder.  Release your pain to Me and I will show you how to be free. I will order your days, guide your steps and calm your heart if you let Me.  I stand at the door and knock. . .it’s up to you to let Me in.

 

Even in the depths of despair, God speaks.  When I sat down to write, I had no idea where it would go.  Perhaps it would just be an outlet for my tears, a written release of my pent up emotions.  Perhaps I would write out all the things that are troubling me, causing me to stumble.  In a way, I wanted to just argue with God and tell Him all the things I couldn't stand about myself.

Instead, the Spirit took over and spoke directly to me.  I pray He is speaking to you, too.  May each day bring new revelation and blessings to each of us.  May we seek to love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds.  Above all, let our hearts be receptive to the love He so freely offers us and paid the ultimate price for us to receive.

One Tear At A Time

Some days are harder than others.  Some are even harder still.  Lately, there are more of the latter.  Putting it all into words is difficult.  All I know is that these days are full of tears.  

There was a time when I couldn’t cry.  The pain in my heart was so deep, it practically surpassed the place where my tears lived.  I wanted to cry, but I think I felt numb.  Sometimes, I wish I was numb once again. Crying takes a lot of energy (and makes my eyes puff up!)

I know I’m not the only one to bring my tears before God.  I can’t imagine the ocean of tears that is brought before Him on a daily basis.  But, as I write, I am reminded that how we bring our tears before God can determine how we move through the pain that causes them.

In Luke, Chapter 7, verses 36 through 50, we read about the woman who came and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them away with her hair.  She then anointed him with the precious perfume of her alabaster jar.  The Pharisees were appalled, as they knew her only to be a sinful woman.  But, Jesus looked at her tearful offering to be one of pure love and adoration.  And, he said to her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”(v. 50, NLT)

There is so much to unpack in the entire passage.  However, I’m feeling led to concentrate on the last verse.  I will reiterate it to help us really grasp a hold of its truth: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

First, let’s look at the woman’s offering.  She offered him not only her most prized, worldly possession, the perfume in the alabaster jar, but she offered him something even more precious – her tears.

The world often looks at weeping as a sign of weakness.  Even in our closest relationships, tears come when we are hurt, whether by word or deed.  Our tears come forth in times of physical pain, emotional trauma and even burn hot when we are angry.  Tears of joy seem to be rarer still, but if we consider this woman’s offering, we can see that her tears flowed from an incredible place deep within her soul.

Tears for the pain from the work that never seemed to end.  Tears for the wounded emotions resulting from her own choices and at the cruel words others had hurled at her.  Tears for the anger that raged within her as she listened to the world trying to define her.  Tears for the joy at meeting her Savior, and tears for the gratitude at hearing Him say, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

You and I shed tears for many of the same reasons.  Sometimes, we choose to let them fall, and at other times, we wish we could keep them hidden.  We must remember, however, that our tears are never hidden from God.  He actually values them!  

Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.” 

It’s an incredible thought, isn’t it?  Each tear we cry is precious to our Heavenly Father; so precious, in fact, that He collects and records every one.  

And, what does He do with them? He counts them as our faith offering and extends to us His peace in exchange.  

As hard as it is to fathom, when we cry out to God and we offer Him the substance of our tears, He shows us that we can come to Him with our burdens and exchange them for His peace.  Does He not tell us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Our tears represent our burdens, the things that weigh us down and keep us from moving forward.  Instead of offering my tears to Jesus, I have held on to them too tightly, bottling them up by the gallon.  It seems as if the more I cry, the more I hold on to the things my tears represent.  

But, that is not what I’m supposed to do with my tears. No matter what caused them to form, I am to run to the feet of Jesus and pour them out as an offering, exchanging the pain for the  peace and love of my Savior.  

I’m not saying this process is going be easy.  It takes faith to lay down your pain.  It takes faith to trust God for the exchange.  Even so, if I can give Him one tear at a time, that, my friend, will still be progress, for my sorrow will eventually become joy. 

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”(Psalm 126:5-6, NLT) 

On the Edge of the Promised Land

I'm sure you've heard how hot and dry the desert can be. I often think of the swirling dust storms and the furtive movements of the creatures that call the sun-scorched land their home. I think of the dry, cold nights, where you can see sky for miles and miles. The mere thought makes my mouth feel parched.

Yet, these days, it is not my body that thirsts; it is my soul. You'd never know it to look at or even have a casual conversation with me. On the surface, I project my normal congeniality and most are none the wiser. Yet, deep inside, my heart pants like the deer for water - Living Water (Psalm 42).

When I think about being in the spiritual desert, or wilderness, so-to-speak, I think about the Israelites after they left Egypt. What could have been a three-day journey turned into forty years. An entire generation perished during that time. They grumbled, they complained, and they longed to go back to the land of their captivity. Yet God still provided everything they needed, and even more, He travlled with them! Cloud by day and fire by night, the Lord never left them (Exodus 13). And, still, they longed for something more.

I am faced with the same situation, thousands of years after Moses led the Israelites to the edge of the Promise Land. I have been grumbling, I have been complaining and I have been longing to return to something more familiar. Yet, I know the Lord is with me and He is providing everything I need. His presence has never left me.

Earlier this evening, I participated in a wonderful online group chat. Something that really resonated in my spirit was that the Hebrew word for "fulfillment" means "verified promise." Think about that with me for a minute - the fulfillment of God's promise is verification that He meant what He said! So much more than a casual commitment, it is the realization of all things that God speaks into existence. So much more than words, it is THE Word, made flesh. It is Jesus, Himself.

As I pondered this revelation, it occurred to me how weak my faith has been. Instead of pressing in to God and following His path to the fulfillment of His promises for my life, I have been asking God to "verify" His promises on my terms! How pompous! Who am I to demand anything from the very One who gave me all that I have to begin with?

I have come to realize that in the desert, we are distracted by the problems we face. We forget about the oasis that awaits us. We instead seek out the outcome we hope for and get angry and bitter when we discover it's all been a mirage. And then we quit, right before we get to the place where we can rest. We sit on the edge of the Promise Land and blame God for all that went wrong.

I don't want to sit on the edge of the promise. I want to carry on the purpose I have been called to and see it fulfilled. I want to be like Joshua and let my faith lead me and shows me a land flowing with milk and honey instead of the giants who block my view.

Perhaps this holiday season, the dry places of my soul can be watered and renewed. For too many years, I've gone back to my own version of Egypt, and I have allowed my soul to be taken captive by the comfort of the misery from which I have been set free.

This is not where God has called me to stay. The Egyptians of my past have already been defeated. I have walked through the Red Sea and traveled a long distance. Now, as I stand on the edge of where God wants to take me, do I want to allow the fear of the unknown and my own preconceived terms of the awaited promise to keep me from tasting all that is good before me?

No, instead, I will press into God, asking Him to wash me with the cleansing rain that soaks the dry ground and gives life to my weary bones. The desert is giving way to the rich soil of God's goodness. No matter how far I have traveled or how much further I have to go, God has already verified His promises to me. There are too many to count, but I assure you, that the greatest of them has been in the coming of His Son, just over 2000 years ago and the salvation that came with Him.

May the fulfillment of God's promise to the world in His Son, Jesus Christ, renew your own journey as you move into the New Year. Don't stand on the edge of your Promised Land, taken captive again by the things that cannot be changed or affected by the pain you hold in your heart.

Let the Light of the World shine brightly on your future and may the joy of the season be yours to keep all the year through.

"For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6

Even the Black Cloud Holds Rain

I used to think that depression was just a form of emotional stress.  I then learned that it has to do with chemical imbalances and other physiological sources.  But, I have learned that there is another component to it as well – something deeper, more powerful and potentially deadly.  It’s a spirit sent to distract, tranquilize and ultimately kill.

While this may sound a bit melodramatic, let me just start by saying I’ve been dealing with depression since I was a child.  Like many, I was a victim of sexual abuse at a young age, which lead to many other complicated emotions and personality traits.  I did not know it was considered abuse at the time, as I was six and my abuser was still yet a child himself at nine.  Yet, the black cloud that followed me from that moment on brought heavy seasons of pain, guilt and depression on and off throughout my life.  

We used to treat depression in Christians as taboo, almost as if it was spiritually impossible to believe in God and yet still feel down and out.  In recent years, both believers and non-believers alike medicate their emotions with prescriptions, holistic alternatives, and unfortunately, other self-directed methods that drive a person further down the emotional black hole.

Regardless of what psychologists and psychiatrists say, we cannot solve a spiritual problem with man-made solutions.  Our healing comes from deep within us, but only when we have tapped into the supernatural love and grace that was placed in us by our Creator.

Let me get real and raw for a minute.  Depression, anxiety and mental illness is a spiritual stronghold in my family.  It’s roots run deep and we have been unsuccessful in ridding our land of this curse.  It has caused me to think terrible thoughts, thoughts that lend themselves to leaving this life.  As disturbing as those thoughts are, I know that is not what God has planned for me. Nonetheless, the depression runs deep and seems to control me when life has seemed to beat me down.  But, I’m beginning to realize that I have been looking at this all wrong. What I see as a persistent black cloud of pain, the Lord sees as a source of renewing rain.

I believe I have mentioned before that I have learned that our lives are our land.  You and I have been allotted our own pieces of real estate in the scope of God’s Kingdom.  My responsibility is to tend to my plot -  ripping up my own weeds, tilling the soil, and spreading the seed.  I’m not to interfered with another’s plot unless I am directed to do so by the Lord.  I certainly can’t remove any of their weeds, because even weeds serve a purpose.  But, what about that rain?  

We can say that the rain comes from the tears we shed during the trials we face.  Yet, I believe I am learning that isn’t always the case.  The rain comes once we have hit rock bottom, cry out to the Lord in true surrender and He releases the Living Water upon our soil to renew our souls.  

That black cloud you think that has been following you, bringing you pain and heartache, is really the fullness of God’s mercy, waiting to be released upon the dry land of your heart.  We cannot loose the blessings of Heaven on earth if we continue to hold fast to the sin that binds us.  Whether it be simple and seemingly harmless or over the top, sin is sin and it separates us from our Father in Heaven.   His heart is to bless us, to see us flourish and grow and draw others to Himself through us.   Yes, even in the desert, He is present and He longs to shower us with His mercy.  Our job is to surrender ourselves to His will.

Surrender is more than just a white flag.  It’s more than just giving up and caving in.  Surrender to God is allowing the end of ourselves to give way to a new beginning in Him.  Sometimes we have to get to that end, to feeling downcast, desperate, on the brink of giving up altogether.  David felt that way.  In Psalm 43:5, we read “Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (HCSB).  

Yes, I will put my hope in God.   What others may mean for evil, God will use for good.  (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28).  In my weakest moments, when I am looking up for answers and I see that black cloud following me, I will sing praises to my Lord and King, and lift my hands to receive the glorious renewing rain that has been stored up just for me.

"Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain-- The LORD who makes the storm clouds; And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man."  Zechariah 10:1 (NASB)

Be Careful Where You Till (A Flourish Devotional)

As I walk my dogs each morning, I pass a rose bush. Earlier in the spring, the bush budded with coral blooms, a beautiful sight, indeed. However, a broadleaf weed began to grow at the base of the bush. As each week passed, the weed grew taller and my dislike for it grew with it. The weed is now taller than the rose bush by at least 2 feet and is almost as tall as I am.

To be quite honest, every time I pass it, I want to cut it down. Yet, I have a problem: the weed and the bush are growing in my neighbor's yard three houses down. Let me tell you, if they were in my yard, the weed wouldn't have survived a week.

One morning last week, I passed the odd combination of plants, and the Lord said to me, "It's not your weed to kill. Every plant, no matter how beautiful or distasteful, has its purpose in my Kingdom." I heard what He said, but I didn't want to receive it.

Curiosity drove me to the internet to find out just what this weed, a.k.a, plant, might be. I discovered that it is called "Common Mullein" and actually has a variety of medicinal purposes, among other things. As it happens, the taller it grows, the more beautiful it becomes, as small, yellow flowers begin to appear as it reaches its maximum height. In my mind, pretty flowers or not, it was still just an overgrown weed.

You can only imagine the mixed feelings that followed. "But, Lord," I said, "it's such an eyesore! Why do they let it grow like that? Won't it hurt the rosebush? I wish I could cut it down!" But, as He always does, the quiet whisper of the Holy Spirit came and changed my point of view.

You see, as we discovered earlier this week, "trials till the soil of our souls so that the seeds of faith fall on fertile ground and take root." However, your trials are not the same as mine and vice-versa. The journey to our growth is individual, not collective, although you and I may be receiving the same message. The important thing to remember is this: we cannot till land that does not belong to us.

Jesus likened our hearts to that of soil in Luke 8, the Parable of the Sower. We will pick it up in verse 11:

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest. (Luke 8:11-15, NLT)

Most of us can quickly determine the nature of the soil of our own hearts. We'd like to say we are all "good soil." But, the reality is, many of us are still tilling our land, moving through trial after trial, ripping up weeds, planting new seeds and praying for growth.

I'd ask you to consider this, however: how many times have you looked at the trials in someone else's life and seen the hard ground, rocks, thorns and weeds? Have you felt like me and wanted to take charge of their lives and either turn them around or save them altogether?

You and I have no right to remove the obstacles in somebody else's life just because it makes us uncomfortable.

We are exhorted by the Apostle Paul, ". . . you must continually work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: for God is the One Who works in you, both to determine and to work, for His good pleasure.(Philippians 2:12b-13, The One New Man Bible, emphasis mine). My spiritual mama and counselor puts it like this: "Each one of us is working out his own salvation and deliverance." 

Just as Jesus likens our lives to the farmer's field, you and I can look at the landscape of our lives and realize that we have enough of our own tilling to do. We lack the time and energy to till someone else's. While it is important to come along side each other and lend a helping hand, ultimately, we are each responsible for the fruit in our lives. Only by walking with Jesus can we weather the storms, endure the trials and yield the harvest He has commissioned us to cultivate.

My point is this, whatever thorn or weed I see in my sister's life that makes me squirm and feel the need to remove, the reality is that she needs to work that ground with God, and I need to see her do it. Both of us will see the glory of God manifested in her life and the promise of His faithfulness fulfilled. We overcome by the "blood of the Lamb and the Word of our testimony" (Revelation 12:11). Sometimes, we need to allow the ones we love to endure pain, heartache, disappointment, sorrow, loss and devastation so that we all may rejoice in knowing that God is sovereign regardless of how ugly things look.

The Lord says to Hosea in Chapter 10, verse 12, "I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’" (NLT)

There are two ways to look at this verse, as we close. First we can identify "the hard ground of our hearts" to be the rocks, thorns and weeds that are left in our lives by a prior generation, placed by our own actions and choices, or allowed to exist because God has something to teach us. 

However, I'd like you to focus on a different part of the verse, "for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you."

The thought I'd like to leave you with is this:  The trials in our lives are appointed by God. There is no hair on your head that He does not know (Luke 12:7), nor is there a trial or challenge in your life that is unforeseen (Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 1:4). God chooses when to allow the trials in our lives because He is ready to do a work in us. There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), so do not misunderstand me. Your path, your journey, your purpose, is entirely ordained and orchestrated by your Father in Heaven, to include when and where He chooses to grow you. 

As I said before, you and I can choose how we will receive the trials in our lives. We can allow our ground to remain hardened, full of fear, bitterness, unforgiveness and the heavy stones of unrepented sin. We can allow the thorns and weeds to grow, as improper thinking, willful ignorance and inappropriate relationships choke out the good seed that has been sown into our lives. 

Or, we can embrace the love of the Father, as He uses trials, purposely and carefully crafted, to grow our character, secure our foundation and allow the seeds of faith to flourish.

The Price of Growth (Declare - A Flourish Weekly Devotional)

Be sure to visit the Flourish website!

For the last couple of months, I have felt a deep stirring in my soul. It's hard to put into words, but it is like the rising tide of the ocean, slowly and steadily increasing from within. I sense it more acutely with each message I hear at church, each powerful believer I encounter, and most of all, as I spend time with the Lord.

Yet, as the tide ebbs and flows, I begin to realize that there is so much more within my reach. So many times it feels like God is calling to me, yet the voice is distant. I feel His presence, the warmth of His Spirit, and in an instant, it gives way to the cold of the world around me.

Perhaps you have felt like this on occasion. Perhaps you feel this way now. You may be wondering why this feeling takes hold of you at all.

That beckoning, that yearning, that pulls us into faith in the unseen is called growth. As our dear Flourish friend, Helen Baker, wrote, "Flourishing has everything to do with where we are planted and with our response to God during the good and bad times." Helen spoke of several Biblical heroes who grew in their faith through pain and heartache.

Growth comes at a price: the enduring of trials.

James 1:2-5 tells us:

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. If you don’t have all the wisdom needed for this journey, then all you have to do is ask God for it; and God will grant all that you need. He gives lavishly and never scolds you for asking.” (The Voice)

(click image to download printable scripture card)

According to the One New Man Bible, "A trial is a heavenly test that forces a person to choose between God's will and his own nature or understanding of what is right. By standing in faith, we serve as witnesses to the world of His power working through us."

Most of us shy away from any kind of test, spiritual or otherwise. We fear failure or exhibiting sub-par performance. I might be the odd woman out here, but tests in school came easily for me because I liked to study. I was "that" student (a.k.a. "the nerd"). Tests were the easy part of school for me. However, not everyone around me felt the same. I'd venture to say that a fear of failure was due to lack of preparedness or misplaced focus.

Isn't our daily walk with Jesus the same? Life's ebbs and flows cannot be predicted, but you and I can be prepared for them. It's an open book test! Yet, so many of us feel like failures because we are not studying the material. It is the heart of Flourish to teach you the methods and practices of getting in the Word each day,  born out of a desire to see your life transformed. Our hope is to see you experience the joy of growing in the midst of the trials you face:

“You should greatly rejoice in what is waiting for you, even if now for a little while you have to suffer various trials. Suffering tests your faith which is more valuable than gold (remember that gold, although it is perishable, is tested by fire) so that if it is found genuine, you can receive praise, honor, and glory when Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, is revealed at last.” (1 Peter 1:6-7, The Voice)

As we grow more secure in our identity in Christ, a transformation takes place. We become unsettled and uncomfortable in situations where we once felt content or indifferent. Our entertainment choices change; how we speak, think and act changes, and our circle of friends changes as well. We are moved to action where we once stood as bystanders, and we begin to question our old patterns and habits.

Trials till the soil of our souls so that the seeds of faith fall on fertile ground and take root. The Spirit of God waters those seeds, giving them the nourishment they need to grow deep and strong. Robust roots give us the strength we need to endure the hard times.

God gave me Jeremiah 17:7-8 as my life verse, and I believe that it sums up what my heart wishes to convey:

“But blessed is the one who trusts in Me alone; the Eternal will be his confidence.

He is like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots beside the stream.

It does not fear the heat or even drought.

Its leaves stay green and its fruit is dependable, no matter what it faces.” (The Voice)

Helen shared Psalm 92:12-15, which precedes Jeremiah, but speaks of the same rooting in the Lord:

"The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him."(ESV)

Tests will come -- it's a given. But you and I have the opportunity to change our perspective about going through them. We can choose to grumble and fight against all that God is teaching us, or we can embrace the winds of change and choose to grow in the Light of the Son, receiving the sweet rain of mercy and grace from Heaven:

“And that’s not all. We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness.” (Romans 5:3-4, The Voice)

In Him,

Embracing the Proverbs 31 Princess - even if she's tardy. . .

I had the honor and pleasure of following up the concepts of the Proverbs 31 Princess for the ladies of Flourish.  Additionally, they allowed me to speak about how the Lord developed this concept in me via a video interview.  I've just taken a little too long to post it.  Be sure to visit their website!  You are sure to be encouraged!

Should you feel so inclined to watch you can view the video here.

The article can be read below (and found here):

Embracing the Proverbs 31 princess

Earlier this week, we discovered that we are royalty. I pray that you have been able to meditate on and embrace this truth and your spirit has rejoiced! While we focused on Psalm 45:10, there is ample Scripture to verify that indeed our spiritual lineage is that of a royal family line.

1 Peter 2:9 tells us, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.” (NLT).

Isaiah 62:3 says “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” (ESV).

And finally, 1 Timothy 6:15 declares that our triune God is “. . . the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (NLT)

For many, accepting that we are a Proverbs 31 Princess is an act of faith, in and of itself. It’s contrary to the way we think. The majority of us have never been told that we are royalty, let alone that we’re worthy, beautiful, intelligent, and so-on.

Ladies, it’s time to see ourselves differently! You and I must take hold of the fact that God’s children are not like everyone else. We aren’t supposed to be! Deuteronomy 14:2 tells us, “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” (NLT)

Still, just as our five Disney princesses yearned for affirmation of who they were on the inside, we must seek that affirmation from God in His Word. Being a princess can be a wonderful thing, but if you don’t know who you are without the crown, the crown has no worth.

In the early part of 2016, I personally wrestled with this truth. To be honest, I still struggle. I have the knowledge of who I am, Who my Father is and in Whose image I was created, but living that out proves to be difficult at times. It takes daily effort to remind myself who I truly am and not allow the world to define me.

As we dig a little deeper into our truth, I’d like to share with you some excerpts from a blog post I wrote last year:

“If you are anything like me, you want to be more than you are. We are always comparing ourselves to another woman who seems to have it all together. What we don’t see is that none of us really has it all together. Impeccably dressed, well-manicured, flawless makeup, charming children and handsome husbands all seem to indicate a perfect family life. But, we’ve all heard the cliché, ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover.’”

Behind all the outward perfection, there is likely to be a woman who is a complete and utter mess. Beautiful jars on the outside, but shattered pieces on the inside. Many of us don’t want to admit it, but we feel like failures for failing to live up to what we perceive should be the epitome of womanhood. We are a far cry from the woman whom we are called to be.

Many of us struggle with the notion of the Proverbs 31 Woman. I know I do. I have often thought that she was a woman of myth, a fictional character that could never materialize in the here and now. Even ladies of days past strove for the perfection that we have come to believe the Proverbs 31 woman exemplifies.What we fail to see is that the Proverbs 31 Woman is built into our DNA. We just have to learn how to tap into her.

It has been my own unwillingness to embrace that which is within me that has caused me to fail.

In my quiet time I asked God to help me understand. He told me this:

“Your worth is not measured by your ability to cook or clean. Your worth is measured at the Cross. I know you by your name. Not the dirt and the grime. But, I have called you to a purpose. To love Me above all else and follow My commandments. In loving Me, you will find your true worth measured by the cost of My Son’s very life, given for you.

“In serving Me, you will find joy, hope, peace, contentment and affirmation in knowing that you have pleased Me. Your family will feel loved and cared for. You are My vessel through which I can care for My son and My little child. I can perform many miracles, but I still need you to see that you are here on purpose; for such a time as this. . . .

“Do you see? You are more than what you believe yourself to be. . . . You are more than what you see in the mirror. You are more than what you see around you. Take hold of your destiny and purpose in ME first and the desires of your heart will be fulfilled.”

My dear friends, our lives must be a reflection of the One Who created us. We find ways to reject this truth, citing a traumatic childhood, failed relationships, negative influences and a myriad of other excuses. And, the crux of the matter is that I can share Scripture upon Scripture with you, but if you don’t desire to know who truly you are and reject the Word as it is given, it will be like seed scattered on rocky ground.

You and I have been given so much more than a magic pumpkin turned coach or a charming prince to woo us.

No, our Prince gave His very life for us at Calvary’s Cross to ensure our place in God’s kingdom was secured. Our worth can be seen in the nail-scarred hands of the One who loves us beyond measure. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” (NLT)

Proverbs 31:10-31 provides with a model for being a Christian woman. This woman is set in the context of the culture of that time, but you and I can still aspire to be called “virtuous and capable.” Living in the modern age does not disqualify us nor does it nullify her. As I said earlier this week, it doesn’t matter what season of life you are in, you are the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 Princess.

God gave me a list of attributes that the Proverbs 31 woman exemplifies. They are not merely adjectives, but qualities which can truly become our identity. I created a word art printable that I would like to share with you.

Place it in a prominent place so you can encourage yourself when you don’t feel like you measure up. Feel free to share the printable with others as you partner together with sisters in your walk.

As we come to a close, my prayer for you is simply this: Embrace who you are.You are not defined by your past hurts or mistakes. You are not defined by your family strongholds. You are not defined by your career or your financial status.

You are precious. (Isaiah 43:4)

You are unique. (Psalm 139:14)

You are favored. (Proverbs 8:35)

You are called. (2 Timothy 1:9)

You are redeemed. (Isaiah 43:1)

You are loved. (John 3:16)

So, wear your crown with dignity. Serve the Lord with excellence, using the unique gifts and talents He has given you in the season and position to which you are called. Dress your heart with the royal robes of the Father’s love and embrace your status as the Daughter of the Most High King.

In His service,

Download a beautiful printable copy of the Proverbs 31 attributes HERE.

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The Proverbs 31 Princess and her ghost writer. . .

God never ceases to amaze me.  He places certain people in our lives when He sees it will be good and profitable for His sake.  A few months ago, I was invited to mom's night in with three other beautiful women.  I knew two of the three, and by the end of the night, I had definitely made a new friend.  

Jenny is one-half of Flourish, a ministry to women, dedicated to seeing them "flourish" in their knowledge of God's Word.  I'm always in awe of women who have the courage to put themselves out there and pour themselves out.  Jenny is no exception.  We spoke about writing, encouraging, ministry and homeschooling and I counted it joy to get to know her.

A couple of weeks ago, I ran into Jenny at an event and she mentioned to me about possibly being a guest writer for her ministry.  The excitement never left me and I began to pray about what God would have me share, whenever that may be.

Well, this week, I had the honor and privilege of writing the devotional for Flourish. What God gave me was an incredibly powerful message to share about the Proverbs 31 Woman, clothed in regal gowns. I additionally have the opportunity to expand upon the teaching later this week.  I am grateful for the edits Jenny and Mindy made to my submission and, again, humbled to actually be asked to write in the first place!

As a woman who loves words, words, themselves, cannot express the joy I have in sharing what I believe is God's heart for His daughters.  It's why I blog.  It's why I believe in the material God gave me to write in my book (which is still a work-in-progress!)  Perhaps this is just the nudge I need to hunker down and get that project done.  Ghost-writing isn't necessarily my thing, but I guess, if God allows me to write a message that will touch the hearts of His people, I am glad to be the typing fingers that sends gets it out.

In the meantime, I'd love to share with you the message of "The Proverbs 31 Princess."  Please be sure to check out Jenny's ministry, which she leads with her friend, Mindy, at Flourish. Sign up for their weekly devotionals and their upcoming Proverbs study! You can join them on Facebook here and stay encouraged all week long! 

And, without further ado:

No matter where we are in our walk with God, many of us struggle with our identities. Although we have called on Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we still struggle with who we are in Christ. We know we have become a part of God's family, saved by grace, given mercy, and forgiven of our sins. Yet, for many of us, we still don't know what that means in light of the person we see in the mirror.

There are two truths I believe God wants you to take hold of today.

You are a princess in the Kingdom of God.

You may have heard this popular inspirational quote, "I am the daughter of a King who is not moved by the world for my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His." We love the truths expressed here, especially when we are trying to lift each other up during times of trial. However, this is not just a "feel-good" meme for us to post on social media and the walls of our homes, but a truth that God wants us to take hold of deep in our spirits.

While there are many Scriptures that represent the truth of this quote, I'd like for you to consider one of my favorites, Psalm 45. While it describes the royal court, the writer directly speaks of God on his eternal throne (Psalm 45:6). Additionally, scholars attribute the Psalm as describing Christ's relationship to the Church which is described as the Bride of Christ. Verses 10 and 11 in the New Living Translation state:

"Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say.
Forget your people and your family far away.

For your royal husband delights in your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord."

(click on image to download printable scripture card)

Did you catch that? We are "royal daughters" in the Kingdom of God. He delights in our beauty! Dear friend, did you know that it's not just the beauty that can be seen with the eyes that makes our Heavenly Father rejoice over us? It is our inner beauty that brings Him such joy! In 1 Samuel 16:7, God says that He "doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

This brings me to the next truth I'd like to share with you:

You are the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 woman.

For many of us, including myself, we read about the Proverbs 31 woman and immediately disassociate ourselves from her. She is described as a "wife of noble character" (v. 10) whose "children stand and bless her" (v.28), and most of the time we hardly feel we fit that description. Consider with me, however, that no matter what season of life you are in, you are a combination of the two truths I have set before you:

You are a Proverbs 31 Princess

You may be asking how in the world I have come to this conclusion. In our culture of film and various media, we are bombarded with images of those with whom we would gladly exchange places. We oftentimes identify with one of the characters we've seen portrayed in Disney films, famous for their female heroines portrayed in stories of adventure and romance. Perhaps you are like one of these fictional princesses:

• The wayward daughter who longed to be someone other than who she was and be part of someone else's world.
• The daughter who was stripped of her wealth and status, demoted to scullery maid, desiring nothing more than to be valued and cherished as she had been in the past.
• The beauty who willingly risked it all to save the only family she had left and subjected herself to the "savage beast."
• The independent, strong-willed princess who longed for a destiny other than her own and was beguiled by the ways of her culture while she tried to change her fate.
• The princess who was hidden and raised as a peasant girl until the day she learned of her true heritage, yet still fell to victim the very circumstances from which she was originally protected.

I do not have to name them for you to identify with them. All of them have experienced some kind of ordeal. And, all of them had to reach down inside themselves to find their inner strength.

Let's view the five young women I have mentioned in light of Proverbs 31.

• Each one, in the midst of her trial, desired to be someone she was not; yet, she found that her circumstances formed a strength of character which was "more precious than rubies," regardless of her station in life. (v.11)
• Each suffered some kind of hardship, but persevered as she found she was "clothed with strength and dignity." (v. 25)
• Each had to deal with darkness in the heart of those who oppressed her, yet she brought "good, not harm" to those around her and found a way to "extend a helping hand" and "open her arms" to those in need (vv. 10, 20).
• While young in age, each girl dug deep within herself to speak "wise words with "kindness." (v.26)
• These girls were “energetic, strong, and hard" working regardless of their position. (v.17)

The difference between these fictional princesses and you and me is that we truly are daughters of the most High King. Each one of us possess what we need to be the woman described in Proverbs 31. You don't have to be married and have children to fit her description. We all endure hardship and possess strength, dignity and integrity, serve others with kindness, energy, strength and hard work. We each have been given the Spirit of God, which enables us to live out these qualities in everyday life. Romans 11:9 tells us "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.”

So, rejoice, dear sister! You are not just an ordinary woman going through the throes of life, destined to stay where you are. You are the jewel in your Father's crown! You are a Princess who is every bit the Proverbs 31 Woman.

As the Scripture says, "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but YOU surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:29

Michelle Flaugh is a fourth-generation Russian Jew who became a believer in Messiah at the age of 25. While she grew up in Plano, Texas and has lived in numerous places, she calls Florence, Kentucky home. She is wife to Rob, momma to Kyra, and (step)mom to Cody and Amber. In addition to being a wife and mother, she homeschools Kyra and serves with several ministries. Her deepest passion is to share the heart of God with others so they can embrace their identity in Christ and learn to walk in the calling and purpose God has on their lives. She currently blogs, as the Lord leads, at Armsofgracejourney.blogspot.com.