ATTENTION!

Life can change in an instant.

We aren't promised tomorrow, but we have hope in tomorrow. 

All too often I suffer from the "Moses complex" of feeling inadequate; and I miss out on so much because I let myself forget that when I am less, God is more and that He truly desires to work in and through me. Oh me of little faith...

Well, He got my ATTENTION! today.

I'm sharing this, not for personal gain or empathy, but rather to give glory to God most high...

As I was on my way to my daily commitment (my job) I was waiting by a crosswalk for my signal to cross. The walk sign appeared, and I entered the highway. Across from me was a slow moving bus, who seemingly hesitated for me to cross. Then, I hear the rush of the engine as it speeds up and is full swing headed right in my direction. The good Lord allowed me to be attentive enough to see it, protecting me with His mighty hand, and I was able to jump back out of the path of the fast approaching bus. Had I realized how close the mirror came to hitting me in the head, let alone mowing me over, I probably would not have been very emotionally stable today. Again, let me emphasize that it's only because of God's protection on my life that I was safe; nothing of my own power or so called "luck" saved me today. Only God.

As I continued to walk (in safety) someone called out, "Are you okay?" I just waved in reply, shaking my head in affirmation. Then it actually hit me: I could have been creamed by that bus...I could have been seriously injured, or even dead. In an instant. That quickly. Never even really thinking that I would or could be hit by a moving bus. Not that we think about how we die, but it was enough to transition me into deep thought. Immediately, I was thankful rather than being filled with frustration. Thankful that my life, truly is a miracle. Not just one time; not just when I was born; not just when Jesus died to save me; not just when he rose again; but my life--every day that I'm alive--is because of Him. My life is a miracle each and every day. Why have I lost that? How have I lost sight of that? How could I not truly believe and LIVE that each and every day? 

I responded. With a simple statement: "God, you have my attention. I'm listening..."

So I listened. 

And listened....

Shhh----do you hear? listen now, with me. 

That still,

small

voice.

There. That's Him....just listen.

What I heard from Him came partly from His word and partly from a book I've been reading as a type of devotional. A couple of weeks ago, I prayed for guidance in a certain area of my life, specifically. I read through a few chapters in the old testament that was brought to my attention again this morning. God reminded me that what I'm fighting for, no matter what it is, it is never my battle to fight; it's His. I'm His. Therefore, He will fight for me, in my place. (2 Chron. 20:15-16)

God had also brought to the forefront of my mind the promise of Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."  This weekend, when I heard the following song, Oceans, by Hillsong United, I recalled scripture where Jesus called Peter out of the boat (to leave his comfort zone). As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water to meet Jesus. The moment he looked at the circumstances and acknowledged himself in the flesh and was afraid he started to sink. As he called out to Jesus, He reached out and saved him. (Matt 14:22-33)

A few of the devotions I read today had the titles of: "Boxes", "Timing is Everything" and "Anything, Everything and Whatever". Priscilla Shirer spoke to me in each of these sections in her book The Resolution for Women. Therefore, the things that I resonated with, I would like to share with you:

"Being your best at what God wants you to be doing--that's the thing to shoot for."

"As you're able to determine what your current priorities should be, and as you're obedient in setting other things aside for the time being, don't fret that you'll never again have the opportunity to spend time pursuing them."

"Whatever moment you're living in will cue you toward the responsibilities that are inherent for you in this time and space. So do those. Focus on those. Give yourself permission to say no to certain things that are not really yours to carry right now. And force yourself to delay certain things that aren't your primary mission for this moment."

"If you and I will take the time to zero in on our unique, divinely given set of 'whatever you do' qualities and commit to bringing them wholeheartedly to the tasks the Lord has given us, He will help us not only accomplish those tasks sufficiently but also in a way that brings Him glory."

"There is value in the unique way that you mother your children, love your husband, do your job, oversee that committee, participate in that organization, and spend your time. It's what you do. It's how you do it. And that's what He has promised to undergird with His power, causing Himself to be magnified through your actions."

"So take a second to consider what God has uniquely equipped you to do, as well as what He's asking of you (and what He's not asking you) at this particular season of life."

"Don't save your best for later."

"Scout out what God's Spirit is compelling you to do, and believe that if He called you to it, 

He will empower you to do it in a way that brings honor to Him. 

Then cooperate with Him.

Bring your best to it right now. Right here. Right away."

"Bring your best. 

Even if no one notices. 

Even if they notice but don't appreciate your efforts. 

Do it anyway. For His glory."

The purpose of my experience this morning turned out to be revealed in a brief prayer meeting tonight with a couple of my friends. We had expressed some of the same ideas, and even had a shared vision. We've eyed the same properties, and God just keeps tugging at my heart to follow through. I don't feel that I know what I need to know, but He's calling me to be a part of this. Here and now. And due to the near "close encounter" this morning, I was able to share with my friends, first hand, not only the fragility of life, but that my life is truly a miracle; each and every day. God calls me to live it as me just the way He's made me, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139).

So I leave you with 1 Corinthians 10:31  "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Purposefully Feminine: It's Good to Be a Girl

Shirer spoke into my life with this particular segment. It's not something I've never known, but to the contrary, what I've always known; it's just difficult to remember my own value and seeing myself the way God sees me. This is what I've been trying to do--see myself the way God sees me. I am in a class that is a bit of a capstone for my bachelor's degree, forcing me to focus on myself. The goal of the class is to recognize my strengths and have a plan to be able to use them in my future endeavors as a "manager". I can see God's hand in it so boldly, because He's teaching me that I need to love others and see the beauty in them that God has made them with; the same beauty that He's made me with. The words that Shirer wrote are as follows:

"'God created man in His own image...He created them male and female' (Genesis 1:27) You, as a woman, are worth neither less nor more than your male counterparts. You are different, obviously, but only in function, not in value.
...
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But you, sister, are not only an equal partner in the created order; you have been called 'good' by God Himself--'very good' (v. 31)

And not just good but necessary.

Adam alone couldn't accomplish the tasks assigned to mankind by the Creator. Man was in need of a partner, someone who could help him fulfill his mandate. Without her, these endeavors would go undone.

So from the beginning,  God placed a mark of importance on women. They were (1) good because they bore His image and (2) necessary in the achievement of His purposes on earth. Look around you at the sphere of influence the Lord has placed you within. This circle of people and circumstances is in need of you. The touch, experience, wisdom, and feminine heart you bring into these arenas are all required if their outcome is to be what He has purposed it to be. You are not an addendum, a last-minute afterthought that can be tossed out without notice. Without your participation and input, much will be lacking. This was God's intention."

Most recently, and quite often, I experience things that  tell me I am not valuable. However, I MUST remember that those encounters are NOT God's truth. That even when I feel inadequate or I've messed up, God's grace is bigger than even me and He truly values me and my efforts. I am so thankful to God that I was wonderfully and purposefully made and that He cares about even the tiniest detail of my life. His Grace surely is sufficient for me...

"here's my heart, Lord, speak what is true."