Pressing On

Time caught me by the hand and pulled me along, begging me to leave yesterday behind. But I couldn't keep yesterday hidden away in the closet, so I tucked it in my pocket to still keep it close. And I put on my shoes only to follow time out the door, chasing after tomorrow.

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:13-14

Becoming

There is an advantage to blooming later in life. Late bloomers don't run the risk of sprouting too soon. Somehow, they have an innate understanding of saving the best for last, or for later. They realize that life is not about the science of blooming, it is about the art of becoming.

Who are you in process of becoming?

Or who have you already become?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Growth

If I had only known then the things I know now, I would have lived in a place of perfect peace when reality reared its ugly head. I would have counted the cost of sacrifice before catering to my own comforts. And I would have fiercely stared fear in the face before backing down.

If I had only known then the things I know now, I would have been able to leap without knowing where I would land. But back then I could not even get my feet off the ground, much less sprint through life with confidence.

Still, I take comfort today in resting with a relaxed understanding of who I have become.

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."
-Philippians 1:6

Dreaming

Sometimes dreams disappear while plans fade into the background. So I wave goodbye as darkness settles in. At one point the future seemed bright, now it only seems invisible. But then, just as twilight surrounds me, a fog rolls in, bringing with it a change called morning. And my hope reappears with the sun, reminding me not to give up on those dreams that disappeared in the night.

Have you stopped dreaming? If so, wait for a new day.

"Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning."
-Psalm 30:5

Focused

Life is a tightrope. A fine line on which to balance. Lean a little too far to the right or to the left and you may fall off. So you concentrate. And you give. And you take. So let me ask you this: What is your focus? We all need a focal point, don't we?

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus . . . " -Hebrews 12:1,2

A Reflection on Womanhood

When I wanted to hang up my hat and go home, I remembered I was still just a woman-to-be wrapped in the heart of a girl. So I packed up my gypsy ways, tightened my grip on commitment, and walked the road most traveled: the road to womanhood. Day after day I walked until eventually I disappeared. Maybe I was lost. Maybe I was found. Either way, the girl I once was is not the same as the woman I have become.

How would you describe your journey?

"When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things."
-1 Corinthians 13:11

A Statement

Leaves fall in a cascading shower of red, yellow and brown. At this time of year a jacket is a necessity for some. But for this Floridian a jacket is a novelty. It almost becomes a fashion statement.

And I wonder if it's the same with Christianity? Do we sometimes wear religion as a necessity or a novelty, depending on what kind of statement we want to make?

What kind of statement are you making?