I
have been facing a great temptation for a long time now. It is a
situation that I had come to despise as a weakness I saw in others and
could never imagine them letting even their thoughts go there. I then
became involved in a battle with that same temptation and my compassion
and heartache for others has grown exponentially. It has also helped me
to more completely forgive others in my life who have caused me to
suffer because they were unable to resist temptation.
Hmmmm....
Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe that has been the purpose of this
struggle. It's to enable me to develop character "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."Romans 5:3
Maybe
it's time I do just that.... glory in my sufferings because it is
strengthening me and growing me into a person who more closely resembles
the beauty found in God. I am germinating, stretching and unfurling
like a fragrant, gorgeous flower sent to enhance lives and encourage
others to delight in this thing we call life. (Yes, I did sit here
daydreaming of myself swirling around in a sunlit field, the folds of a
gossamer gown unfolding and flowing as I twirled.... I've told you that
I can be a bit meladramatic.... haha)
No,
I'm not loving this suffering but I can change my attitude about how I
view it. I can ask God to enable to see the amazing things that are
being developed in me, and as these things develop, I will see my inner
peace grow. How amazing is that?! I am transforming into someone who
can bless the world but in the process I'm receiving the biggest gift of
all! Peace.....
You
are a flower.... you are unique, beautiful, creative and amazing....
As you relax and allow God to happen through you, instead of trying to
make Him happen.... the most spendiforous things will begin to take root
in you. Relaxing into God... allowing your trust to grow.... will
cause transformation in you that you never believed possible.
Like
a flower, you will continue to transform and evolve through the layers
of soil, the rains, the hurricanes, the blazing heat, and the gentle
sun as a natural result of your growing trust in Him. The flower seed
does not grunt, groan, push and make things happen. Things happen
naturally in response to the crap... uh.... I mean fertilizer.... it
receives, as well as the tending, watering and light it receives.
Relax....
quit trying so hard to develop as a Christian woman of character and
begin to enjoy this journey and all it has to offer. The more you
relax and enjoy, the more you will come to recognize and appreciate each
layer, each triumph, and yes.... even each trial. I deliberately use
the word trial here instead of struggle because it is my hope that I
will learn to trust Him with each situation to the point where I no
longer feel like I'm struggling, just surrendering to Him.
Will that ever happen in my lifetime? I don't know but I can hope can't I?!
Relax
today and begin imagining what it is like to be loved right where you
are, for who you are today. If you face a situation in which you don't
know what to do, try to imagine how you would handle it if you knew you
were completely loved today.... if you could completely trust
today..... After all, it's all about today- this day, this hour, this
moment....
Quit
trying to figure out tomorrow and let your essence be a fragrance that
anoints this day and everyone in it. After all, you are perfectly and
utterly loved just for who you are..... And have fun!
“She cast her fragrance and her radiance over me..." Antoine de Saint-Exupery
*I borrowed quotes from a spectacular book called "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul
*conformity - compliance or acquiescence; obedience; action in accord with prevailing "religious" standards, attitudes, practices, etc.
