Elise is a humanitarian living in Atlanta, GA. Kindled by her faith, this blog reflects the “unlearning” she is experiencing in order to live as a Daughter of God, branded by Love.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Crickets and Puppies
I was out at a local recreation facility and a little girl approached me. She was about 8 or 9. She needed helped opening her soda. Of all the adults in the lobby, she gently approached me and happily skipped away once I obliged.
I thought to myself, "Awwww I miss when my sisters were that little."
That one encounter brought me back to my big sister days, and I suddenly remembered how much I like nurturing.
A few days later, my mother asked me if I wanted a dog her coworker was trying to find a home for.
Ten days after that I became the adoptive mom to an energetic, playful, and oh so snuggly 8-week old Dachshund named Pepper. (I'll share pics in a future post!)
Pepper and I are adjusting to life together, which explains the hiatus from writing. But no worries, the Boyd Sisters asked me to prepare a little something for Inspirational Mondays. Check out a part of my story on their site!
And stay tuned for an "Encounter" series. I have asked my sisters in Christ to prepare something to fill the dead air time. The Boyd Sisters will share their Encounter real soon!
I thought to myself, "Awwww I miss when my sisters were that little."
That one encounter brought me back to my big sister days, and I suddenly remembered how much I like nurturing.
A few days later, my mother asked me if I wanted a dog her coworker was trying to find a home for.
Ten days after that I became the adoptive mom to an energetic, playful, and oh so snuggly 8-week old Dachshund named Pepper. (I'll share pics in a future post!)
Pepper and I are adjusting to life together, which explains the hiatus from writing. But no worries, the Boyd Sisters asked me to prepare a little something for Inspirational Mondays. Check out a part of my story on their site!
And stay tuned for an "Encounter" series. I have asked my sisters in Christ to prepare something to fill the dead air time. The Boyd Sisters will share their Encounter real soon!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
On Delighting in the Lord
Psalm 37:4 (Amplified)
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
At first read, Psalm 37:4 tells me that if I delight myself in the Lord, the things I want will be given to me.
On a second read I learn that if I delight myself in the Lord, he will fill me with desires that align with his will because they come straight from him. And because of the alignment, he will respond with a "yes".
It's interesting that the verse does not begin with a conditional "if". The directive is a command. Delight, beloved, delight yourself in the Lord.
I have spent the past several months delighting in Him.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means expecting little surprises throughout your week - like a monetary gift from grandma, a store discount, a free meal, a gas tank that takes a little longer to get to E, a heartfelt letter from a friend, replays of your favorite songs on the radio, or a scripture that just hits your spirit in the right place.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means trusting him when Sallie Mae keeps calling, and your check engine light comes on, and your mother and sister are fighting, and your boss is inconsiderate, and you've lost your car keys.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means telling him you're afraid of disappointing others, and that you're worried about falling back into that old pattern of sin, and that you're nervous about hanging out with a new group of friends.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means taking a Sabbath, complete with a bubble bath and smooth jazz, and reading scripture, and writing, and singing, and crying, and praying, and RESTING.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means being okay with Him not telling you every detail of his plan for your life.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means watching your family members, who don't speak to one another, manage a car ride and a shopping excursion with no problems.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means watching your siblings transform into God-fearing warriors.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means rejoicing with friends who receive promotions and new homes and new cars and new puppies, and not worrying about exactly when God is going to bless you.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means allowing him to bring healing to the bitter places; you let him shine light on the dark spots and you don't complain! You ask for more... and more.
I can sum up delight as moments of surrender, transparency, trust, and pure joy.
One day I heard the Spirit say that God would make the pain beautiful. Some days it feels like he is taking quite a long time. But in the process I learn more about his character, his supreme motivation - love -, and I abide.
I am not dressed for the occasion. I do not have the right dress on, or the right shoes, and my hair isn't done. The prince enters the ballroom and for some odd reason he chooses me. Even though I feel like I'm not worthy, he asks me for my hand. As I place my hand in his, the spectators begin to whisper. "Who is she? How could she?," they say. And he, in all his glory and majesty, silences them and announces me as his daughter, his lover, his sister, and his friend. As I weep, he stares. He cannot take his eyes off me. I return the gaze and I plan to make the moment last forever.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
At first read, Psalm 37:4 tells me that if I delight myself in the Lord, the things I want will be given to me.
On a second read I learn that if I delight myself in the Lord, he will fill me with desires that align with his will because they come straight from him. And because of the alignment, he will respond with a "yes".
It's interesting that the verse does not begin with a conditional "if". The directive is a command. Delight, beloved, delight yourself in the Lord.
I have spent the past several months delighting in Him.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means expecting little surprises throughout your week - like a monetary gift from grandma, a store discount, a free meal, a gas tank that takes a little longer to get to E, a heartfelt letter from a friend, replays of your favorite songs on the radio, or a scripture that just hits your spirit in the right place.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means trusting him when Sallie Mae keeps calling, and your check engine light comes on, and your mother and sister are fighting, and your boss is inconsiderate, and you've lost your car keys.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means telling him you're afraid of disappointing others, and that you're worried about falling back into that old pattern of sin, and that you're nervous about hanging out with a new group of friends.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means taking a Sabbath, complete with a bubble bath and smooth jazz, and reading scripture, and writing, and singing, and crying, and praying, and RESTING.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means being okay with Him not telling you every detail of his plan for your life.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means watching your family members, who don't speak to one another, manage a car ride and a shopping excursion with no problems.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means watching your siblings transform into God-fearing warriors.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means rejoicing with friends who receive promotions and new homes and new cars and new puppies, and not worrying about exactly when God is going to bless you.
Sometimes delighting in the Lord means allowing him to bring healing to the bitter places; you let him shine light on the dark spots and you don't complain! You ask for more... and more.
I can sum up delight as moments of surrender, transparency, trust, and pure joy.
One day I heard the Spirit say that God would make the pain beautiful. Some days it feels like he is taking quite a long time. But in the process I learn more about his character, his supreme motivation - love -, and I abide.
I am not dressed for the occasion. I do not have the right dress on, or the right shoes, and my hair isn't done. The prince enters the ballroom and for some odd reason he chooses me. Even though I feel like I'm not worthy, he asks me for my hand. As I place my hand in his, the spectators begin to whisper. "Who is she? How could she?," they say. And he, in all his glory and majesty, silences them and announces me as his daughter, his lover, his sister, and his friend. As I weep, he stares. He cannot take his eyes off me. I return the gaze and I plan to make the moment last forever.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
I Can't Call Another Woman a...
Contains language that some may consider explicit or offensive. Reader discretion is advised.
I can't call another woman a whore, ho, ho-bag, slut, trick, or [insert any other offensive term for a seemingly promiscuous woman here].
You see, women are designed to receive. (Somebody's mind just jumped right into the gutter. Keep it together. Stay with me.)
By the design of our bodies, including our sex organs, we are made to encompass others into our being.
We are nurturers!
When someone is hurting, we want them well.
When someone is disappointed, we deliver words of encouragement.
When an injustice has occurred, we attack the root in the hopes that no one else will have to suffer the same.
And in return, we desire fulfillment. We want to know that we are needed. We want to know that we are appreciated. We want to know that we are beautiful. We want to know that we are desired.
(I maintain that this is not the whole picture of femininity. There is more to women - a whole lot more - but I am using these words to make a point.)
So, when Reggie Bush approaches, and he's saddened because he's lost a game, we want to make him feel better. (Well I know I would want to LOL!) And somewhere down the line, we've learned that sharing our bodies with him will make him really happy.
So we share. But Reggie may be looking for someone else as a match and he moves on. But we're still there wondering if we are needed, if we are appreciated, if we are wanted. So we move on to ask another man, and another, and another.
In our brokenness, we keep searching.
When I see a "loose" woman, I see her pain, her rejection, her brokenness.
But hey, wouldn't you know it, as we're searching, HE is looking for us. Christ is searching for us, knowing that He is sufficient to fill us to the point of searching no more.
To my sisters: I recently attended a beautiful wedding ceremony. I met the groom, Randy, during the holiday season of 2009; I rang in the new year with him and his girlfriend at the time, Julie my beloved friend. From the moment I met Randy, I could see his kind nature. His actions were sincere. His laugh was both light and hearty, kind of like a giddy kid on Christmas and the way we would imagine Santa to laugh, at the same time. His love for Julie was so strong and sincere that it overflowed. As Randy expressed kindness as an act of love toward Julie, I felt as if he was doting on me! On their wedding day, I watched as Randy wrung his hands in nervous-excitement. When the church doors opened on Julie in all her beauty in wedding white, Randy could hardly hold back the tears. He was about to call his beloved his and he intended to lavish love on her for the rest of their days together.
Thinking back on their special day, I am reminded of the lavish love the Father bestows on us, his daughters. Journey with me into my imagination. I see Christ standing at the alter as each one us, his daughters, his brides, makes her way down the aisle. He lets the tears come. When he lifts the veil, our handsome groom washes away the shame from sexual sin, lies, idolatry, and every other thing that has kept us from him. He presents us to the Big Man, God, and our white robes are stunning.
So, if Jesus is the groom, God the priest, and the Holy Spirit a witness to the account, who is walking us down the aisle? Well ladies, it looks like it's our husbands! Single ladies, if the man you like is unable to walk you down the aisle into the Father's presence, then I would caution your devotion to him. He should be able to help usher you into deeper intimacy with your Lord. If he is taking you in another direction, break loose, and run the other way! Why? The only one who can fill those deep longings for love and acceptance is Christ.
I know the waiting is hard. You want to share yourself, your beauty, with your brothers. I know it's hard to hold back. But the companionship we crave comes with the bride-groom. Beloved, wait. Please.
(Writer's Note: Content from the book "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge inspired me to write this post. Check it out! The companion book for males is called "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. I welcome comments, so tell me your thoughts!)
I can't call another woman a whore, ho, ho-bag, slut, trick, or [insert any other offensive term for a seemingly promiscuous woman here].
You see, women are designed to receive. (Somebody's mind just jumped right into the gutter. Keep it together. Stay with me.)
By the design of our bodies, including our sex organs, we are made to encompass others into our being.
We are nurturers!
When someone is hurting, we want them well.
When someone is disappointed, we deliver words of encouragement.
When an injustice has occurred, we attack the root in the hopes that no one else will have to suffer the same.
And in return, we desire fulfillment. We want to know that we are needed. We want to know that we are appreciated. We want to know that we are beautiful. We want to know that we are desired.
(I maintain that this is not the whole picture of femininity. There is more to women - a whole lot more - but I am using these words to make a point.)
So, when Reggie Bush approaches, and he's saddened because he's lost a game, we want to make him feel better. (Well I know I would want to LOL!) And somewhere down the line, we've learned that sharing our bodies with him will make him really happy.
So we share. But Reggie may be looking for someone else as a match and he moves on. But we're still there wondering if we are needed, if we are appreciated, if we are wanted. So we move on to ask another man, and another, and another.
In our brokenness, we keep searching.
When I see a "loose" woman, I see her pain, her rejection, her brokenness.
But hey, wouldn't you know it, as we're searching, HE is looking for us. Christ is searching for us, knowing that He is sufficient to fill us to the point of searching no more.
To my sisters: I recently attended a beautiful wedding ceremony. I met the groom, Randy, during the holiday season of 2009; I rang in the new year with him and his girlfriend at the time, Julie my beloved friend. From the moment I met Randy, I could see his kind nature. His actions were sincere. His laugh was both light and hearty, kind of like a giddy kid on Christmas and the way we would imagine Santa to laugh, at the same time. His love for Julie was so strong and sincere that it overflowed. As Randy expressed kindness as an act of love toward Julie, I felt as if he was doting on me! On their wedding day, I watched as Randy wrung his hands in nervous-excitement. When the church doors opened on Julie in all her beauty in wedding white, Randy could hardly hold back the tears. He was about to call his beloved his and he intended to lavish love on her for the rest of their days together.
Thinking back on their special day, I am reminded of the lavish love the Father bestows on us, his daughters. Journey with me into my imagination. I see Christ standing at the alter as each one us, his daughters, his brides, makes her way down the aisle. He lets the tears come. When he lifts the veil, our handsome groom washes away the shame from sexual sin, lies, idolatry, and every other thing that has kept us from him. He presents us to the Big Man, God, and our white robes are stunning.
So, if Jesus is the groom, God the priest, and the Holy Spirit a witness to the account, who is walking us down the aisle? Well ladies, it looks like it's our husbands! Single ladies, if the man you like is unable to walk you down the aisle into the Father's presence, then I would caution your devotion to him. He should be able to help usher you into deeper intimacy with your Lord. If he is taking you in another direction, break loose, and run the other way! Why? The only one who can fill those deep longings for love and acceptance is Christ.
I know the waiting is hard. You want to share yourself, your beauty, with your brothers. I know it's hard to hold back. But the companionship we crave comes with the bride-groom. Beloved, wait. Please.
(Writer's Note: Content from the book "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge inspired me to write this post. Check it out! The companion book for males is called "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. I welcome comments, so tell me your thoughts!)
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