First, today, I was with my lady friend, and we have her newly adopted [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]zu mix. I played with him and his teddy bear which he snarls-and-swings around, and at times I take it and attack him and can outmaneuver him and move it under his bed. Then he tries to dive directly through the matting to get to it, and I slip it around to attack him. But he gets it after a while.
He sounds like quite the handful. I think small dogs are more spirited than their larger brothers.
And she doesn't have a car; so I biked our laundry to a laundromat and met a guy who is into some sort of studying Jesus. So, I offered him information for our church.
That was kind of you to do so. We've had snow and very low temperatures. I'm happily nesting and enjoying my book
Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. It's a novel of manners with a moral undertone. It is rumored to be the longest or second longest novel behind Marcel Proust's opus. I started Proust last year and intend to finish both in 2019.
But even though there can be difficult subjects here, I enjoy being with the people and writing with hope for us and others
I don't believe it is the Lord's intention for me to do the same. But I'm not suggesting it is incorrect for others. On two occasions members have mentioned my fortune. I never saw it in that guise but today I considered their comments a little more.
Oftentimes we reference an experience as the catalyst for our actions. But its omission can warrant the same for similar reasons. It was the first time I saw my childhood and life experiences in another light. God's grace and favor have been with me throughout that time and it remains. I don't believe it is a coincidence I have been freed from biases that would make it difficult to reach others if they were in place.
My ladyship and femininity are hallmarks of my person. They are also qualities that have fallen out of favor with many. I am encouraged by a return to similar principles in gentlemanly behavior and manliness that some have undertaken. And I feel a growing necessity to do the same. It is not enough to succeed. He has provided the tools for that already. But who I am underneath that success matters a great deal. And it testifies to Him loudly.
Paul reminds us that:
"All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up."
It is my consensus that the things which war with my constitution do so for a reason. The narrow path I'm called to walk won't mirror the other person's. I spent a portion of the morning reviewing my life and how my time is spent. And I reflected on the virtues mentioned in Philippians.
I looked them up although I knew what the words meant. I wanted the definitions before my eyes nonetheless. And the results were these:
- True: Honest
- Honorable: Bringing or deserving honor
- Just: Morally right and fair
- Pure: Free of contamination; wholesome
- Lovely: Very beautiful or attractive
- Commendable: Deserving praise
- Excellent: Extremely good; outstanding
- Praiseworthy: Deserving approval or admiration
I considered my ideal life in light of my calling and reviewed my behavior and activities with respect to the principles named. And I didn't close my eyes to what I saw or the absence of connection to either principle. I took hold of my shears and began to prune instead.
I employed this exercise with my daughter and she had a similar revelation. It is easy to say we wish to do this or that but when we look at our behavior we often find we're not holding firm to our desires. Our time and attention are spent elsewhere.
When I completed the review I found two emails waiting for me. The first referenced Psalm 8:5 and the other spoke of the pathway toward your purpose with a message I'll share.
The possibility of taking on new initiatives and pursuing your God-given purpose this year might sound exciting, but the journey isn't going to be as easy as you think. Before too long, you might find yourself stranded along the way.
The reason many of us get stuck on that road is we want to do our own thing. We need to remember that God is sovereign, which means He is supposed to rule over us. It is only in drawing close to Him that you will be able to navigate the path toward your destiny.
The message concluded with a reference to a sermon series on Esther that I've heard in the past. I've also done a study on the book. At the conclusion of that study I attended a monastic weekend for validation about my vocation. I couldn't find the classical music station on the radio. So I chose the Christian one instead and fell asleep.
I woke to his words from that series quoting Esther 4:14. It's my favorite passage from the book. I went on a sightseeing tour and we stopped in front of a hotel. There was a small street sign in a corner you'd nearly miss. It said Hadassah. That's Esther's Hebrew name. I laughed and thanked the Lord for His guidance.
It is no coincidence that I'm feeling as I do. I needed some nudging and I've received it. I am hoping to find a venue similar to the one I've seen for men. Or create it myself.
