The butterfly and the buffalo

I was given a great illustration on the difference between men and women. I want to share this with you.

Coming from Gary Smalley's book, For Better or for Best.

"The best example I can think of to illustrate these differences is to compare the butterfly to the buffalo. The butterfly has a keen sensitivity. It is sensitive even to the slightest breeze. It flutters above the ground where it can get a panoramic awareness of its surroundings. It notices the beauty of even the tiniest flowers. Because of its sensitivity, it is constantly aware of all the changes going on around it and is able to react to the slightest variation in its environment. Thus, the butterfly reacts with swiftness toward anything that might hurt it. If a tiny pebble were taped to its wing, the butterfly would be severely injured and eventually die.

The buffalo is another story. It is rough and calloused. It doesn't react to a breeze. It's not even affected by a thirty-mile-an-hour wind. It just goes right on doing whatever it was doing. It's not aware of the smallest of flowers, nor does it appear to be sensitive to slight changes in its environment. Tape a pebble to the buffalo's back and he probably won't even feel it.

The buffalo isn't "rotten to the core" just because he goes around stepping on pretty flowers. In fact, the buffalo's toughness is a tremendous asset. His strength, when harnessed, can pull a plow that four grown men can't pull."

What a great picture of men and women. Men may tend to "plow" through circumstances, while women "feel" life and their surroundings with much more sensitivity. That pebble on the butterfly's wing can be a sarcastic comment, a sharp criticism, or even an indifferent attitude. Whatever it may be, it can hurt her deeply or even crush her. While for him, he doesn't even notice what he has done.

I'm not implying that men are just cruel, and hurtful. And woe is women. What I am saying is that we need to understand our differences. That men are strong, and a woman needs that. She can't always come to a situation with logic. And men need the sensitivity of a woman, because without it, they will always "plow" through life.

Ladies, see men for who they are in Christ. They are born to be leaders, warriors, and kings. Learn to strengthen and encourage that part of who God has created them to be. They so desperately need respect from us.

Men, (if you are reading this) don't see the sensitivity of women as a weakness. Because it is not. Learn to open your heart more. Be gentle, and loving toward us women. Be patient and kind. We were created to be a husband's help-meet. To support and to respect. But we also have a longing for love.

Let me close with one final word. Ladies, don't EVER change. You were created to be a butterfly. Don't harden your hearts to the cruelness of this world. You are meant to be sensitive, caring, and loving. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And men, please stay strong. You keep us safe, you protect us. Being a buffalo isn't a bad thing. God created us different, but He loves us all the same.

Do you trust me?

"Do you trust me?"

That 5 letter word hits me every time. Do you sometimes feel like all you can see is only a few miles in front of you? Do you ever feel like you are blind in the desert? When we tell someone that we trust them, I don't think we really understand what we are saying.

The definition of trust is: "Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something."

"Do you trust me?"

I have come across this phrase for many many years. From friends, parents, significant others, and more. But I'm not talking about that. I have come across that 4 word phrase by God more than any other person or thing. It means SO much more when He asks me, "Do you trust me?"

Do I truly trust the Lord? Do I trust that He will never leave me? That He will lead my by still waters? I don't know what the future holds, or why lies ahead. And it is easy to say that we do, but when our actions don't line up, it shows what is in our hearts.

Watch this video, and then ask yourself, "Do I really trust God?"

I'll tell you, I do.

He wants to take you by the hand, He wants you to hold on so tightly. He will never let you go.

A Lily Among the Thorns..

"Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens" Song of Solomon 2:2

As I sit and think of how to start this post, I am bombarded by thoughts of a friend I know who is going through a pretty rough time right now. She isn't the first girl that has questioned why she ever gave her heart away to someone she thought truly would cherish it. Have you ever felt that way? I know I have.

The world has taught us, that in this culture, to find true love, its through the giving of ones heart. To settle for less than God's best and pursue many relationships to find, "The One". We live in a world that has and continues to destroy everything that is princesslike and feminine within our being. Girls are bombarded by movies, music, and magazines that tear our dreams of someone to cherish, love, and admire the princess that we see in ourselves. Girls are realizing that the ones that are easy, laid back, and don't care much about their purity, the ones that put themselves out there for any guy to grab, get the attention that we all long for. So we begin to compromise. And before we know it, we get exactly what those girls get, a hollow, one dimensional life. But is it really worth it?

I have felt that way. I've come to that cross road so many times in my life. Feeling pulled into the direction that the girls in my youth group were going. I saw the results that the girls got. I wanted that. Praise the Lord, I had a discerning spirit, and choose the higher road. It was never, ever an easy thing to do. To choose to be a lily white princess for my King, and my future husband, than to follow the crowd around me.

Where are you at in life? Have you felt as if you have compromised who you are for the shallow, and hollow life of the girls in your life. Throwing your heart to guys who will never appreciate it to begin with? If so, you aren't alone.

Leslie Ludy puts it so well in her book, Authentic Beauty:

"My childhood longing to be loved and cherished by a tender knight that I could follow to the ends of the earth was placed in my heart by Him. Jesus Christ alone can fulfill that desperate longing."

So many of us think we know Christ. I mean, really know Him. We mention Him in conversation, we visit Him in church, we read the bible every once in a while to get to know Him better, and maybe even declare that He is number 1 in our life. But there is a huge difference between saying you know Jesus Christ and actually experiencing Him as YOUR true Prince.

I challenge you to stop looking at the world's version of love, and acceptance. And tune your ears to the sound of your Prince, beckoning you near to Him. Listen to His sweet whisper. Feel His heart beat. And there you will find love, acceptance and everything more and beautiful.

We are all on this set-apart road, running to our Prince. Never give up, and never look back at the past mistakes you have made. Allow the Spirit of the Lord to heal you of past hurt, and disappointment. Look into His loving eyes and let Him be your Prince, your Knight in shining armor. You will NEVER regret it.

I'm praying for you, my friend, my sister.

A Social Network Christmas

The Strong-Willed Woman

The strong-willed woman is a term that has been used for generations to describe a woman who is, in essence, an arrogant, stubborn woman who can't submit to her husband or even to God. If this has been your picture of a strong-willed woman I am going to challenge your thinking a bit as you read further.

I am a strong-willed woman. I have a strong will and firm convictions. I'm not afraid to speak my mind, and when I am committed to accomplishing a goal, I'll move heaven and earth to get the job done. I've gotten in trouble, more then once, for being too bossy and pushy, and I've unintentionally offended others with my actions. I believe that God has given me a strong-will. Although I didn't before. I really saw it as a weakness, something that God couldn't use, but I realized over time that there is a difference between a strong woman and a woman of strength. We can choose to use our God given personalities for His glory or ours. Strong will itself is not a negative trait; it only becomes negative when you use it in ways that do not honor God. God does require that we surrender our strong wills to Him. But what we get back is an amazing spirit of God that actually makes our strengths stronger. And it is only through God's grace can any strong-willed woman avoid the negative aspects of even our best traits.

So what is a Strong-Willed Woman? Lets take a look at a few excerpts from Cynthia Ulrich Tobias's book Redefining the Strong Willed Woman.

I have a deep desire to make a difference
I am not content to coast (I don't like to wait)
I am fiercely loyal
I need to be involved
I will not be ignored
I have no reverse gear
I tend to succeed (I never do something that doesn't promise success)
I am wholehearted in action (whatever I choose to do, I do with my whole heart)
I have diverse intrests
I have a strong desire to do right
I am willing to do what needs to be done

So what do you think? Do you possesses the qualities of a strong-willed woman? I know I have quite of few of these traits myself. It's amazing what God can do with a woman who has a strong will. A will to, get the job done, who wants to do what is right, is loyal, and wants to make a difference. The only thing we need to make sure we are so very careful about is when our strong wills are out of God's submission. This is something that we must die to each and everyday. Sometimes more then once a day.

Let's make a promise to one another right now. I am going to pray this prayer for you, will you pray this prayer for me?

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our strong wills. Thank you for the beautiful strong-willed women that are all around the world, and the ones that read this blog. I pray that you strengthen them with compassion and love, to serve others and bring glory to Your name. I pray that everyday they will die to their plans and agenda's. That you will use them in many ways.
In your precious name, Amen.

What Legacy will I leave behind?

"David's fame spread through all lands, and the Lord made all the nations fear him."

1 Chronicles 14:17

What legacy will you leave behind for your family?

The Bible paints us a beautiful picture of the legacy that was left for us, through people like, David, Esther, Jesus and many more. We look at these people and the differences that they made to not only their families but ultimately the whole world. We get to see where they have been, follow in their examples and then and only then, we know where we are going.

Having the mindset that we can't do much to form the legacy that we leave behind, that we aren't that powerful to influence the people around us is a lie from the enemy. It is a lie that gets us nowhere but down. What an exciting thing to know that WE as christians, and women can help shape our futures to bring on abundance to those after us. Even at a young age we can begin to allow the work of the Lord to shape us, mold us, and form us into His likeness so we can be a light to the world. And it all starts at home.

Just recently I had the opportunity to see the newest movie in theaters: Courageous. All I could come away with was, "Wow" If you have not gotten a chance to see the movie, I highly encourage you to! The men in this movie realized the need to leave a God-breathed legacy for their wives, their children and ultimately the world around them. They took the ownership that the Lord had placed on them, in the family that He gave them, and the resources that He left for them to build up a strong legacy, one that will be passed down from generation to generation.

This message isn't just for the father in the home. It's for anyone who sees the need. It's for mothers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives..etc. As a young woman, you can give your family what they need most, to be a shining light through the darkness, a girl of peace and of hope.

"Change today and everyday to move in the direction of faith. Know what you believe and why you believe it. Learn to live up to the the name, "Follower of Christ", and the world won't soon forget you."

Revenge...is it really sweet?

It's interesting that this would be my devotion today. Not that I am looking for, or struggling with revenge but I think this is a topic that hits home for some girls, and guys. It can be hard to not take revenge when others treat you, well, not so nice. God's word says in Romans 12:17, "Don't repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody." and also verse 19, "Don't take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay." says the Lord. I don't know about you but I am sure, God's wrath is far more effective then mine.

As a christian, I think we sometimes get into the mind set that now that I am a follower of Him, nothing bad will ever happen to me. On the contrary, we face many trails as a believer. The Lord even said that we would, but when we did He also told us how to deal with them.

He says in His word about trails and struggles and how they should be dealt with:

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trail, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer... Romans 12:12

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, know that suffering produces endurance... Roman 5:3

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything be prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made know to God. Philippians 4:6

When trials come, don't take revenge...let go, and let God.