Unguarded moment

I caught a glimpse of her in an unguarded moment, sitting alone, a dark heavy cloak draped over her hunched shoulders - dressed like a winter's freeze was upon us, although summer had long since arrived. She was only present in body, her mind somewhere far away trapped in a memory, unable to let go.
Her spirit, wilted like a flower deprived of water, had lost the ability to answer the call to awaken that even draws hibernating bears out of their dead-like slumber.



 (thank you Katie Stanley for photo help) 

There used to be sparkle in her eyes, a smile on her lips, a song in her heart and she moved light and unashamed through life - her spirit like a little butterfly, fluttering from one flower to another, exploring, growing a little with each dance in the air.

...........but they started calling her names, teasing her, leaving her out - and she knew not why.
Her spirit shook its wings, but they had been smashed, compressing the freedom and leaving smudges behind. She sought encouragement, but found it mixed with criticism and mistreatment.

Her eyes now fills with questions, the smile on her lips wavers, the song in her heart becomes faint and halting, she moves with insecurity and shame wraps itself around her like a cloak, heavy on her shoulders......

She was not at fault - but her spirit broke.
It wasn't them that broke her spirit..

She was not at fault, yet she started believing the lies - that she was ugly, unworthy, unwanted, stained, not good enough, unloved.....
                                            the wings of her spirit broke
                  - unable to carry the burden of her belief in the lies - they broke.
Her spirit retreated deep within her, broken and beat, in need of love and restoration........



Will you tell her - if you see her.......
                           will you tell her the truth, that her heavenly Father and Creator says about her?

He saw her before she was yet formed, and then knit her together in her mother's womb - she is his workmanship, fearfully and wonderfully created.

His banner over her is love and she can find shelter and healing under his wings.
While she is unaware, He dances over her with joy. In him she is more than a conqueror.
Nothing can separate her from his love. He will never leave her or forsake her!


                             He has names for her.......

 beloved                                chosen                                            apple of his eye
            child,                                                    redeemed
                       daughter                   blessed                                            longed for
                                                                            friend.............

Will you tell her to lift her eyes to Jesus who speaks truth to her inmost parts who restores broken wings and renews strength.
This is truth that will set her free -  enable her to run and not grow weary - and to soar with wings like eagles.
                   
                        Will you tell her to grab hold of the truth and believe that
                                                                                                             instead of all the lies.

- will you speak truth to her next time you catch a glimpse of her

                                                                 looking back at you in the mirror.......


-b

Misplaced Confidence.......

I had to correct myself this morning!
Reading a very well known scripture in it's context, I found that due to pulling the 'famous' verse out, something else has slipped in and skewed my thoughts when I think and quote this verse.

Heb. 4:16 "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need."

I have heard and thought of this verse by itself so often that somehow the part of confidence has been detached from the verses above and is based on who I am in Christ and that my walk with him is strong!

WRONG!!!!                                     WRONG!!!!!!                                      WRONG!!!!

I know that - I know works don't count any more - but I was caught by the question as to why I at times feel more confident than at other times, approaching the throne of grace........ why is it harder for me to stand before Him when I've just 'fallen'. It's not like he changed is it? It's me and how I see myself that either makes me approach him haltingly, or me to run freely before him.

The writer has just described how Jesus suffered as he was tempted in every way as we are and now has passed through the heavens and is our high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses -
let us then....

This all about receiving grace and mercy in time of need

                                            - when is our time of need ?

Yes, when we have failed, fallen, and are hurt and disappointed in what we said/did or should/should not have  -when confidence in myself shattered.

                                              THAT is what this verse is all about!.

 Because we have a Lord who knows what that is all about he is not holding up a pointy finger or waiting to put shame/blame on us - he is there to extend grace and mercy and there we find healing and renewal.

 Draw near with confidence in Him and who he is.

-b