Seasonally Undefined
I’m on the road with the man I love… still exercising the freedom to be seasonally undefined. I’m born to be who Christ has chosen to be in me; and being me is the highest form of gratitude I can give to Him. But I’ve had difficulty knowing just who this “me” is. I’ve melded into others like a chameleon. Coming into my own is liberating albeit confusing. I think that’s why He keeps giving me permission to be “no one.” We’re starting with a blank canvas so I can identify my own color palette, and then use it to...
Read MoreRefining Choice
Conflicting forces refine choice. The contrast of bitter makes sweet all the sweeter. The seeming polar opposites of selfishness and selflessness exist to serve one another. Selfishness broadens the gap between the contradictions in life, selflessness will close that gap. Selfishness emphasizes differences, selflessness reveals the common ground. Selfishness magnifies problems, selflessness unveils solutions. Selfishness exposes faults, selflessness covers a multitude of sins. Here’s the paradox though: without selfishness, I will not arrive at selflessness.
Read MoreAn Old Pattern
Have you ever tried to “read people” to find the meaning behind their actions? This is a pattern that could be carried over from childhood. Children try on new friendships like shoes, looking for the ones that fit. We’ve all lost childhood friendships to what seemed like upgrades. Kids (not usually in touch with their motives) don’t often say why they’re “moving on,” they just treat the former friend differently. As this happens, we can feel the shift in their affection and if we misinterpreted the cue to “bug off,” their indifference can...
Read MoreContrast is a Teacher
I’ve questioned the wisdom of allowing tares to grow along side of the wheat. What good is it to live with such internal conflict? I’m beginning to see…the mind of the flesh remains because contrast is a great teacher. The flesh depicts a graphic image of impotence. The contrast between flesh and spirit creates the tension necessary for renewing the mind. The mind is being convinced that she is a servant, not a master. The soul wants what the new heart holds and still argues an ability to produce it independently. Flesh is the instrument used to reprove her fallacy time and again....
Read MoreA Higher Form of Self-surrender
I need to be myself so I can give myself away. I can’t give what I don’t have. To be less than myself is to continue to give with only self interest in view. My ulterior motives remain intact. This disqualifies me from meeting the true needs of others because I’d rather help them according to how I want to help them rather than how they would actually like to be helped. I’ll help in ways that make me feel good about myself.There is a paradox here. I cannot give what I do not have and yet I cannot have what I will not give. It is seemingly contradictory and yet it’s true: to...
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