"To whom much is given, much is required."

The Limited

Ok - so The Limited was, I must confess, one of those stores I avoided like the plague. I just thought it was one of those cookie cutter places that sold clothes for people between 60 and 90 lbs!

I went to Dillards the other night out of boredom just to browse. Aside from beautiful Antonio Melanie career clothes, I found nothing. Empty handed, I headed back to my car.

I almost passed the limited when I saw a sign that said "work that skirt" or something similer. I love pencil skirts (I know I'm weird) so I decided; what the heck?

Well I'm HOOKED! I loved it. The girls in the store were oh so nice and made me feel right at home! They were happy to bring me different sizes, give input (always positive) on the things I tried on.

Seriously people, I was impressed! So, now for all my shopping desires I will be headed to The Limited! Thank you for proving me wrong. :)

I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.

Thank you God! Thank you! In May 2009, when I graduated from Law school, I was repeatedly greeted with congratulatory wishes. Each time, I would pause and make sure I conveyed that it wasn't me - it was God. I had never been so sure that it was Him working in my life, steering me where He needed me.
For it's not my will, but His.

So after I took the 3 day Bar Exam at the end of February and embarked on the gruelling 2 month eternity waiting for grades, that became my mantra. Each day I reminded myself that He hadn't brought me this far to leave me and no matter what happened, I was sure it was part of His plan.

As the time approached, the tension mounted. I had to resist the urge to check the website where grades are posted every hour of every day. I went to sleep with a knot in my stomach. But each day I prayed. I was ok with taking the exam again, it was the 8 weeks of intenses studying and mind games that the Bar Exam plays on you that I dreaded. But I made peace with it going either way.

Grades were set to be posted on Wed, May 6 2010. Traditionally, they usually come out a bit earlier than expected. I had checked 3 times before lunch. When I returned to work after my lunch, I got very busy - thankfully busy because that helped the time pass without constantly thinking about results.

Finally, quiet. Nothing. Ok, let's check. As I typed in the web address I said another silent prayer. When the page loaded, I saw two words: PASS LIST. Woa - there it was - there it is......

I clicked the two words and selected my initial (they list us by last names). What? Was that right? Could it be? IT IS!!! THAT's IT! I'M SURE IT IS!!! IT WAS!!!! MY NAME! I PASSED!!!!!!!!! Thank you God!

So now more than ever I am sure of two things: I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me; & whatever comes now I will be doing as a purpose because it is part of a greater plan that I ever imagined.

Jesus told Peter, "Don't be concerned about what I choose to do with someone else - you follow Me!" (John 21:22)

When I hear this verse I think of a parent or teacher. "Don't worry about them, I told YOU to do this...." How many times have we heard those words?

Our world puts so much pressure on careers and money. Our worth is often measured by the car we drive or the clothes we wear or the house we live in. This verse actually takes all that pressure off.

Jesus says not to worry about what others are doing. Only to listen to him and go where he says.

How do we know when he's telling us to go? You know those moments when everything just seems to fall into place and feel right? That's one of those times.

For instance. When we graduated from SAU, we moved to Denton. It just so happened that I was looking for an apartment here. When the manager was taking me on the tour, we were discussing my degree and she just happened to ask if I was looking for a job.

5 years later, she has worked with my schedule through law school until I recently graduated - we have lived here the whole time and now I am fortunate to still have a job in this difficult economic time.

At the time we were searching for apartments, I had no idea what was going on, but God sure did. He was orchestrating the whole thing. I'm trying not to worry about what my classmates are now doing or what others are using their JD for.

Thank goodness that this verse tells me all I need to do. Wait and listen for Jesus. When He speaks, I need only follow Him. And remember that when things are falling into place it's not coincidence, it's not just fate, it's Jesus.

Thank you for such a blessed and guided life!

"Be Aware, Not Afraid."

Max Lucado. Have you gotten to know him? If not, you should. He has written so many wonderful books! I am reading one of my favorites again: When Christ Comes.

In a recent chapter, Max reminds us that the devil is mad. In fact, he is pissed! He has a short window to cause as much destruction as he possibly can. You can bet he is working around the clock.

But the reason he's mad is the awesome thing! He may talk big and tempt hard, but he is hurling everything he's got at us right now....because right now is all he has. The battle has been won and he knows he lost.

Furthermore, Satan does nothing without God's permission. How does that work? The horrible, gut-wrenching effects of Satan's work are constantly transformed into events that further the Kingdom of God. How's that for power?!?

To illustrate this, Max points out a situation where a young girl who endured a terribly traumatic event that inspired her to help others with similar troubles. These are things that Satan begins....but the STILL become the work of God.

I can't remember where I first heard it, but someone once told me that if you feel Satan trying to bring you down, you should take it as a compliment. He will work the hardest on those of us who are striving to be more Christlike.

Since then, I try to stop when I feel chaos around me and think..."ok, this is good. help me God. I want to do this for you. please help me." Instantly I feel relief and it's easier for me to resume whatever journey I may be on.

So the next time we feel tempted, tested, or tried. Let's remember that no matter what Satan may be trying to do in our lives - - - it can also be used to bring Glory to God! "Be aware, not afraid [because the battle has already been won]." (Max Lucado)

Normal

Today was a normal day. And you know what? Normal is wonderful! We all have times we can only wish things were normal. When our whole world seems to be caving in on us we pray for normal. But how often are we truly thankful for a plain jane normal day?

I remember praying for normal. When Mom was told she needed quadruple by-pass. I prayed for normal that day. I got on the road and prayed for normal the 4 1/2 hours home. I remember recently when she had another heart cath. We prayed for normal in the waiting room.


I remember praying for normal. I remember when Dad was stuck in Iran. When we didn't know if he was ok. We didn't know how to get him home. I prayed for normal then. I remember hearing his voice for the first time and wondering if he was really ok or was he just calming us? I prayed for normal then. I remember the plane and the layovers and the struggle to get back with him. Wondering, waiting, overjoyed when I saw Mom and Allan in Germany because they were so happy. I prayed for normal then.

And now both Mom and Dad are ok. Mom and I still talk too loud and too much. She takes care of our whole family. We are blessed that we get to hear Dad's voice every day and he is so happy. God has worked so many miracles in our lives on days we were praying for normal.

So on days like today, when we may feel blah...When nothing in particular stands out, when the world is moving, the time is passing, but its plain jane and vanilla...Do we remember all the times we prayed for this very day? Yes, normal is wonderful. Thank you God for normal!

Are you Wise?

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
- Psalm 90:12

Who doesn't want to gain a heart of wisdom? If you're anything like me, you are drawn to those who are wise. There is something alluring about one who seems to know so much about so many things.

Strangely enough, we don't spend time gaining the wisdom that is readily available to us. The guy who cut us off in traffic distracts us, the hectic work day or day with the kids distracts us, dinner and cleaning distract us....

Yes, our world is filled with distractions. Some necessary, some not so. The question becomes: with all the distractions and demands of our crazy lives, how do we - on top of it all - gain wisdom?

We pray. We use the verse from Psalm 90:12 and pray exactly that. Because there is no wisdom on this Earth that can measure up to that of our Heavenly Father. The knowledge he can impart on us beats anything from any textbook or lecture.

You want true transcendence? Pray to God for Wisdom. Simple as that.