Esteem Your Spouse

Yes, I know. It has been a while. Actually a long while. How have you been? I'm back and I'm sure blessed. Lets have fun once again as I share some of my reflections with you.

The other day, I was out shopping with my husband. We were looking for bedside lamps. Well we, or should I say I, found some really beautiful ornate ones (my husband likes everything I like, ha). Shortly afterwards, a lady came and stood right next to me as she examined some lamps too. As her left hand reached out to touch one of the lamps on display, her beautiful set of rings caught my eye. A beautiful diamond solitaire on some white metal together with an equally shiny wedding band were truly a sight to behold. I looked up to see the face that belonged to those well manicured hands, to see the prized owner of such jewels. "Goodness", I gasped.

The lady had no left eye! I quickly turned away. I refocused my gaze on my husband who I asked if what I had seen had been real or perhaps a mirage caused by the shop lightings. Yes he confirmed with slowly measured words, she has no eye. A 'missing' eye, no apparent socket, just skin behind the lens of the frosty spectacle she wore. There were no obvious scars to suggest that this deformity had been as a result of an accident. I later safely concluded that in all probability she had been born that way.

"Well", I later said to my husband, "in spite of her obvious disability, she had been highly esteemed by someone, who in all probability has two eyes in sockets, and probably thought she was the most beautiful woman in his world enough to marry her and even be mother to his children". And okay even if this deformity had been as a result of an accident after they had been joined as man and wife, it did not seem apparent he had not left her! This man had given her exquisite rings to compliment the beauty he saw in her.

How dare we then criticise our spouse for their minor flaws and imperfections? In Ephesians 6(28-33), Paul commissions husbands to love their wives. Likewise, he instructs the women to respect their husbands. I like the way the Amplified Bible expands verse 33. Read it ladies for yourself.

To all the sisters, does it matter he has on that horrible tie again? Does it matter that he has not shaved in three days? Men, does it matter she has put on weight since she birthed your children? Does it matter that her shiny mane now has highlights of grey?

God considers the heart. That is where true beauty lies. I made up my mind that night as I cuddled up to my husband, that the Holy Spirit being my Helper, I would always esteem my spouse highly. And as we women esteem our husbands likewise in turn they will give us the love we desire. Have you told your spouse how gorgeous they are today? What are you waiting for? And women, who knows you might get a beautiful gem to add to your collection too!

Another Level

Do you ever have days when you feel so stressed? The list of things you need to do, doesn't it just seem to grow faster than the list of things you have actually done? Everything just seems to weigh you down? Time! People! Everything!

Well, I have been going through one of those periods. The last few days have been quite challenging for me in one way or the other. Feelings of high followed by feelings of low. Sometimes I can't even put my finger on it. Up and down. Up and down. That's how my emotions have been, like some erratic thermometer. But hey I am a woman....I can blame it on the hormones....isn't that what the experts tell us?

But seriously, is that how a Christian should live? Is that victorious, joyful living? Should 'stress' be even in my dictionary? Isn't the joy of the Lord my strength? Why should I be anxious for anything? Isn't God the one who directs my steps? Shouldn't I be surrendering it all and laying it at His feet?

A few weeks ago, I started a new habit which I shared with you in an earlier blog entry (See October 12 2006). It was a good habit. I decided to wake up (a mere) fifteen minutes earlier than usual to spend more time with God. It was to be a good foundation for the day. And it has been. As I have embraced this routine in my life, it is like I have gone unto another level. For example, I feel more enpowered at work. God has been giving me new ideas. Certain solutions have been coming easier. Take the other day, I took under 5 minutes to solve an oustanding error that I had been pondering on for months. A problem that I had dismissed to the bottom of my work pile.

But going from one level to another higher one does not necessarily come easy. There are some tests we must go through. And it is only when you pass the tests, you can successfully say you have been promoted. That you have reached a higher level.

And so this has been my story lately. As doors have been opening and the blessings of God has been pouring out, oh the enemy has sharpened his weaponry. He does not seem happy lately. But I know it is all part of the journey. It is all part of the military training as soldiers of Christ.

So what must I do? I will not give in. I will press forward. Like David, I will encourage and strengthen myself in the Lord. I will continue to dwell in His Word in order to pass the tests. So, satan, get behind me!

Time Managing Me

Managing time. How good are you at it? Do you get all the things you set out to do? How do you prioritise your time??

A lot seems to be happening round me at the moment. It's all keeping me busy so I am not complaining. After all I am a focused person. I like setting goals and targets and attaining them. But somehow I am feeling very overwhelmed by this 'busyness'. I have missed a few deadlines. I am not happy about this. I am running behind schedule on a few things. Even less happy! This is all making me feel guilty. It is not as if I have been idling away my time. Save for Jane Eyre on Sunday's tv, I have not even glanced at the box all week. Not that I watch telly all that much anyway! So how can I manage my time?

The greatest investment God has given us is time. He gives us all in equal proportion. How we spend it, determines our destiny to a large extent. What I want to know right now is this - am I managing time or is time managing me?

But why fret anyway? All I need do is ask the Holy Spirit to counsel me and help me in this. God, our Father liberally dispenses wisdom if we ask. I will ask Him for wisdom in managing my time. He does not want me rushed off my little feet. He will show me what to do. Outline a plan even. But I must listen too. With His experience in creating the world in 6 days and resting on the 7th, who is better qualified to manage my diary.

Happy Endings

Last night, I watched the concluding part of a BBC TV production, Jane Eyre. I thoroughly enjoyed the dramatisation of this old time classic by Charlotte Bronte. I watched with interest and absorbed the customes people wore, the houses they lived in, the servants the rich had, and such like. No doubt, customs in the 19th century contrast sharply to our modern way of living.

Mr Rochester in the story, wanted to marry Jane Eyre. However he could not marry her because he had a living wife, a lunatic, tucked away in an attic, hidden from the world. Because of the deep love between Rochester and Jane, he proposed that he and Jane, go away to the Mediteranean and live like brother and sister. He said he would not live in sin with her by pretending to be married. Living in sin? What's that today?

The story twists and turn. There is excitement in some bits and gloom in others. However, the story ends happily nonetheless. The attic lunatic died and Jane and Rochester eventually married and fulfilled their dreams.

Happy endings! If only life was always like that. But as Christians, whatever the case, we can find peace and joy in our Father. He knows the end from the beginning, so in that we can choose to be happy!

How Long Does It Take To Form A Habit?

This week I decided to make a new change to my morning weekday routine. I decided I would wake up just fifteen minutes earlier to spend time with God and God alone. In the past, my morning devotion with Him had been during my hour journey whilst driving to work. This week, it dawned on me that giving God FIRST place, FIRST thing in the morning was an excellent way to start the day. I couldn't think of a better way. Reasoning dictated that if God is never busy for me, why should I be busy for Him? What difference after all would a mere fifteen minutes less sleep make?

So far, it's Thursday and I have been doing splendidly since starting this habit on Monday. I somehow feel more energised. I also believe I have an extra spring in my step. I feel more confident, protected even, before I sit in my car! I still give God my attention whilst driving to work. But it's like these fifteen minutes are adding more value to that time too.

Some say it takes 21 days to form a habit for good. Whether it takes 21, 30 or 100 days, I ask God to give me the strength to carry on. I want to continue this habit, this routine. It is a good one. Let's face it, it would be oh so easy to just turn off the alarm, simply roll over and sleep those 15 minutes. And I would be a hyprocrite to say I haven't thought of doing that every morning that alarm has gone off. But my friend, what would I gain? Do I feel tired for the 'cut' in my sleep? No. So it seems I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

21, 30 or 100 days God is going to take me through this. He is after all my strength.

Man Does Not Live By Bread Alone!

Those chocolates I had my eyes on yesterday....guess what? Yes, they're gone. Finished! Devoured! Eaten! The rate at which they were dwindling down yesterday, comes at no surprise. And yes today, there are no birthdays, so no cakes. I don't have too much of a problem with that really. And yes, my colleague is munching at his crisps right about now, but frankly I don't fancy any. In fact I have not even given those crisps as much as a side glance compared to the longing in my popping eyes yesterday. I know he is eating them cause I can hear the rustle of the packet and the 'munch munch' as he happily eats away.

The enemy can't tempt me with food today. I am not hungry. Besides, I can get anything I desire at any time I wish. Satan has left me for a season as he did with Jesus in the wilderness.

But I had a fantastic time at the evening mid-week service yesterday. I basked in His presence. I did not want it to end. In His presence I had no time to think of food. My spirit and soul were fed. Indeed man cannot live by bread alone.

I'm Hungry

The pastor at my church declared a day's fast for us today. Fast started at midnight and ends after our mid-week service today. It is nearly 15:45 at this time of writing. I have probably another five hours to go before I can safely tuck into the delights and pleasures of food.

The mere mention of food just seems so amplified, meanwhile. I gazed at my colleague not too long ago happily eating his crisps. I looked at those crisps like something I had never seen before. Yet, I go literally months without indulging in them. Today, I could eat several packets given the chance. And guess what? Yes it's another colleague's birthday today. And he has brought in cakes to share. I am just so happy he is in another department. I have avoided that area like the plague. And you wouldn't believe what else! Another colleague got back from his holiday today in LA, laden (in my humble opinion) with Belgian chocolates. Well one box of chocolates looks 'laden' when you are hungry. Now, if there is any chocolates I would happily eat, it would be Belgian. I dared to take a look at the box a minute ago. Not much left. Oh please leave one or two for me to indulge tomorrow dearest colleagues.

Crucifying flesh. Concentrating on spiritual matters and not carnal desires. That's what we do when we fast. And the enemy so loves to tempt us when we do. I will plod on however. I will not be tempted. So get behind me satan.