I don't know what it was that made me pick her up, but something did. Whether I realized it at the time or not, there was an unconscious curiosity going on there, a question that was being asked in my mind...Why is she here? What is it about her that got her put on the clearance table? As you can see from above, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with her...There's no marks or blemishes on her, she has her arms, she's not cracked or broken...So why?? I turned her over to see the price tag be...and sure enough there it was- with this handwritten message on it...
As soon as I read it, I just started cracking up laughing...Why?? Well the thought that immediately raced into my head was, "Wow...I don't think that you could more perfectly describe my life in my mid to late 20's as a single adult in the church better than this. Perfect description, right here." And to find it the day before Valentine's Day?? Well that was just the icing on top of the cake! I figured that this one was just too funny not to share, so I decided to take a couple pictures of the little bride and her sticker to share on FB, something with a cute little funny caption like "Can I get an Amen from all the single ladies out there?" But then as I thought about it some more, the Lord really impressed a few things upon my heart about that dear little bride and her clearance table sticker...and I knew I had my next blog post topic. 😃
Consequently here we are! And those thoughts that the Lord placed on my heart? Well I am so glad that you asked me! I am hoping and praying that they challenge and encourage each one of you in the same way that they did me! The first thought that I had was thankfulness. A soul deep thankfulness that the Lord has actually brought me to a place in my life where I can see something like that, and it makes me laugh. Believe me, that was NOT and has NOT always been the case at all. It is progress for sure! But then, on the heels of that was the more somber thought of the fact that for so many women (especially those in the church today) that this is their reality, our reality. How many of us wrestle with feeling like we are on the clearance table of life? Some days we are great, but then others?? We too feel like we could be carrying around a sticker on us that shouts, "NO GROOM. AS IS. 50% OFF"
And I HATE that!!! For EVERY woman out there who has ever felt that way, I want to let you know that that is a LIE from our enemy the father of lies! That is NOT what your Heavenly Father thinks about you at all!!! God absolutely DELIGHTS in EACH one of us!!! It brings Him such JOY to be able to spend time with us! That is why Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better thing...Not because anything that Martha was doing was wrong, but rather Jesus was saying, "Hey, there's time for that later...but for now, while I am here.. let's hang out. Come, relax and spend time with me...That's all that I really want from you..Just the gift of your presence." So Beloved sisters, the next time that we feel our emotions running away with us, let's make an intentional effort to take those emotions and hormones and bring them before His Throne. Praise Him!! Seek out His Truth! Ask Him to speak to you and and to show you how much He delights in you! I guarantee that He will meet you THERE! I know this not only from experience, but also because He promises it in His word as well! In Jeremiah 29:13-14, He says," You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity." So this is my prayer that I leave with you today. Seek the Lord, allow Him to come and meet with you. Know that your IDENTITY is rooted in the fact that YOU are LOVED by Him and allow THAT TRUTH to tell you who you are!! Believe me, I know that it can be hard to open ourselves up and be vulnerable, but it is more than ok to trust your heart to Him. There is ABSOLUTELY NO ONE who will handle it better or cherish it more. He is truly the Lover of our Soul. Love you ladies and Happy Belated Valentine's Day!! 😃💘💖😍
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