Tuesday, January 22, 2013

... Prince Charming?

I'm here to address something that I see as a big issue in our society.  I know others struggle with it because I definitely do.  I would even dare to say that it's the #1 concern on most girls' hearts.


Waiting on The One

You know, Prince Charming.  He'll come sweeping in on a horse, decked out with muscles and gorgeous hair.  He's kind, caring, sensitive without being too much, handsome, adorable, and of course, a gentleman.

As a girl that completely bought into this, I'm struggling at 18.

With every boy lost, I get more and more exhausted/frustrated/aggravated/bitter/mad with/at God.  My Prince Charming should be here any minute.  He should come waltzing in and swoon me and we'll get married and have kids and things will be perfect.

I'm not sure where the disconnect happened, but somewhere along the lines, our society amped up this boy into something that he isn't.  Supposedly, he'll make our lives complete.  Supposedly, he'll be all we need.  Supposedly, supposedly, supposedly..

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I'm about dang tired of "supposedly".  I'm tired of getting my hopes up only to be let down.  I'm tired of being rejected.  And quite frankly, I'm tired of not feeling good enough.

In the Christian world, it's become assumed that if you haven't met Mr. Right yet, you have to focus on your relationship with Christ first/more.  If Mr. Right isn't in the picture, obviously you're doing something wrong.  I wouldn't say that that is totally wrong, but I can't agree with it either.
This way of thinking is too much for any teenage girl to handle.  You're not doing good enough for God.  Once you fix yourself, He'll give you what you want.

I wouldn't venture to say that every girl feels that way, but I would say some do because I do.  This phenomenon makes it seem like we have to do more to please God to get blessings from Him.  That is so twisted.

Don't you know that it was finished on the cross?
Don't you know that God adores you and wants to bless you, even when you do Him wrong?
Don't you know that you will never be good enough for God, but that He pursues you and loves you anyway?

It's a dangerous place to be when we feel like we're waiting on God.  This leads to this built up anger inside because God isn't giving us what we want and we begin to feel like we'll never get it because we'll never be good enough.

What if God's #1 for me isn't right on paper?  What if he has different wants than I do?  
If you're following me at all, I think you know where I'm going with this.  You see, we've created this jacked up image of what "God's Best" + Prince Charming should be like.  But the two are not at all the same.  Prince Charming is what the world wants for you, while God's Best is THE best.

I say it all the time, but it gets harder and harder everyday to be a Christian.  I think that's all part of the plan, no doubt.  But this is such a dangerous place to be.  Stumbling between Prince Charming and God's Best is no fun.

Ladies, God has a plan for you FAR beyond anything you could ever imagine (HALLELUJAH FOR THAT).  God is working, even in your trials.  In every season, He is weaving.  He never quits, ever.  He is the only Man that will never fail you.

I don't think that you have to be good enough to get blessings from God.  I believe that God works out all things in HIS timing, for HIS purposes, for HIS will to be done, so that HE may be brought the ultimate glory.

So, if you're a Lady in Waiting like I am, keep waiting.  Wait until God interrupts your waiting.  Heaven has a plan (and a man ;) HEY) for you.  


Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Prayer Time: God, I pray that you would give the women of our society strength.  I pray for strength to stand against society and to wait for what is right.  God, I pray that you would encourage us in our faith, so that you may be brought the ultimate glory in all situations.  I pray for a peace in your presence and a hope in your name.  We know that you are working for us and I pray that we would never forget that truth, but rather we would cling to it.  We love you, God, and we give you all the praise.  In Your Son's name, amen.

Friday, January 11, 2013

It Never Runs Out On Me

I HATE that it has been so long since I've been here.  To say things have been crazy is an understatement. But what's new? That's my life.

I'm learning day by day that the farther away from God I get, the harder the devil attacks against me.  One little slip up and Satan comes in the destroy everything.  And he makes it seem as if I can never get back to God.  This is kind of where I am now.  Hopelessly, helplessly, desperately clinging to whatever God-resembling thing I can. 

If you've never heard Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture, I recommend you listen.  It seems to slap me back into reality.  Because as soon as I feel like I've run too far, God calls me Home.  As soon as I feel like I have messed up way too much, God calls me back.  As soon as I get wrapped up in my sin and there is literally no way out on my own, God comes to my rescue.  

When it feels like God's love has run out on me, He speaks the loudest to reassure me that He isn't done with me.

I don't know how God does it.  I couldn't walk even a moment in His shoes, that's for sure.  I guess that's the reason that I keep expecting God to run out on me.  I'm waiting for the day when He looks at me and says "Brenna, it's been enough.  You're helpless.  And I'm done trying."  

Now, while I hope (and know) that day will never come, my human mind (and sinful heart and soul) waits for it.  Even with words like Proverbs 3:5-6 that says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight", I fear that God cannot possibly put up with me forever.

I tell you what.  Thank God for His grace.  Thank God for His love.  Thank God for His compassion.  Thank God for His faithfulness.  Because I am so, so, so undeserving.  

Though I haven't figured it out again, I'm going to fix this.  God is still there, thank Goodness.  And He's waiting, though I've been running.

Prayer Time: Thank you, God, for all that you are.  Thank you for never, ever, ever even considering giving up on me.  Thank you for a love that never fails, never gives up,  and never runs out on me.  Thank you for chasing me when I chase the world.  In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Romans 8:37-39- No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor the present nor the future, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sorry for such a short post.  Thanks for reading and putting up with me.  God is good.