Wed, 04 May 2011 18:30:38 -0800WeeblySat, 25 Sep 2010 13:45:58 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/09/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit2.htmlBeing a Woman is hard.  We have crazy amounts of hormones runing through our bodies, causing us to feel the strangest things, at the strangest times.  The stress of holding ourselves together while being a girlfriend, wife, friend, daughter, mom; is enough sometimes to overshadow the greatest acomplishments and dearest of moments.  We have to constantly defend our hearts and minds from the assault of societies unrelenting opinion of who we should be.  To top it off, the way we treat one another a toxic dance of unspoken motives, thought, and actions.  As I look around, it would seem each of us has one experience, at the very least, hurtful enough to burn its way into our permanent view of ourselves. 

I met a owman the other day who introduced herself and then went on to explain to me how her husband had left her and her children several years ago.  What a horribble assault on the soul, a rejection and betrayal like that is bound to leave a scar.  What really impacted me, was the nature in which it defined her.  It broke my heart.  Here was a wonderful mother, who struggled for years to provide for her family, yet this rejection had become the very essence of who she was.  As true as her name, she felt she was defined as being a victim of betrayal and the holder of pain.


When I saw her, I saw a beautiful, vibrant woman.  She was strong and courageous, and her heart as a mother was something I wish I could have.  Being a great mom came naturally and she  adored...I mean ...ADORED her children.  I just wonder, what did the Lord see? 
I know he saw her pain, I know he saw the moments of hurt, desporation and silent tears.  I know he saw the lies and breakdown, he saw the storm approaching and the aftermath.  He was there through the selfless sacrifice and moments of pure sorrow, but he also saw her strengths, the moments where she stepped up through the sorrow to do the right thing.  He created her from scratch, "knitted her together in her mother's womb" in fact.  He handpicked certain traits and infused them into her.  I bet his title for this woman was a title that held strength, honor and valor. 


We each have the propensity to label ourselves.  Whether it is "the unloved child"  "the victim" "the tough kid" "the slacker".  For years I focused on the sexual, physical and emotional abuse I had encountered in my life.  I was so used to being the victim, I walked into every situation in expectance of being hurt.  I embraced these labels and they imboddied who I was, even if that wasn't who I really wanted to be.  At the end of the day, I felt like a used up, worthless, shame filled rag.  We must not allow the pain others have caused us- to define who we are, we must rise above it. 

We must not succumb to the temptaion to focus on our status as a victim, but draw our strength from our true identities.  The person the Lord made us to be.  We must focus on the talents and stregths we naturally have in order to really find our purpose- our true "label" .  The Lord specifically gifted us with these abilites to help and encourage and lift up the lost and hurting world.  In embracing who we are in Christ , we are able to shed the shadow of despair and pain that keeps us from taking that next step into the ife we are meant to live. 

]]>Thu, 29 Apr 2010 09:49:26 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/04/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.html Perfection is binding. Like the chains that keep a slave from freedom, our belief that our beauty is found in our perfection keeps us from the truth. Perfection is a standard that I can’t live up to and one that never fails to leave me frustrated and upset. But, I had a wonderful revelation the other day. My imperfections don’t prevent me from being beautiful. For so long, I’ve thought “How could my inability – my failures, my flaws, the very things that make me feel ashamed and unworthy of love – make me beautiful?” I couldn’t understand that they aren’t the same. See, I hated my imperfections and, expecting others to as well, I was always apologizing in my head to everyone I met because I wasn’t good enough.  My feelings of inadequacy conflicted with my desire to be a part of something amazing, to be someone of worth. But guess what? The more I consider what the true definitions of perfection and beauty, the more I realize that my imperfections make me beautiful.

 

If you were to evaluate an artistic masterpiece with a discerning eye, you would be hard pressed to find perfection. In fact, you could measure every aspect of that piece and you would see imperfection. Sides aren’t parallel. Colors aren’t precise. Composition isn’t exact. But there’s no doubt in your mind that you are standing before something truly beautiful. People are the same. We are, in fact, living, breathing, priceless works of art. To really believe this, I had to encounter a loving God, who spoke the truth to me. And the truth is this: He is the only one who can see me from the inside out. And, seeing the whole me, full of imperfection, He still calls me beautiful.]]>Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:48:55 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/04/i-see-you-in-the-imperfect.html I catch a glimpse of who you must be in the imperfect people around me. At times, the beauty I see is breathtaking.  In the servant heart of my friend’s lover, in the simple faith of the child I teach, in the devoted passion of the pastor I listen to, in the loving compassion of the counselor in whom I seek advice, in the grace I receive in the peers I walk alongside, in the sacrifice of a parent for a child they love, in the tear stained face of a friend. God if that is a taste of who you are, how could I want anything but all of you? Continue to reveal yourself to me. Show me who you are by your creation. Isn’t it just like you to teach me who you are by those around me?

Teach me to be more like you. If I can see you in the imperfection around me, how amazing you must be in all your perfection!  ]]>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:54:46 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/03/built-to-last.htmlDo you ever have those days where you just want to throw your hands up in the air and quit? Maybe you are just fed up of how things have been and you are ready to give up. Ive had those days and they seem to come at me when I least expect it. Sometimes I think if I only had to deal with one problem at a time rather than trying to juggle the plates of my life I would probably fare much better. However Ive come to realize thats not the case. The times when I think I wont make it I remember something that gives me courage, I was built to last. I was built to endure. Before the foundations of the earth were laid God handcrafted me to be a strong, courageous, and virtuous woman as I trust in Him. In the Bible many times it talks about trials and troubles when they come, not if they come. This life provides stress and strife but I know as I trust God he will bring me through. I am encouraged by Romans 12:12 which reads, Take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

In times of trouble remember that God never permits the godly to fall and longs to strengthen and encourage you.

Virtuous woman face the day with strength, for you are an overcomer! ]]>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:53:59 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/03/challenges.htmlWe all have seasons in life when we face challenges and wonder whats the point. You may ask why am I suffering? You may wonder if anyone cares or even takes notice. Sometimes, you may even wish you could just disappear, just get away from it all. But there is a purpose in the struggles. There is a plan. You were not accidently brought into this world. God loves you, friend and he has a purpose for you.

God notices those tears that you cry, every one. (Psalm 56:8). He has also promised never to leave you. (Hebrews 13:5). He didnt promise us a life without sorrow and heartache but he did promise to be there with us and he does have a purpose for our pain. Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you.They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." This is one of my favorite promises. It reminds me that God has plans for me, for everyone of us. And his plan is NOT for disaster but for a future filled with hope and great things! So even though I dont understand why Im struggling, I do know that God has a reason for it and that gives me hope.

So when you face your challenge, remember that your suffering does not go unnoticed. God has a future for you and great things in store for you. ]]>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:52:44 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/03/priceless-princess.html 

The other night I was watching "The Real World- Cancun" (deep, right?), and as I was watching one of the girls on the show, Arianna (think thats her name), talked about her past hurts. She was talking into the camera, crying. Talking about her abortion, and how her boyfriend left her a week before she was about to go in for the procedure, and how because of that, she cant trust people or experience closeness with them.


I felt her pain. Deeply. Not because I have had an abortion, or because my boyfriend left me (in that way), but because I have experienced rejection from people. Because I have experienced this deep hurt of feeling like Im not "enough". In 8th grade not being accepted by the "popular" crowd, and then moving my freshman year to Montana, and experiencing the same rejection all over again. And again, even in attending a Christian college, feeling judged and rejected by certain people who were supposed to be loving.


However, this is not a sob story about me. This is a story of redemption and restoration. Jesus crept into my life through a friend I had finally opened my heart to, and in the midst of that rejection, told me I was precious to Him. He told me I am priceless. He told me that I am His- His daughter, His princess, His love. He told me that I am ALWAYS enough in Him. That no matter how much people have hurt me, that He will never leave me.


I want to encourage you to know your value as His daughter. You are a priceless princess. Dont allow the feelings of rejection or fear of rejection to hold you back from a relationship with Him, or other people. Dont push Him away because youre too afraid to care. The blessing is in knowing Himand knowing He uses other people/friends in our lives to show Himself to us.
]]>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:51:54 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/03/the-dreamer.htmlTo all those with dreams that lie dormant or who seek for the greater things in life remember to never doubt your purpose.
          A womans potential lies not in whom she is but whose she is, not in the seen, but in the deepest back corners of the heart, the place we put our dreams. Only does she release her potential when she believes in her dream and surrounds herself with people who do as well. A time arises in a womans heart when she questions that which she loves or desires. Its at those moments that strength to continue moving toward the dream comes not from within but from those who see you from within; those who hold the mirror to your aching heart and remind you of the purpose for your anguish. Unfulfilled and disregarded dreams will always cry out from the grave we put them in. They never truly die, but only become buried.

      Potential will always be within you. It can be found in the things that you once did or maybe do now. For every woman has a dream. With every dreamer lies the tenacity and potential to do great things. Do not ask what will happen if you uncover your buried dreams, but ask yourself what will happen if you don't?"
]]>Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:50:56 -0800http://www.justcharisma.org/1/post/2010/03/just-listen.htmlIts that time of year when everyone is looking for some kind of holiday pleasure or some pick me up to get them through all the craziness.  But there is something of far greater worth and far greater power to supply a pick me up than these things combined. That pick-me up is found only in helping others. Sounds cheesy right? Thats what I thought until today when I experienced the energy that comes from taking my mind off myself and listening to the needs of others. I guess you could say I didnt really help anyone, but rather I listened to someones heart. It was inspiring how as I continued to listen and attempted to understand where this person was coming from, the more I forgot how tired troubled my life was. I know it sounds silly, but how many people will force themselves to simply listen to people? Usually we only listen to people we like or already know. What if a stranger wanted to pour their heart out to you? Would you listen or walk away? I challenge you to listen. And when you listen, listen as if it were you speaking to someone else. Get to know how they feel. It might just be the pick me up you need. ]]>