Love Like Water

Marry Poppins, an elegant Disney character whose character is polite, charming, and practically perfect in every way. She’s the epitome of a perfect woman. I guess if you have an endless carpet bag and a magical umbrella you’re entitled to being perfect. Oh, and let’s not forget that magical bottle of medicine, and that catchy song;ever since she sang ”just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down…”, I have imagine my kerosene cough syrup to taste like watermelon bubblegum.

Aside from delicious medicine that could pass as a bedtime desert, I have often wondered what makes this nanny so dang perfect? And what is it that she has (besides the endless carpetbag, scrumptious medicine, and the ability to fly) that I don’t have? I have manners, too! I can be charming if the need arises. Yet, I can’t seem to figure out how to be perfect in every way.

It’s confusing, though; this whole idea of perfection. We’re not perfect. But we’re created by a perfect God. And yet, in Song of Solomon it states:

”I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My lover is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night” (Song of Solomon 5:2).

Is there a difference in the perfection we, as humans, try to attain on our own every waking second of the day, and the “flawless one” that Christ sees in us as feminine beauties? Some food for thought.

We’re not perfect. We cannot amount to anything deserving of the sacrifice God made when He sent His Son to die for us. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Even women are not immune to the fate of this world. But, just like Adam who was created to be the warrior, women were created for a purpose all their own. To be blossoms in a desert land; wallflowers with a flawless beauty that is theirs to discover and to share.

I wonder…did Marry Poppins ever stop to think about what made her so perfect in every way? Was she born with it? Did she come into it be a miraculous revelation? Is this idea that she’s so perfect the key to such confidence? Maybe…just maybe…if we all start believing we’re perfect IN GOD’S EYES, like Marry did in her own (with a smidgen of humility), then we might have her confidence, too. We might be more bold and less wishy-washy. We might be more courageous and less scared to follow our dreams and reach for the moon (the stars are always there to catch you if you don’t make it that far!).

So what’s the big deal with Marry’s perfection? Her captivating confidence, that’s what. I wish I had a bottle so I could capture her motivation, spontaneity, and self-confidence. If I could, I’d drink it as fast as I could so I could live on Cloud 9, too. I guess, since Marry’s confidence cannot be bottled up and recycled, I am going to have to go searching within myself to dig out my own confident woman who is practically perfect in every way. And by perfect, I mean how God sees me.

handle of anxiety

Lately I have been finding myself to be a little more nervous than usual. Ha-ha…that sounded kind of odd. I mean, how much more anxious can one be when they’re dealing with a life threatening addiction? (I refuse to call it an illness or a disease. It’s something that can be overcome completely). Obviously I can come pretty close to trying if I have a mind to do it.

But it’s no good to dwell on the “what-ifs” in life. Especially when they haven’t even happened yet. Being anxious, nervous, or stressed, I tend to turn to the so-called creature comforts that Bulimia provides (these have been getting fewer and fewer as I come to terms with some things).

Certainly not a hostage situation infused with self-mutilation practices. Does it really help me in the long run? No. Short-term? Yes, I guess. It’s a strange question to be asking myself. Either way, it’s harmful, disrespectful, and a violation of the body God created to be His temple.

I don’t know for sure what’s going to take place at Renfrew (a step-down program for girls with ED). That’s what has me all squeamish inside.

What-IF…

what-IF…

(My life is beginning to sound like that Snoopy LIFE commercial on TV!)

Worry. Not a healthy way to deal with the unknown. And purging does not have the power to change the outcome of the future. Or rewrite my past. Or heal my bleeding heart.

Henry Ward Beecher says it best:

Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.

It’s so true, what Beecher has to say. I have to remind myself of that very fact on a day-to-day basis. I can accept anxiety and allow it to consume my entire life. Or I can grasp tightly to the “handle of faith” and let it fill my soul.

Which one sounds better: faith or anxiety? Uh, definitively FAITH!

Thus, I would like to leave you all with a new-found favorite of mine; a verse in Hebrews.While I may not know all that’s going to happen with the Renfrew situation, it’s my job to relax and have faith that God’s hand is in all of this. That “He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” [Philippians 1:6].

I have to trust that God knows best. I have to rest in the fact that because I am still alive when I probably shouldn’t be is a sign that there are greater things in store for me. I have to have FAITH.

Do not now throw aside that former joyful confidence of yours. It carries with it a great reward. It is absolutely necessary that you should remain constant if you are ready to do the will of God and receive the promised blessings. [Hebrews 10:35-36]

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

Jack Layton (via pleasedontgo)

A CHAT WITH JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus: Hello. Did you call me?
Man: Called you? No. Who is this?
Jesus: This is Jesus. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.
Man: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.
Jesus: What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.
Man: Don’t know. But I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic. It’s rush hour all the time.
Jesus: Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.
Man: I understand. But I still can’t figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.
Jesus: Well I wanted to resolve your fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.
Man: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?
Jesus: Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.
Man: why are we then constantly unhappy?
Jesus: Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.
Man: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?
Jesus: Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.
Man: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty.
Jesus: Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Man: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?
Jesus: Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.
Man: You mean to say such experience is useful?
Jesus: Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.
Man: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why can’t we be free from problems?
Jesus: Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.
Man: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading.
Jesus: If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.
Man: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?
Jesus: Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.
Man: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
Jesus: Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.
Man: What surprises you about people?
Jesus: When they suffer they ask, “why me? When they prosper, they never ask “Why me” Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.
Man: Sometimes I ask, who I am, why am I here. I can’t get the answer.
Jesus: Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.
Man: How can I get the best out of life?
Jesus: Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.
Man: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
Jesus: There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.
Man: Thank you for this wonderful chat. I am so happy to start the day with a new sense of inspiration.
Jesus: Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.
Man: Thank you so much.
Jesus: You are always welcome. Have a good day my friend.
" Always remember, God's Word is the Word for YOU ".