Tuesday, May 31, 2011

On the Same Page

I'm currently working my way through a book called "Lady in Waiting" with my high school girls, and it has been quite an rewarding experience to hang out with them and just listen to the things they are gaining from the study.
I'm looking into another book called "A Man Worth Waiting For" by the same author of "Lady in Waiting" and I am taking in a lot from that book as well. I feel like I'm at that point of life where any decent guy that walks into my life I would fall for, when in reality, I should wait for one that actually is designed for me and will help me in my faith walk rather than bring me down.
In Jackie Kendall's book, she lists things to look for in a decent dude and one reality that hit me was the following:
"If someone is her (right guy), she will not have to stop running (the race), she will not have to change her pace, and she won't have to look behind her, because before she knows it, he will be running beside her. He will keep up with her, and they will continue the race at a complementary pace. This will be her running partner for the journey ahead. They will encourage each other and not trip each other... (God will tell her) 'Ashley, you will only get married to a man who will enhance your devotion to Me. He will not compete with it." (pg 25-26)
Ladies need to ask themselves "Is he looking in the same direction as I am?" And for Christians, we know that direction is Who we run toward. We need to be careful not to let something or someone hinder our progress in the race of faith. In fact, it tells us in Hebrews to "throw off everything that hinders us."
 Ladies, don't settle for just anyone. Make sure he will challenge you in your faith and run beside you in the race! You shouldn't need to slow down for him or stop. Missionary dating is NOT the answer. You can't change him, only God can. There's no reason to date and save when you can be friends and teach him. You'll be the one pulled down before you pull him up. Pin It

Sunday, May 8, 2011

A Prayer

God,
I pray to You tonight for help, praise, thanks-giving and confession.
Help me to be an example for You. Help me to not be ashamed of who I am in You and in what I believe in. Help me to say "no" when I should, to reach out when I need to, and to say what You intend for others to hear.
I pray for Your path in my life - whether that means a life of singleness surrounded by friends and loved ones, or a life with a significant other and a family of my own. If that be the case, Lord, please grant me a strong husband who can stand firm in You, show me it's ok to stand up for myself, and who will have a greater love for You than for me. Help him to base his life around Your Word and guidelines for our lives and the lives of any children who could come into the picture.
Lord, if I remain single for life, please help me to accept it, and embrace the family I have in You. You have blessed me with nothing but the best. You have given me mothers to hug and talk to, fathers to feel loved, adored, and protected by, and siblings to cry and laugh with. I thank You more than ever for those people in my life. I would be so lost without the guidance I've had through them. Thank You for showing me that I can make a difference too - for showing me that I am indeed significant to the lives of people.
I praise You for the inspirations You have portrayed to me. The sunrises behind the Caribbean palm trees, the sunsets imprisoned within the trees to the west of our apartment window, and the stars that reveal the mystery of You each night. Your creation is amazing, and Your workings are intricate. I can't even comprehend how You piece it all together day to day.
I ask for forgiveness in my slip-ups. I pray You help me to be better, because I am truly nothing without You. Help me to stay firm in You, and to hold strong in my convictions. Help me to be a wonderful example of You. Please keep me from falling into the crowds of worldly motives and materials.
Lord, I thank you again for bringing me to where I am with the people I have. Only You could have worked out my life in such an amazing way, and I know You will never leave  or fail me. I'm comforted in the knowledge that You have knowledge of my future and my decisions. Help me to make my decisions Yours, and my steps to be in Your path. Bring the right people into my life, help me to cast off the things that will tear me down, and to stand up for You when it gets rough.
I love You, my Father,
Amen Pin It