When Life Gives you the 404 Error Message
If there's anything life knows how to do, it's dish out curve balls, 404-error messages and lemons- unexpected events that try to knock us off our feet.
Recently, life sent me a 404-error message. Lol. It definitely wasn't funny when I got it but I'm "lol'ing" about it now because I can and because I know that "weird times don't last, but weird people do". *Grin*
The bothersome thing about lemons is their ambivalent nature and of course, their timing (it's like they have their own little special calendars that highlight the worst days to show up). They come in various forms, at anytime; "Dear John" letters a day before an exam, market crashes after investing everything we own, a relatively unfriendly spouse after years of being together, a bird who decides to poop while flying above you, as you hurry for an interview (Are you kidding, bird! Who poops in motion anyway?! This has happened to me twice and i honestly think it's the same bird)
Those lemons come. Some are more life changing than others, like a death in the family or a sickness. Sometimes, they come one at a time, sometimes in rapid succession!
I recently saw the movie, War Room and buried beneath it's quirkiness and humor is one clear message, a day will come, a lemon will come torpedoing at you. What. in. the. world. are. you. going. to. do?!
During this time, we have to hold on to our optimism, depend on the support from our family and friends, build up our strength and cling to God like an undersized wet-suit. The wet-suit-cling is my favorite because the other three maybe fleeting but God is the rock eternal off of which lemons and curve balls ricochet. And the 404 error messages? Let's just say there isn't any network in the rock-delivery failed.
God has been my sole support for about 10 years now. I recently discovered, by the way, that God wants us hard! Not callous, evil or ruthless, but hard, firm in character and unshaking in our trust in him. How fun, finally I can put my intransigence to good use. Hehe!
“If you fall apart in a crisis, there wasn’t much to you anyway!”
*When the bible steps to you and drops the mic. Lol.*
If you are going through lemons or error messages, this collection of quotes might help! Stay strong! Please remember to share!
Good Things Come to Those who Stalk
“Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who seek the LORD will lack no good thing.”
News flash: Even lions grow weary, give up, take off their running shoes and watch their dinner run circles around them, they go broke, go hungry and lack....but those who seek (chase, delve after, pursue, inquire, quest, search out, stalk) the Lord lack no good thing. Think of all the good things you can imagine, yes, even that random thing you just thought; none will be lacking, if we just choose to chase God ☀️
#stalkGod
SCREAM! Cupcake frostings, Cobwebs and Courage
On my bed, flat on my tummy, typing in the dark; thinking about my fears and masterminding their demise.
About 3 months ago, in my old apartment, I ran into a spider while taking a shower. It was a peeping-Tom spider, who in my opinion was too huge for the habit. Of course, I screamed and ran out of the shower. Then spent the next 30 minutes googling methods to kill a spider who just showed up randomly in your bathroom, and also gathering my ammunition, which included a vacuum cleaner, newspapers, a long, long, long, long, lon-ng broom, my spray deodorant (this I can't explain). I tried practicing my swats at it and I bounced from side to side, looking for the best angle to hit it, but still, after a full 40 minutes, I couldn't do anything. I just stood there terrified out of my wits. Then I started to pray. Lol! Jesus is probably like "Girl, seriously?"
The spider definitely didn't move by any divine power. It just stayed there. Then I realized, there was someone else right there with me.... Fear. This had quickly become a fun, crowded showering experience.
Note: I do not like crowded showering experiences.
I then decided- I would NOT let fear rule my bathroom. This is my bathroom! This, I said to the spider. Lol! If this was recorded, I'd have like 5 million hits right now on YouTube.
After another 15 minutes, I hit it with the famous long broom and that was all. Spider, gone; fear zapped; me again all alone, just the way I like my morning rituals.
Fear; it disappears with one swat, one slap, one flick of the wrist. It's a decision, you just need to decide not to share the shower nozzle with it, just the way you'd choose that chocolate fudge buttercream frosting on your cupcake.
Fear Hack: Post Paris-Mali Attacks
I don't run alone
The plan is to remain active all winter long. God and I are aiming for 20 miles/week. We will be indoors, of course; at the gym, no point testing the elements, when just one of us is immortal.
The other day we were out for a run and imagined that if we, dad and daughter, were out for a run, chances were that we had angels running with us, like a security attaché thing. They probably had on jog pants and trainers and ran in stride, with sunglasses, ear pieces and guns gold swords....I guess.
After the Paris and Mali attacks, I guess it's only natural that we all find ways to deal with the fear that creeps into our minds as we walk briskly past crowded places and avoided sustained glares. For me, I've chosen the Father. I've chosen to believe the fact that he walks (and runs) with me and the unseen fact that he has set his security attaché over us.
Don't be spooked.
We do not walk alone.
xx
Think Thomas
Thomas also known as Didymus or T.diddy or Doubting Thomas was a disciple of Jesus. Everyone knows him for being the guy with the scowl standing with his arms crossed and his brows matted as he stares down the other disciples, in bible stories. Sometimes, he has a speech bubble extending from his mouth saying, "If I can touch his hands and his sides, then guys, you've got you a believer." It's funny how I've never ever wanted to be Thomas. As a kid, I wanted to be......maybe Philip because I imagined he'd have a short, full tufty beard that glistened in the sun( I don't know why), or Thadeus because his name was cool or Barthelomeow because no one would ever send me to do chores with that type of name. "Barthel'-- never mind, John, please get the door." Never ever did I want to be Thomas. He was the faithless one, the doubter, the one who wasn't perfect because he needed proof. We all turned up our noses at him in Sunday school. I have a significantly sized nose, so me, most of all.
Then last week, a thought hit me as I had tea with Jesus. I came to discover two things: 1) Thomas was me 2) Thomas was special
Let me give you a little background: Jesus had died and risen, along with him rose other dead people** causing the creepiest event in history [Other formerly dead people were seen around Jerusalem; mommies in grave clothes appearing at busstops drinking frappacinos, and other formerly dead people hanging out at the local market and in hot tubs. It was Halloween on steroids.] He also had just made one paranormal appearance to the disciples to show them he was now alive, however, Thomas wasn't there. He was probably somewhere, doubting away.
When Thomas returned, they gave him the gist and they showed him all their selfies with the Master. He folds his arms, mats his brows etc. Then Jesus appears. Again.
Again.
He appeared again. This was a Jesus who had just done the most unbelievable, unachievable thing in the history of the seen and the unseen; he had died for man and risen again. I bet he was scheduled for interviews, lunches, world summits, Ophra must have reopened shop to have him on her show. Parties on rooftops in his honor; angels must have been singing and asking for autographs, God the Papa must have been waiting on tiptoes at heaven's gates for his return. But Jesus put all of that on hold and reappeared, to show Thomas he cared about him, not only at times when he had faith but also when he had doubts.
Whenever your faith is creaky, God doesn't kick you in the sheen. He does everything and anything, including walking through walls and letting you poke his scabs, just so you believe. So don't let anyone turn their significantly sized noses at you when you are weak in faith. You will in no time be strong. Don't think he'd rather hang out with the strong people of faith and no doubters. Just remember He came back for one man. So that he could believe. One man named Thomas.
xx
**Matt 27vs52-53
Selfies and Piggy-backs
Isaiah 46:3-4 (MSG)
The more I read this with my name scribbled in, the more I see myself on God's back, completely protected and at rest. Also completely taking a selfie!
If you've ever had a baby on your back before, you'd know that they absolutely love it. They turn their heads from side to side and smile to themselves (for some reason), poke you a bit and pull your hair (if you have any) but eventually, they fall asleep. It's a place of protection and comfort. Studies show that babies carried this way find security in their carrier, forming a bond, listening to the carrier's heartbeat, getting used to his/her voice and moving when he/she moves.
I want to hear God's heart beat, i want to hear his voice. And he promises to carry us till we are old. Like when we are 97, we will still be pampered and doted on by our God, piggyback riding and still hearing his voice, pulling his hair and enjoying the warmth of his love-while taking a selfie.
xx
PS: Scribble in your name in verses that show God's promises to you! What's you favorite promise from the bible? You could take a screen-shot and upload in the comments!
Babywearing: The Benefits and Beauty of This Ancient Tradition by Dr. Maria Blois