Nouvelle Femme

SOAR

2009-02-05T22:26:00.009-05:00

Growing up I had the best childhood home! I’m not just talking about family life but our actually house. It was amazing! Set in the woods with plenty of room for adventures, many fun memories were made there. Thinking back I remember a constant nest of bumblebees that loved to take over a corner of our carport. The kids would freak out and not want to play outside but dad would always reassure us that just as long as we didn’t bother them, they wouldn’t bother us - which thankfully proved true!

Now, I really try to not be in the habit of taking an up close and personal look at bumblebees but this fact grabbed my attention. Did you know that ‘aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn’t know it so it just goes on flying anyway!’ God has called each of us to a unique purpose and plan. Sometimes the task ahead of us can seem so much greater than our own power. We may feel intimidated and daunted by the task God has laid before us. You may not feel capable or even worthy to carry out the purpose God has called you to but, don’t forget ‘God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called!’

Deborah is a prime example of a woman who stepped out of the box to achieve great things through the power of God. Her name literally means, honeybee. She was quite distinctive in her day. Her leadership as a prophetess and judge was known and respected throughout the land of Israel. Because she listened to the voice of God rather than the voice of reason, Israel made a mighty conquest against a formidable enemy.

Remember that kid Joseph, who had a dream that seemed so ridiculous and impossible to all those around him? You may look at the road before and not see how you will accomplish the dream God has placed in you, but don’t give up! You may have to go through a molding process, others may not understand and like the bumblebee, everything around you may scream of impossibility – and while the magnitude of what God has for you may surpass the capabilities you hold on your own if you will surrender what God has already given you, He can then mold and form you to accomplish the plan He has set before you. Keep your chin up girl - soon you will be soaring!

Hope

2009-01-05T16:42:00.001-05:00

Birthed within every woman is a remarkable characteristic —DETERMINATION. Not just any determination but a resolve so fierce it sees something through while facing an adversity that screams of impossibility. It is seen in the mother who lifts the car off her small child through an extraordinary surge of adrenaline or the woman who sees how far her family has strayed from Right and stands determined in the gap. The question is not if we will be faced with impossibility but rather a matter of when. What will our reaction be? Who will we turn to?

It brings to mind the story of Mum Bett. Born in 1748 and raised as a slave, she knew of no other lifestyle but upon hearing political discussions she knew that she had the right to be free. Although all odds seemed against her she made up her mind to sue for her freedom. Without the ability to even read or write she set out to obtain her freedom. Mum did not know that this would be a landmark in American history or that she would even be able to have something that was so seemingly impossible. However, because of her unwavering resolve she was able to obtain her freedom and set a precedence that helped lead to the absolution of slavery in Massachusetts.

Sometimes all may seem hopeless. There may not appear to be any way out or reason for pushing through. And while the world may seem to be crashing around us, if we will allow that determination to grip us—the resolve that says, no matter how dark it may seem I can make it through! Hope may not come surging within us once again like a tidal wave but instead slowly rise like the dawning of a new day. Remember God is not always in the fire, the earth quake or wind but may choose to come in a still small voice.

2009 gives us a fresh start, a revived hope. We have the opportunity to rise from whatever ashes 2008 may have brought and allow beauty and hope to be revived.
This past year may have had its share of good and bad but as you come into 2009 remember that whatever you may face, stand determined because with God at your side, ALL things are possible. Our hope is not based on our own ability but in the strength of an all-powerful God!

STEADFAST

2008-12-04T11:20:00.009-05:00

It’s amazing how much change just a short time period of one year can bring. ‘Change’ has been on everyone’s mind with the recent elections just behind us. However sometimes change can bring about things we never expected or doesn’t come in the way we would have wished.
It’s important to remember that although things around us may be in a constant state of change we can stand Steadfast in God. Isaiah said it like this, “The steadfast of mind in You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You”. While trusting isn’t always easy and our knees can become weak from standing—if we will stay Steadfast, He will keep us and uphold us.
As this year comes to a close stay Steadfast in Him. No matter what has happened or what this next year may bring His right hand will uphold you. He has given us His promise—He will never fail us or forsake us!

Create in me a clean heart, oh God and renew a STEADFAST spirit in me.
Psalm 51:101

LETTING GO

2008-10-03T12:36:00.002-04:00

Have you ever found yourself wondering—God, what is going on in my life?! In life we may have situations that cause us pain and it may seem that God is far and distant from us. We need to realize though that He is so close, ready to take our pain. It can be easy to say ‘I surrender’ but still hold fast to our pain. The complete surrender of the situation and everything involved can be difficult. It brings to mind a parent dedicating their new baby. They want so much for that child - the best of the best, but in giving that child totally into God's hands they are saying - I have no idea what this child may do in life or what you want to do through him, but here he is - No Matter What. How can God move if I am holding to all of my pain so tightly? How could I grow close to God if all I could ever do is complain to Him about what he isn't doing? The calling for a truly intimate relationship with God has never been stronger, the need never greater. It is the heartbeat of God for everyone no matter the situation in their life. We say we surrender and yet we still hold the situation close. We want it so badly that we're afraid to actually Let It Go. What will happen next? Who knows - only God - and that IS enough!

Victory is in the Praise,
Freedom in Letting Go and
Peace in Surrender

Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? HOPE thou in GOD: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalm 42:11