War Paint

It sure is nice to get hugs out of the mailbox. I love fun mail, which is everything but bills. I've been lousy at getting cards out this year but it's high on 2010's resolution list. I got a package in the mail from my pal Keri at Forever Folding Laundry yesterday; I won her giveaway, check out the adorable beauties in her Etsy store! I also got the sweetest card from my Mom this week, thanks.

My friends at Three Bay B Chicks sent me fun mail last Christmas that I still use and treasure. Sparingly, but I'll have you know, Este Lauder is my war paint. Some days being a single mom of 3 means don't waste your make-up. You're gonna run too hard, move too fast, put out too many fires and barely keep your head above water; the last thing on your mind is an eyelash curler. Really.

But there are days that I pull out my gifted fancy bag of make-up and I remember why they sent it. Because they believe in me, and want me to see what they see. Every morning I stand in front of the mirror and tell my reflection, "you are a good, capable, woman. You will make it through this day, even if by the skin of your teeth, but by God, you will make it, head held high." And at night when I'm facing myself again, I think of something to be grateful for and say it out loud. Honestly at the beginning I was just grateful for teeth to brush. But now I like who I see.

Sure that woman needs to lose some weight and do something about the bags under her eyes. But her shoulders are pulled back, there's light in her eyes and I trust her.

Does it seem funny that something so small can make such a big difference? Not to me. Some people say don't sweat the small stuff, but life is in the details. A friend once told me, "the amount of spiritual warfare you'll encounter is in direct correlation to the impact you're having on the Kingdom." When my feet hit the floor in the morning I want the enemy to say, uh-oh she's up again.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17)

Every gal knows the finishing touch on any outfit is the accessories Mine just happens to be war paint ...made by Este Lauder.

*wink*,
Carolynn

Kyrie Eleison

A week from today, life will change again when my sons start school and I start a new job. It's been one "new normal" after another since last November. Sometimes I wish it would just be... but we're not there yet, we're not where God is taking us to.

Often in the last eight months I have prayed for the destination. But God is about the journey. Beth Moore says, "... God will forever be more interested in you knowing your Healer than experiencing His healing, and knowing your Deliverer than knowing your deliverance."

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5)

Do you know what Kyrie Eleison means? In Greek, "Lord Have Mercy." ...down the road that I must travel, through the darkness of the night, where I'm going will you follow... Lord have mercy.

In moments of patience, I know had He taken me straight to the destination, I would have missed so much. Remember when I put my license plates on by myself for the first time and it felt like reaching the summit? What if I had missed even that one small victory? How could I have built another on the back of it, until my shoulders straightened out, until my eyes finally met yours?

I'm not afraid anymore. That alone, is worth the journey, no matter how high the climb.

Carolynn