I Know What It's Like

When I was a very small child, my parents decided that they were tired of being pew-sitters in church. Moreover, they felt there had to be more to this Christian faith besides going through the motions and being just average church goers. It was then that my mom and dad decided to go to a different church whose beliefs took Christianity to a more proactive level and was truly aiming for something that would benefit their lives and allow growth in their faith. What followed could be described as inconceivable. Grandparents accused my mom and dad of taking me to a cult church. This was and still is a lie. People within the church saw my mom and dad as weird, too picky, and small-minded when they insisted they didn't want worldly content going into my eyes in children's church. People and family who would have thought would become close confidants suddenly became arch-enemies. Why? Because of the desire to seek after God and his righteousness.

When I started homeschooling, another host of accusations ensued especially when my mom chose to invest in my well-being as her daughter and put me first instead of giving in to family members' wants who insisted that she and my dad were brainwashing me and not letting me experience what the real world is like. And mean comments were made that surely edge the territory of slander. You know, it's funny. It seems that they began to be the very kind of person that they falsely accused my parents of becoming. Anyways....

Fast forward a decade as I began to reach an age of deciding for myself in certain areas. Yes, I have a mind and a will. And my parents have always let me have a say while leading me to one and only way through Christ Jesus. That aside, I began to realize the principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). Therefore, although Jesus died and cleansed us from all unrighteousness, we have to do things on our part as Christians to crucify the flesh daily as he leads us by his Spirit day by day. Among these things include taking responsibility for our day to day actions by realizing in what ways we compromise God's ordinances. Perhaps one should choose better entertainment options that are cleaner and more wholesome, raise modesty standards, or commit to purity as single individual. Now, if God's Spirit doesn't dwell on the inside of you, none of this will make any sense whatsoever. All in all, it is about doing your part with God's grace (God-given ability) on the inside of you to see that Jesus' name is glorified by your actions and choices in life and not degraded by your compromise with worldly standards. 

In saying all this...my mom and dad wanted this to be my foundation in life. Yet numerous people from family to friends insisted that they "took that God thing too seriously." Really? Choosing to honor the one who died to give me eternal life by raising my standards in life is taking my Christianity too seriously?? 

This brings me to my main point...I know a little bit about what it feels like to be in the Duggar family's shoes right now. No, I've not met the family yet, and I don't know every little detail about their lives. But I do know what it feels like to make a decision to take your relationship with Christ and your standards seriously only to receive hate in return because you are just trying to do the right thing in accordance with God's precious word. Has anyone stopped to think that the reason the Duggars have such wonderful standards of purity is because after 2002 they realized that we as Christians have to step up to the plate and be proactive in the decisions we make so that mistakes aren't made again? God's grace is abundant and came at a price. And I admire the Duggars for taking that sacrifice seriously and not just with words but with actions.

Think before you speak. Because you have no idea what sort of negative impact your words might make upon the people that hear them. Words can hurt. Don't be the one that initiates that hurt.

Friendship and God's Timetable

If you would have told me two years ago that in 2015 I'd have a friend close to my age who would share most of my ideals and cherish her relationship with God as I do while so deeply being enraptured by the world of my dearest Avonlea, I may have called you nuts. But it happened. And nearly one year later, I am so thankful for Haylee having come into my life. Although we've never met in person, we have a connection. While I can give part of the credit to Avonlea for helping our paths to cross, I must give the full credit to God first and foremost. It is just so amazing to think that God knew about us long before 2014 ever came along and knew we would connect. It is so crazy to think about! I remember a time in my life that I was somewhat lonely. My attitude was quite unwarranted. I am ashamed of it now. But God heard me nonetheless.

Looking back on it, God was right on time. It's funny to think that most of the time we think we know better than God when it comes to timing. (laughs) That is ridiculous. I still struggle in this area. I sometimes have doubts of whether or not God is paying attention to helping me reach my purpose in life. But once I wipe the tears and sit up straight, it dawns on me that trust in God is the only way to reach any place in life. Although your trust may waver sometimes, in your heart you know the answer is to lean on the Lord without one doubt.

I remember a scene in my beloved Road to Avonlea where Olivia is quite downtrodden about not having had a need for baby clothes in a while and brings them to the mission box out of disappointment. In speaking with Janet, she is uplifted by Janet's words which are of the old wives' tale that as soon as you throw something out, you are sure to need it again. This causes Olivia to heroically let go of the baby things. Now, I don't believe this is as much of a wives' tale as it is an action of faith. Letting go of something and moving on with life. There is something about completely letting go that takes away every ounce of fear and concern. Before long, you hardly remember ever worrying about that thing in the first place! Now I know we all will have the tendency to think upon that desired thing every once in awhile. But the nagging concern and anguish we feel seems to lift when you simply shift your focus...first onto God...then onto being faithful in the little things. And before long, God fulfills that desire in your life the way he had always planned to. And his plan is always a perfect one.

I have experienced this many times thus far in my life. And I know there will be many more times I will have to do it. But it is simply a part of walking by faith and not by sight. It helped to lead me to a wonderful friendship that I will cherish always. And it will lead me onward as I discover and step into that grand purpose that God has put upon my life.

A Change of Heart

(an elongated sigh)

Why? Why has this happened to me? The heart and soul is so intricate! My, how quick God can work on the heart when you're not looking!

To explain, if you know anything about me, you know I have up to now been absorbed and totally taken over by historic periods. So much so that perhaps part of me has loathed the idea of modern life and wished I could return to yesteryear and forget 2015 exists. I've had a distinctive change of heart. Not drastic. But distinctive. I'm so glad I live in 2015. It's slightly hard to explain. But in general, I think God's got big things in store for me. And changing my likes and point of view is preparing me to step into his call on my life.

In my writing, I swore a few years ago to only write historically-set stories. Yet my current work-in-progress is modern-set and is on my heart so very strong. I felt like a hypocrite at first. Like I was being someone whom I was not. After all, God has called me in part to preserve history. Why in the heck am I writing a modern day story?!? Then it hit me, "Why wouldn't I?" Perhaps my goal can be accomplished both ways. Perhaps it must be accomplished both ways.

In life in general, I could not be more grateful that I was born in the 20th century. (I know...You are probably thinking, "Duh.") As hard as it is for me to admit this, I must. For it is only when I admit my contentedness and gratefulness that God can launch me into the awesomeness that is his call on my life.

History and time gone by is still important to me. This will never change. But perhaps I must accept modern life to embrace the future ahead. Slowly but surely, I am finding who I am in Christ. It is not average or ordinary. But my life story will be written and set in the 21st century. I should embrace this and not fight it. After all, wouldn't it be a bit weird if a character in a story was constantly acting as if they were in 21st century USA when the story is set in Regency England??

When I was born, figuratively God picked up the pen and set it upon an empty book filled with fresh, blank pages. At the top he wrote my name and date of birth and set forth penning my journey of life. And although the road ahead is yet to be seen, one thing I am certain of....The setting has and will always be in the 21st century. I must submit my ways and embrace the life before me. It is incredible. Why should I ever deny myself the joys that the Lord has set before me? I can't, and I won't. For the future is very bright! I shall hold to the values of the past while embracing the future before me.