TO THE AMERICAN GIRL... AND AMERICAN BOY

To the American Girl, (and American Boy)
What you witnessed this week as far as “empowered women”. That is not an example of true “empowered women”. Don’t take your cues from Jennifer Lopez, Shakira or Nancy Pelosi.
That’s not class. That’s not confidence.

Be a step above.

Dress above the rest.
Wear a smile.
Be classy.
Be humble.
Be kind.
Be graceful.
Be gentle.
Be wise.
Be meek.

That’s power under control.
And that’s Empowered.

INSPIRED BY TODAY

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Today I sat at the Stock Show and watched a lot of little boys and girls...
A lot of future ladies and gentlemen.
At least that’s what I pray they will be.

“Boys will be boys.”
So let them be little boys
“Girls will be girls”
Let them be little girls.

It is who they are.
Don’t say “they can choose”
It’s not the way it was designed
And It’s not a who’s who social game.

Let them be called a tomboy and play cowboys and Indians.
Let the boys be gentle with their sister’s doll.

Let them play house.
Let them want to protect
Let them “make stew” in their fort
Let them have a dog.

Let them go hunt with a bow and arrow
made from willows.
Let him braid his little sisters hair if he wants.
Let her bandage his cut with a band aid and send him back to battle.

Let them ask questions.
Teach your boys how to cook and clean along with your girls.
Teach your girls how to change the oil and use a hammer along with your boys.

Let them be different.
Remember that they are.
Teach them their roles
Help them set goals.

Let them jump.
Let them run.
Let them dream.
Let them share.

Teach them respect.
Teach them how to work together.
Teach them hard work
Let them play.

Let them be little boys.
And let them be little girls.
Guide them as they grow.
Give them the best example to follow.

Let boys be boys.
Let girls be girls.

And one day they will be

Ladies and Gentlemen.
And running the world.
Guiding the next generation
Of little boys and girls.

-Inspired by today. And by the life I loved while growing up a little girl

STROLL... NOT JUST SCROLL

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We scroll and we scroll all day long looking for something to make us laugh. Or cry. To make us feel.

It can’t be something that’s too long though. Or we get bored and we scroll some more.

We react. And react and sometimes retract.

We look for something to satisfy.

Until the next scroll and then we start over.

But what if we strolled. Instead of just scroll. What if we looked people in the eye rather than just looked at their eyes.

What if we were the funny. The bright spot in someone’s day.
Or we were there when someone cried.
And we listened... even if no words were said.

What if we helped to satisfy rather than look to be satisfied.

What if we had real conversations rather than comment one more opinion, that in reality we aren’t even brave enough to talk about in real life unless we can say it in a comment.
...Cuz ya know, life is safe from my bedroom scroll...

What if we put words into action? What if we encouraged each other with a hosted dinner? What if we played softball on a summer evening “just for fun”! Or went sledding in the middle of the night in December to make another memory? What if we smiled at the stranger rather than walk by with our eyes glued to the scroll?

What if we strolled more and were the unfiltered picture perfect human that God created us to be rather than scrolled and filtered for effect?

What would we see in the world if...

What if we did a little more...

TOO OFTEN...

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Too often we forget to take Jesus along with us when we go to Zacchaeus’ house.

Sometimes when I’m wondering what to do in certain situations I ask the well known question. “W.W.J.D?” -What would Jesus do? And then I’m reminded as I walk into somewhat challenging situations “Yeah, but Jesus was perfect!”
Sure He was 100% human... but he was without sin! I’m 100% human with a sinful nature! And then the battle of my mind and heart continues... but, Rachel, you have the Holy Spirit living inside you! .....
Ahh... Why do I so easily forget that?

But that doesn’t mean that there is still not a fine line with which we walk when we go to eat with the tax collectors. And I’m not talking about the IRS. I’m talking the world with which we interact everyday.

When we go into the world. When we go to eat with Zacchaeus. We need to be so in tune with Christ, so deep in the Word of God, so much in prayer, so in touch with the Holy Spirit that when we go to win souls we go into battle fully loaded and prepared that there is no chance at leaving as a POW.

The best part about Jesus eating with Zacchaeus was that Zacchaeus was so in awe that he completely gave his life to Jesus. He did a 180!
Jesus sat at his table. Jesus ate with those who criticized Him. Jesus showed them the Love of the Father. Jesus did. Jesus was.

We’re not Jesus. And when going to supper we can not forget that we are vulnerable. And that’s why we take Jesus with us.
Because He is not.

WIN... OR LOSE?

“I want to win so I can give God the glory.”
•••
So give God the glory when you lose.
God doesn’t work only in the winning. God works in us while we’re losing. The world doesn’t need to see us praising just while we’re on the podium. The world needs to see us praising Him while we’re walking out of the game or the arena as a loser. Not as a giddy, ‘everything is fine’ loser. But as a loser who knows there’s more and that God deserves the praise no matter the outcome. He is Lord. And He works when we lose just as He works when we win.