I Am a Warrior...(Princess)!

I've been MIA.

Oh if you only knew what I have been battling the whole month of May. It started right before my birthday at the beginning of the month and continued on through almost the end. Trust me when I tell you I wasn't my normal self. I felt like everything I did was pointless.

So no, I haven't given you the update from when I last left you.  As it turns out, would you believe me when I say the story you've been waiting so patiently for has perfect timing in my life?

Yes? Good.

I promise. It's the very next post.  I just wanted to drop in and let you know that I've finally logged back in and I've missed you. I've missed this. I'm back!

So why the "Warrior...(Princess)" title?  Ready to have a little fun...a teeny, weeny bit of fun?  Ok, good.

After almost a month of asking God to help me out of my slump, I felt Him place a verse on my heart.  All of a sudden, I stood tall in my house and said to myself, "You are like Gideon Lisa! You are a strong and mighty warrior!"  (Judges 6:12)  YES! Yes I am! I believed it and proceeded to get ready for my ESOL class where I volunteer teach.  My spirit began to lift but when I arrived I had no students and instead of feeling down, I grabbed the make-up bag I had thrown in my purse at the last minute and headed to the ladies room.

(For those who don't know me, I generally don't wear make-up.)

The music in that hotel restroom was perfect (go figure).  I began to apply my makeup and continued to repeat to myself -- Truth. Over and over I told myself that I am a "mighty warrior" and the only victory the enemy,  the thief, the destroyer of my joy, could ever have is what I allow him to have.  Once I was done applying my make up, I looked at myself and claimed "MIGHTY WARRIOR!" again.  But this time I couldn't help but to laugh out loud...just like this very moment.

I laughed and I smiled and I kept looking at myself. Oh how I thank God nobody walked in! Seriously, I believe He knew I needed that time to myself and kept those doors shut because not one woman walked in the entire time. Now you know that is a miracle in itself!

So there I was, proclaiming myself a warrior looking fabulous! (No shame here.) That is when I looked at the entire package presented in the mirror.  My hair was just right. The color combination I was wearing was beautiful and I had done a fantastic job with my makeup. I was pretty and I was claiming it!

"I am a WARRIOR...Princess!"

Yes, I am! And so are you my fair ladies. Wear your flip flops and hair in a pony tail. Throw on some sweats and a stained T-shirt. Bake a cake. Embarrass your teen. Burn dinner. Go for a walk. Take pictures. Read to your children. Get dirty in the garden. Turn on your power tools. Nurse your baby. Drive the bus. Knit. Sew. Go to soccer games. Eat the cookie. Love your curves. Empty nester, find a young woman to mentor. Sing out of tune. Take a nap. Volunteer. Respect your man. Smile at everyone. Whatever it is that you do -- Love, laugh, live!

You have permission to put on your makeup and wear pink. Carry the matching bag with your absolutely adorable shoes and claim it! You are a WARRIOR PRINCESS and victory is yours in all you do with our King in mind.

And for the few men who read this blog, I love that you are strong and mighty warriors too.

Remember always, when things look bleak and there couldn't possibly be any life coming from anything you do, the Lord is with you. He can make you victorious.

Just look at this:

How awesome is that!?!!

Blessing for your day,

Dead tree photo taken by Lisa Arnold with Canon Powershot SX110IS 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

Winter's Rest

Winter's embrace - the threat was easily seen out the door and ohhh how I don't like being cold. Cautiously aware of it's lingering stay, as the Creator spoke to His own to store away, I too neatly put away His beautiful words into places I would see them and remember His provision...feel His never ending protective presence.

Little did I know the impact of such an investment into listening to God.

 ²¹ She does not worry about her family when it snows,
       because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm. (Proverbs 31:21, New Century Version)

I sit, solemn glance out window bare, remembering gift given, cold night, quiet stillness everywhere. Sun hidden behind cloudy and gray stare. Body’s breath is vapor, carried off whispers of desire. Sycamore, Willow, and Oak all bear witness to same. Trees stripped of summer’s majesty in naked vulnerable sleep.

Night’s shadow fell quickly. Winter’s icy fingers – the miser giving no warmth. Numbness felt as heart protects, pressing to seek refuge at hearth’s fiery glow.

Providence stepped in, laid the covering, wool white, a hush, slowing down hectic rush. The dust of His diamonds, the snow flakes I see infuse my equal momentary existence.

He speaks, “Earth rest! Sleep. Labor and toil, none.”

I stand in awe, watch gift freely given. Winter’s grasp is His own, desiring will be done. Must I always be on the go? Is growth so much my measure, I forget to rest? As He beds Sycamore, Willow and Oak by gently brushing off their splendor, then why not me?

Tears flow at thought, almost missed blessing. Beauty rushes in cleared vision. Grace poured out, warm drink. Changes and melts the core. A time to sit still with the King, nothing seen from out but alive within.

He does not forget what is planted, hidden in rest under blessed soil. Divine King will draw out and bring forth what is ready…when is ready. As the vessels of tulips and buds wait on His call and tender touch, so I wait for mine.

¹⁰ “ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
      And do not return there,
      But water the earth,
      And make it bring forth and bud,
      That it may give seed to the sower
      And bread to the eater,
       (Isaiah 55:10, New King James Version)

Sitting. Resting. Breathing. Loving and alive, in the company of Royal Majesty.

Photography by Lisa Arnold

Fall Down. Get Back Up.

"A Christian is not a man who never goes wrong, but a man who is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin over again after each stumble - because the Christ-life is inside him, repairing him all the time enabling him to repeat (in some degree) the kind of voluntary death which Christ Himself carried out." - C.S. Lewis

Yes, when we fall down it can look awkward. Sometimes when left bare in that moment of vulnerability, it can even seem gloomy and depressing. However, we were not meant to crawl but stand upright and bask in His light for many to be awed by the splendor and beauty of perfect Grace...to draw all to Him.

Even the leaves of majestic oaks and maples fall to the ground, yet return during a period of growth. Then as God again cools the earth to bring restful sleep, He paints those same mighty trees with colors unmatched on any painter's pallet...reminding us that beauty can be fleeting but He is always ready to restore.

And to think He loves me more than those mighty oaks. Here's to getting up and being restored!

Fall Maple Tree photo by Lisa Arnold