The Man Behind the Woman

I always love to affirm how  God is so brilliant in designing relationships – I’d love to make “kilig” as well to other couple’s own sweet story.  And now I am talking about my own unique love story. I’ve elaborated on my recent posts that God’s women are princesses, daughters of a Heavenly King who were pursued and fashioned with love. Hence, a pursued woman deserves a pursued prince. 

God doesn’t want her daughters to settle for less. He wants the best for us, a man He also pursued - bounded with love and significance. I will not try to do a “story telling” thing to tell everyone when, where  and how I met him. What I am focused and grateful for is about the testimony that he is an answered prayer, molded and progressed by God.

Without further ado, I would love to describe him in 3 qualities that influenced me.

1.) A servant leader – I can proudly say that He is an example of a servant leader who leads according to what God has impressed him. I like to see in him the perfect example that Jesus did while he was with his followers. He was ready to do the service and became the foot washer instead of being served as the son of God.  I am praying that he will be continuously guided to a higher purpose – committed and courageous to lead. I can see a picture of Godly-led head of the family in the near future.

2.) Encourager – Over the past 6 years, I’ve been encouraged entirely by this brave man. Career, personal issues, emotional and spiritual instability – name it! As if I got a guidance counselor instantly. LOL! What amazed me most were the times that God made him strong while I’m weak. Apart from the companion I got from my Heavenly King,  his untiring and passionate encouragement made me a woman with a firm and a clear outlook in life.

3.) A man of action – Yes, he is a man who can accomplish things quickly and efficiently. A man of initiative and optimism. The Lord bless him with godly wisdom as he takes the step toward his life’s purpose.

Without so much sugarcoated words, I just want to appreciate him for walking behind and beside of me. As the saying goes, “Behind every successful man, there stands a strong woman” I can switch it like this – “Behind every blessed woman, there stands a godly and pursued man”.

Philippians 1:3  Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

The Longing of her heart!

I would like to create circles through Hannah’s life – my favorite woman character in the Bible who is well known as the “The Mother who prayed”. Hannah’s sorrow, longing, desperation and faith placed a mark in my soul.

Getting familiar with Hannah, here’s the anecdote…

Hannah, a beautiful name that means “grace”, was a very ordinary woman who lived in an extraordinary time – a wife, mother and homemaker. She was married to a man named Elkanah who dearly loved her but he also had another wife. The other wife, Peninnah, had children but  not Hannah – “the Lord had closed her womb” a barren woman. The story begins in 1 Samuel 1:1.

Heart’s desire – Grace – Desperation – Purpose

Amplifying the circles with these points I learned from her journey as a woman – Hannah, a woman of prayer.

Heart’s Desire

What was her heart’s desire?

Since she was a barren woman, she begged and wept bitterly and prayed for a son.

1 Samuel 1:10 “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.”

She was driven to prayer by the lack of a child – it was a great sorrow to her. She entered into the Lord's tabernacle to pray  for her deepest need. She even made a vow before God, a promise to God that if she bore a son, she would give him back for God's service. Hannah followed through on that promise and God was honored.

Like Hannah, we have our own unique desires. We strongly wish for something. Are you aware that God knows our deepest desires? He’s just waiting for a drive to pray – an approach before His throne.

Psalms 37:4 says.. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Hannah delighted herself in the Lord and God has blessed her with a son named Samuel – her deepest longing.

Are we getting what we want through our own strength and out of God’s will? Let’s examine our hearts.

Grace

Hannah’s life is a living example of grace and how we receive it.

Grace means to find favor even though it hasn’t been or deserved. Hannah didn’t do anything to receive God’s blessings. She simply cried out to Him to help her and had faith that He would – the grace of God did the rest.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

God’s grace is enough! His love is free of conditions – we just need to rely solely upon His grace!

Desperation

Hannah’s prayer was true pleading to the Lord, with many tears – out of a desperate heart.

1 Samuel 1:5-16 “Not so, my Lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

Hannah poured out her heart to God and asked with great desperation. God found her heart – God was pleased in her desperation which was surrendered in prayer.

Hannah’s perseverance is astounding! She never stopped praying and never doubted God’s abilities. She kept praying through her pain.

"Desperation meets Faith"

When desperation meets faith

The curse is broken

A closed mind is open

Words of healing are spoken

When desperation meets faith

Jesus moves with compassion

Something good starts to happen

When desperation meets faith

Purpose

For many such “barren women”, life could have no purpose for them. God will use us and our lives for His greater purposes. God used Hannah’s barrenness to meet her in the midst of her trouble.

As I have discussed in my previous post, we are closer to God when we are brokenhearted. Hannah grabbed this opportunity to become closer to God and experience His unfailing love. God closed her womb to see what would produce – it was indeed God’s power! We can stand up like Hannah - just seek, surrender to God and allow desperation to show.

God delights in our prayers when they are spoken from the heart.

God can find such a heart!

PRINCESS - Daughter of a Heavenly King

During my naive years I have loved watching Princess Sarah, Snow White and Cinderella.. I'm amazed on how a princess can be.. Oh, I'm still hooked on Tangled as well. All were just a fancy and a vision.

Recently, while I was browsing some spiritual books for women, God allowed me to discover a book entitled "His Princess.. Love Letters from your King". This is a compilation of letters from our Heavenly King. I am looking forward to having a hard copy of this very heart-whelming material by Sheri Rose. You can get a daily letter online here Today's Love Letter. Let me share the particular letter which initially helped me identify my royalty ;)
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My Princess... my chosen one,

I chose you before the foundation of the earth to be My princess. You are royalty even when you don't feel like a princess. I will wait for you until you are ready to start living the amazing plans I have for you. I know you don't know where to begin or how to become what I've called you to be, so let Me teach you day by day. Start by recognizing who I am: King of kings and Lord of lord. The Lover of your soul. When the two of us meet alone together, everyday I will show you how to let go of the things in your life that are holding back from the blessing I want to give you. Remember, My child, just as I have chosen you, I have given you a choice to represent Me to the world. If you are willing, I am here to give you all you need to complete your calling.

 

Love,
Your King and Lord who chose you

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

As I reflect and seek my worth as a woman and a daughter, God impressed me that He has chosen me - His precious princess who fashioned me with love. The discovery that I am a royalty is a "wow!" Who can profess that an ordinary woman can be a princess? I thought everything would just be an imagination. I thought this is just a fantasy - present in my dreams.

It's impressive how my Heavenly King sees my needs and desires, how he pursues and satisfies my heart. What a great joy when you discover and accept that you are a unique princess - daughter of a Heavenly King - God's chosen and special possession...

1 Peter 2:9

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the
praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light".

Every day is a new opportunity...

Do you believe that God is a god of first, second, third, fourth and fifth chances?
We all stumble and fall. If we will let failures and hurts be our drive to long for a new upshot then we can consider every morning a new opportunity to stand, dream, plan and act to reach the star!

These chances will give us a lifetime opportunities.
God teaches me lately on how to live my life to the fullest, know my life's purpose and pursue it! I would love to share with you the wondrous opportunities that we can experience every day.

An opportunity to bless others...

There are many simple ways on how to bless others. A single and easy effort can change the mood or even change the life of people that you will encounter in a very simple new day.

Here are some of the simple ways:
- Give them your warm smile
- Send a doze of inspiration through an SMS
- Say, how are you today?
- Lead pep talks
- Say "thank you"
- Be generous in giving affirmations
- Be an encourager
- Be appreciative

An opportunity to improve and learn more...

By God's leading, we can appoint what went wrong with our previous decisions and actions. Life's failures can be considered as our best teacher. Being teachable and open minded can be an opportunity to live the good life God has planned for us. Remember that the door of the room for improvement will never be locked.

An opportunity to meet to new people...

Our Life Group

I met these girls a couple of months ago but it seems that I've known them for a long time. We jive because we have one heart - a heart that desires to love and experience God in our lives. They've been my encourager, friends and laugh-mates!

Go out! Find new friends who can be your companions. It feels so good to be circled by people of God!

An opportunity to make a new happy ending...

I love how God made His promise stated in Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

God did not design a complicated life for us. All he wanted is a happy ending in every scene in our lives. As might be expected, having happy endings surely depend on how we work and respond to life. Listening to God's voice is the main secret - an opportunity to listen to God's leading and opportunity to act according His will. 

Without doubt we can hear these words from our Creator's mouth,

Well done, my good and faithful servant! I will let you enjoy a new happy ending!
Let's celebrate together!" :)

It’s not who she is but who she can be…

December 2011 - Christmas Party

I am not a teacher by profession but I have experienced 4 happy and momentous years of being with children, parents and Co teachers  – that was a very rare opportunity, all by God’s grace.

I started teaching at the age of 19, nervous at first but I know I was really excited.
I know it was indeed God’s plan – I had a word from Him and was guided from the very beginning. But that was not an easy decision, I kept on resisting.


Is this really your will Lord? Yes or No? I’ve battled with that thought.

These are the things I’ve pondered:
• Teaching is a noble profession, teachers’ skills are exceptional!
• No one touches the future like teachers routinely do – this will be a great fulfillment.
• Try! It’s God’s way to mold and teach me to love people even more.
• By God’s grace, it will be enjoyable!

Another reminder was the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30
To sum it up: Three men were given talents by their master. The first two received five and two talents of money which they are put to good use and doubled their money. The third man chose to bury his because he was afraid to lose it. The master called his stewards to account on his return. He applauded the first two but upbraided the third.

So, I realized - this is my starting position and I said YES to God and to the calling! At the back of my mind, I’m afraid to be scolded by God if I will not maximize and explore the skills that He has entrusted me. In the long run, it was all for God’s glory!

My journey through teaching has thought me numerous lessons and experiences that justify saying YES to God was of great purpose. I enjoyed being with young minds: talked and thought like a kid – had long discussions with their parents and most of all loving these kids like mine.

Yes, not a teacher by profession but I became a mother (young mom), companion and supporter of many mankind.

Left teaching with fulfillment in me, I know I left something.. Not a perfect one but did things with great love. The good thing is, I still communicate with my bebes. They are indeed a manifestation of God’s generosity in giving wonderful opportunities -  ie. to love and be loved!

This is the challenge...
Are you willing to stretch yourself to seek, obey, learn, experience variety of things and  do more than what you know and are already capable of doing now? Do you believe that God has a wonderful plan for your life?

Let's learn to listen to His instructions and act according to His perfect will. Pray fervently to recognize His purpose. The more we seek the more we find.
All of our days are held in God's hands - crafted into His perfect plans.
We can be a clay that is surrendered to the Potter's hand!

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8