Dude, I Shop Like a Dude!

Clothes. Shoes. Jewelry. Make-up. 

     Women can never have enough of these things. They cannot wait until they have a moment to shop the latest styles from their favorite department store. Pawing through racks at Goodwill is exhilarating. Oh, and let’s not forget the euphoria that falls around them when they find those wonderful, impractical, painful shoes that they will never wear more than once a year, but simply must have.

Into the Valley and Back

     Two weeks ago, I shared a story of God's love and faithfulness overcoming my depression and turmoil. The response I received was overwhelming. In just a few days, I had over 300 views from ten different countries.

To put it in perspective, I only had 148 Facebook friends from three or four countries.

     I have received messages from several people telling me that they have similar stories. Some are people I've just met, others people I've known for years. My point here would be, if you are going through something similar, don't suffer in silence. It's hard to be honest about what you are going through, but you aren't the only one.

   

My Silent Pain

     If you have known me for long at all, than you know that I'm a pretty private person. Sure, I'll hang out, make jokes, laugh, and occasionally, have something serious to say. But I don't often let people know the real me--the emotions and feelings that are going through my head. It's hard for me to be transparent with people, but, in light of recent events, I feel the need to share a very personal story.
     Some details will be vague, but please understand that this is hard. In spite of that, I hope that my story will either help someone who reads it, or enable you to help someone else.

Will the Real Me Please Stand?

"I need to take some time to find myself."

"I don't know who I am."

"I need to find out who I am, myself, before thinking about involving myself in anything."

"Who is anyone, really?"

"What's really important is who I am on the inside."

"I just need to follow my heart."

     Sound familiar? I'm sure we've all heard some version of the above at one time or another. Thinking about it, I wonder, who is the real me? Upon reflection, I don't think that is the right question. A question like that would do nothing but confuse.

 

Synopsis of Out of Darkness

~ Please excuse the weak ending, I know it needs work. After all, I can only do so much in one day!~

            In Alaria, a person’s name defines who they are. Parents wait to name their children until they are at least a day old, thus ensuring that the proper name is given. When David and Kathleen Camari give birth to twin girls, they name the oldest Camelia. The youngest, they name Millennia. They see something special in this child. Some unknown but important destiny awaits her.

            The twins grow up in the company of the their older brother Jolyon and their younger brother Terrance. Millennia is bold, brilliant, and outgoing while Camelia is shy, quiet, and timid. Although children often found Camelia an easy target for their teasing, any child who dared would have to face the wrath of her twin. Millennia was very protective of her, often finding herself in fights in defense of her sister.

  

Hope

  Years ago, girls were expected to spend their growing up years preparing for the day when they would marry and run their own home. They collected linens, dishes, silver, and china. Heirlooms, such as wedding and christening gowns, jewelry, and knick-knacks, were placed carefully inside. As a girl packed her chest, she was packaging her hopes and dreams.

     Although this tradition is rarely in style today, I had a hope "chest." (Quotation marks because the actual chest that my parents gave me when I was 16 never came out of the box. I stored my things in a Rubbermaid tub. Oh well.) I didn't have much in it, mostly a few kitchen things, a few house things, oh yeah, and a punch bowl that I really don't know the location of right now. (I probably left it at home...) Antiquated idea or not, in-style or faux pas, it was a great idea. That collection saved me a lot of worry when I moved. I strongly recommend it. Proving the value of a hope chest, however, is not my purpose today.

 

A Time to Die

Hebrews 9:27 "...it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement:"

   So often, when I hear this verse being quoted, it is being used to show the importance of making a decision about salvation. I used to look at it strictly in that sense as well. It was a sobering, often frightening verse. But I don't see it that way anymore. Now, when I hear or read that verse, it brings comfort and peace. "It is appointed unto man ONCE to die." I can only die one time, and God knows exactly when that moment is. To a person such as myself who finds it very easy to fear, this is a comforting thought.

  It's a wet, rainy evening tonight. I was listening to sirens going by after I got home. The sound made me think about how often God has protected me on the road. Of course, from there I thought about other times He has protected me from different things. I have absolutely no doubt that He he has a job for me to do here...if I didn't have a purpose, I probably would have been killed in a car wreck years ago! Why else did my car somehow miss wrapping itself around that street light last year?