Category Archives: Contemplation, Devotional, Inspirational, Meditation, Prayer, Spirituality

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What is a Woman? Reflections on the late Monarch

We as women can be both strong and sweet, both tough and tender. Our femininity (gasp) depends on a confluence of these two attributes. The strong but gracious woman is stunning. She is a force to reckon with when her ire is up, smooth and strong like steel, she modulates her delivery so it won’t get her in trouble.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philppians 4:12-13

That woman is beautiful for she knows the true nature of beauty.

She is noticed and appreciated. Her words are calculated, giving strength to the listener. She minds the way of cause and effect. She knows for every cause there will be an effect. She is like a hand opening up and out rather than closing in and shutting tight. She gives in the same manner that she receives. Her spirit soars; it knows no limits.

This woman blesses but doesn’t curse; affirms but doesn’t speak ill of others. A true well-adjusted woman, she understands herself and her purpose. She accomplishes much. Her ways are honorable. Her beauty and good works are unsurpassed in the marketplace.

She is industrious and soft.

This is my take on what a woman aka a lady is and always will be. Does she sound like the Proverbs 31 woman? This how I see it and how I try to be. I have noticed a commonality amongst women who are whole on the inside and out. A woman doesn’t have to possess natural beauty to be beautiful, but she must have genuine ‘gentle’ qualities to be genteel, rich qualities that spring from the heart.

Her conduct is above reproach.

You can’t fake it till you make it. These qualities come through being nurtured, cultured, developed, and embraced until they become as natural as the day is long. They present themselves with a self-effacing modesty factor that is her crowning feature as in a rare jewel, a brilliant diamond. In this way, humility has become her strength.

The first thing you notice about her is her strength, wit, and good humor. Her grace is notable.

I have found it interesting on the passing of the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II at age 96, that many of these same qualities were in her. As I listened to the tributes flow in on YouTube, it was obvious that she was universally regarded with respect, admiration, and appreciation. I think that is why her long reign was gracious, successful, and enduring. She had the weight of England and the British Commonwealth on her shoulders. Yet, she didn’t falter. Her missteps were few.

The quality that guided her was a sense of duty, mixed with personal integrity. She was influenced by Christian principles, which were a foundation guiding her throughout her 70 year reign. Her faith stood out. Many have remarked about it on her passing. I didn’t know this about her. I was truly touched by Britain’s former prime minister Boris Johnson’s tribute to Her Majesty, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II. I saw the queen’s remarkableness through his eyes. He said it well.

Video 1 – Boris Johnson gives Inspiring Tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II

I encourage you to watch this video clear to the end. His words reflect his admiration for the queen.

Video 2 – The Queen Encourages her country’s citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021

She speaks with dignity and caring, the qualities of which I speak were there, evident in this speech.

Video 3 – On her 21st birthday, while still a princess, her legacy begins with these remarkable words and concludes with a promise she kept and fulfilled throughout her life.

As I was writing about a strong ‘woman,’ it was then that I saw in Queen Elizabeth II the type of woman I was referencing. Beyond her British reserve was a quality that touched people. World-over, the general populace was sad at her passing. I was also sad. The queen made the world a better place and served her people with the strength of her bearing, composure, and being. Every day of her reign, she was given a red box, similar to a briefcase, filled with news, communications, and tasks for her to process, which she faithfully executed.

Such a woman smiles at life.

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Practices that Help Us: #1 – “Soaking”

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Joshua 1:8

Soaking in the Word of God

I had a pot warming on the stove with the last of the turkey gravy from Thanksgiving. No one else was here and I got distracted doing other things. You know what’s coming. . . I smelt the burnt gravy before I realized what I’d done. The gravy was now black and bubbly. It was stuck fast to the saucepan. I knew what I would have to do. Nope, I didn’t throw the pot away, though it was tempting. I put hot sudsy water in it and left it to soak overnight. In the morning I tackled the chore. Shore ’nuff, I got it clean. Most of the black gooey gravy came off with a spatula. I used a SOS pad to finish up. It would have been triple hard without a good soaking first.

God knows what is good for us. He also knows our weaknesses. God instructs us to meditate on His Word day and night, soaking it in, with good reason. We are stronger when His words are inside us, -in our thoughts and slowly becoming part of us, outworking within us, -like a covering that keeps us warm, -like a map for directions that keeps us on track and focused, -like a mental exercise that keeps us from going astray or following what’s not good for us.

Keep At It

It may take days, weeks, or months of soaking, but we eventually start taking the concept in. In this instance, it’s okay to perseverate! We should keep returning to fixate on the verses we’re reading (and memorizing). It takes some intentionality. We have to purpose to do this. Yet, the passage we choose is feeding our soul and is making us more robust in our faith. And we may need its life-giving strength and encouragement to meet the challenges we are facing.

Although not original with me, the term ‘soaking’ is apt. It describes what happens when we apprehend knowledge while in-taking scripture. Soaking in a verse or two, a whole chapter, or a book helps us in diverse ways. We allow ourselves to absorb the Word. As we ponder the text, we are applying it to situations. The Word illumines our path. It impacts us in greater dimensions when we ‘soak’ it up. Sometimes this surprises us. We continue to soak, and soak, and soak, and to apply text to life as we learn the substance of its consistent reality.

The scripture’s essence impacts us in subtle and purposeful ways.

As we soften our attitudes and forgive those who have offended us, we are thinking differently about others, and our, or their, situations. The Word is changing us almost without us striving to be changed. It impresses us. Being open to God during this time of soaking is the core essential. Openness is critical to the outcome and to this practice becoming living truth in us.

Christ fulfills His divine destiny as the Living Word. He is Life to our soul. The longer we soak in God’s Word and Being, the more we will absorb. Our rough edges peal off. Others take notice. They wonder why we are different, what is making such a radical difference in us. We are being cleansed by God’s Word at work in our lives. We’re more tolerant of others who tend to annoy. Our anger has lessened. We’re less to control. We are handling life without letting its frustrations overwhelm us or annoyances getting the better of us.

Seemingly, with minimal effort, our attitude is positively affected when we soak in the Word.

How to Soak

It works this way, a verse comes alive and grips us. We pause and meditate on it. We think about it. Like a cow as it ruminates, we are slowly and systemically absorbing God’s truth. Its truth is touching our ‘touchy’ areas and making us kinder, softer. Our resolve is similarly affected. We are growing stronger. Soaking in God’s truth is producing godliness in us. The longer we soak, the cleaner we get. God is completing a work in us through His Word. We embrace what God shows us. A spiritual hunger is awakening. Some days, we can’t get enough of God’s Word. We read a chapter and then some. Soon, we’ve read the whole book.

Personal Example

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart“.

Psalm 91:4

There was a time when this verse spoke volumes to me. It reminded me of God’s protection. This verse ministered to me as I soaked in its meaning. “He will cover you with his feathers.” It’s symbolism became precious to me. I pictured Father God shielding me from the hard stuff, always knowing what is best for me. It’s words implied that God is my strong shield as my protector but He also is as gentle as a mother hen with chicks under her wings.

It’s like blue denim and lace, the contrast of strong with soft. Soak in that kind of substance and your world takes on newer, grander significance because it’s not about you, it’s about Him.

God is putting into us as we become more like Him and His dear Son.

. . .

A Positive Heartwarming Story

12/21/2020 Sy Garte

“I had my first Christmas tree, 25 years ago, in a foreign country, with a pregnant wife, almost no money, and not yet a believer. The “tree” was a small plastic ornament, with a red bow. I didn’t know why, but it filled me with joy. Now I know.”

Tweet seen on Twitter: by Sy Garte, an atheist turned believer. I shared his book here about his journey to faith.

. . .

God bless you on your spiritual journey.