A Pumpkin In Progress

Phase Into Fall – October 17, 2017

 

Last week it became glaringly obvious that I have a ways to go in controlling my stronger emotions. I am a pumpkin in progress. (Stick with me; this will make sense, I promise!)

My manager made an email suggestion in response to an inquiry from another office. I didn’t think it was a good idea, and decided to speak directly to him about the matter. While I was quite animated and mostly in control, still my voice was elevated and I could sense that my face was flushed with raw frustration. After some debate, I finally retreated to my desk, and, wouldn’t you know it, staff in the other office replied with concerns mirroring my own. In a matter of moments, it became a non-issue. If I just would have waited, or thought outside myself to realize that others might feel the same way and dismiss the idea, my minor outburst could have been avoided. Looking back, I should have been much slower to speak and much slower to get upset (James 1:19-21). It was definitely a “stop and pray” situation, of which I did not take full advantage.

Growing up, I actually wasn’t allowed to question authority or assert my own opinions around my father. Everything was “backtalk” to him. Therefore, normally I’ve not been known to get all up in arms about things, as I’ve found myself doing over the past few months. The quiet, easygoing soul that the Lord saved nearly 30 years ago still yearns for peace, but lately my powerful inner reactions catch me off guard at times. In short, I often drive myself crazy, caring so much and over-thinking things!

I thank God that He isn’t finished with me yet.

As our church prepares for Trunk ‘n’ Treat again this year, and I get ready for Halloween, I’m reminded again of the little evangelistic fliers that ask, “Are You God’s Pumpkin?”. Perhaps you’ve seen them. In part, they speak of God scooping out the yucky stuff inside and placing His light in us so that all may see. Living as God’s pumpkin isn’t easy, but in every struggle I also rejoice, because I am a work in progress. He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). Yes, Jesus saved me from death, and scooped out my less desirable traits, but as my heart remains surrendered to Him, the Lord keeps working in me so that the light He’s placed inside is more and more visible, and glowing ever brighter.

Here’s a new poem I wrote today, with that in mind:

“God’s Pumpkin”

I’m so glad to be God’s pumpkin,
for He pulled me from the field;
The dirt of my sin was wiped away,
and He works on me as I yield.
The Spirit gives easy access –
God gently reaches in to clean:
Removing the seeds of doubt,
the stringy mess of fears unseen.
He carved out a goofy smile,
and placed His light inside of me,
to not only shine on Halloween
but all year, so the world can see.
Yes, I’m thankful to be God’s pumpkin.
No trick! His treats are the best!
Some may say I’m out of my gourd,
I say I’m monstrously blessed!

10-29-17
©Ladeena Ashley

Are you God’s pumpkin? Has God plucked you out of the pumpkin patch, cleaned off the sinful dirt, works daily in your life to scoop out the yucky stuff, “carved” a smile on your face and put His light in your soul? If so, rejoice and tell others how they can become God’s pumpkin, too!

Just remember, we’re all works in progress, with our own struggles, so lead with love!

Don’t be afraid to shine His light, especially into the conspicuous darkness of this holiday. No matter the current trends or the origins of Halloween, what the enemy intends for evil, God will use for good as you make yourself available!

Blessings to you, this day and always!

©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photos)

Bring Your A Game!

English Daisy – April 18, 2017

It’s easy to be thankful when things are going well, but a thankful change of attitude is even more necessary in the midst of frustration and struggles. I call it bringing my A game (Always be thankful). Here’s one of my older poems that addresses this need:

“Perfect Praise”

Trusting God is wonderful,
and supplies one with much peace,
for when we look up and praise Him
our inner fears and turmoils cease.
In praise, God has created
the quickest way to liberation:
Humbly trusting, filled with hope,
giving God all our adoration.
Thanking Him comes more easily
through the happiest of our days;
But true communion and joy is found
when we fill every moment with praise.
Though things aren’t always easy,
it will get better along the way,
As we thank God for what He’s done,
resting in His mercies when we pray.
Faith is seeing things unseen,
trusting through all situations.
Praise God in advance for what He will do,
and He’ll surpass all expectations!

11-20-97
©Ladeena Ashley

Work Stress
Recently I was given a special project at work. I had been expecting it, but what I didn’t see coming was the flood of applications that had preceded the project, swiftly overtaking my inbox. Okay, no big deal. After successfully thinning out my regular work a bit, after lunch I turned my attention fully onto the project. That’s when things became super hectic: Cue the phone calls, an important email, and several frustrating design issues. With each interruption my irritation grew; soon I was completely tense and uncharacteristically cranky.

Off My A Game
Even after my workday was done, the tension lingered. During the ten minute walk to my car, the Lord gently whispered to me as I noted the warm afternoon sun and abundant blooms. Yup, the enemy had gotten me off my A game. The Lord pulled me out of my peevish rut as I prayed, asking forgiveness for my unchecked attitude, thanking Him that I have work that keeps me busy, even of it stresses me out at times. Later I sat quietly in the car to decompress for a few minutes before finally driving home.

Pain To Praise
Just like God can turn good from bad situations (Romans 8:28), we always have to be on guard against the enemy of our souls, who delights in using everything, good or bad, to pull us away from God’s grace any way he can (1 Peter 5:8). When life is a pain in the neck, that discomfort should send us running straight to the Lord, because although not everything in life is a joy, there is strength, comfort and contentment when we trust in and look to Him instead of focusing on our struggles.

Praising God for His goodness, His providence, and of course all the blessings I enjoy lifts me out of any doldrums, worry, and, yes, the occasional frustration. It resets my mind, calms my spirit and keeps me moving!

Whatever may be a source of frustration for you today, if you’re struggling with or stressed out about something in your life, stop and pray. God will renew your mind with His peace as soon as you surrender it to Him. Trust Him with it, thank Him for what He’s already done and for what He will do. Better times are just around the corner, but we must be in the right frame of mind, ready to receive it! So bring your A game!

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
(That’s right! It’s a command! God knows it’s what’s best for us!)

Blessings to you, this day and always!
©Ladeena Ashley
2017 All Rights Reserved (blog content and photo)

Transformed Through Prayer

A few more thoughts about the first “R” in my TRANSFORMED acronym: Repent & Pray…

What Is Prayer?

Put simply, prayer is talking with God. A link with the origin of love, and Love itself. A conduit with the Holy Spirit. It is a continual conversation with the Creator of the universe, who intentionally created us out of His unimaginable love and with fellowship in mind. Prayer is our response to that love, and as in any relationship, it’s a combination of both talking and listening. I’ll share more about discerning His voice in another post.

Repent

One component of prayer is repentance. It’s not saying we’re sorry because we feel guilty. True repentance comes when we get honest with ourselves, voice our failings and wholeheartedly seek to change. No holding back or waiting for a sign. No distractions or preoccupations with the frivolities of life. Just us and God. He is the only one to whom we are ultimately accountable. The good news is: All of our sins were paid for by Christ on the cross; the moment we turn from our sins and look to the Lord, He hears, knows our intentions and is quick to forgive (1 John 1:9). However, it isn’t a “one-and-done deal”. We’re not talking about religion, but a growing relationship with the Lord. In order to keep our hearts right and to be effective followers, daily submission is essential. With hearts laid bare before Him, He lavishes His love on us until it overflows, spilling out into the lives of those around us. Daily prayer maintains that flow, keeping our focus outward and honoring to God, living transformed lives as a form of worship (Romans 12:1).

Our Closest Friend

Every moment of our lives we are blessed with the opportunity to converse with the One who is simultaneously our Savior, Almighty God, Father, and closest Friend (John 15:15). God knows all, hears all our thoughts (Psalm 139:1-4), and looks straight into our hearts, so it’s best to just humbly be ourselves. There is no need for special lingo. We can talk with God wherever we are. A great phrase I’ve learned is “Stop and Pray”.  When blessings come, I just look up and say, “Thank You!”. When in need, I often pray, “Lord, I need You!”, and He is right there. In daily struggles, I reaffirm out loud, “I trust You.” In other times, when words escape me and I don’t know what to pray, I lift my troubled soul heavenward, and the Spirit prays on my behalf, pleading for mercy and help on deeper levels than I can comprehend (Romans 8:26-27).

Here’s a poem I wrote about my relationship with Christ, and how prayer time can end up feeling like a spiritual hug:

“The Warmest Embrace”

Whenever I am feeling down
and there’s nobody else around,
there’s one person who holds me tight,
lifting my soul up off the ground.
He’s the one I fully confide in –
and who’s promised to never leave;
His arms are always open
if a hug I will just receive.
He’s a friend unlike all others
with whom I can simply talk,
who speaks directly into my heart
as through life’s valleys I walk.
My friend is never too busy for me
– I won’t ever feel ignored;
For the best and warmest embrace of all
is from Jesus, my Savior and Lord!

6-19-92
©Ladeena Ashley

Attitude Is Everything

That all being said, an undercurrent of reverent awe should always carry every prayer. God is still the Almighty One, no matter how familiar we become with His ways. We should never be flippant with our words or take God for granted, attempting to use Him like a magic genie or personal concierge. That is only asking for trouble; God will not be mocked. Besides, He loves us so much that He doesn’t always give us what we want. Yet He always gives us what we need, as we yield to Him (Matthew 6:25-33).

A Thankful Heart

On that note, I believe every prayer should begin and end with thankfulness. It reminds us that everything we have or enjoy is from God (James 1:17). In addition to thanking Him for family and friends, a job, a vehicle and a roof over my head, I often thank God simply for who He is, and for His love, grace, mercy and patience with me. Then after praying for others’ needs and my own, I also often end prayers with thankful expectancy, praising Him for how He will answer (Mark 11:24). There’s power in proclaiming that trust out loud.

Pray For Our Country

We live in a chaotic, jaded world, to say the least! The enemy is the prince of this world, but God is still in control. Please join me in praying for the nation, and for the election: for all of those who are and who will be in leadership roles, locally, statewide and nationwide. Ask God to intervene on our behalf, that the right people will be elected and the right decisions will be made.

Peace, Hope and Power

No matter what happens, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). He will help us have peace in our souls as long as we stay focused on Him (Isaiah 26:3). We can do that mainly by reading His Word and by praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16:18) as we go about our daily lives. There is forgiveness, hope and transforming power available every day, every hour and every minute, if we’ll just plug in and remain connected to the Source!

Faith Notes

A current song that I love is The God I Know by Love & The Outcome. It touches on many of the points of this post. I invite you to “throw your hands up, worries down” as you listen. (Note: Link opens up in new window.)

©Ladeena Ashley
2016 All Rights Reserved (content & blog photos)