I wonder how many artists have been working on a project hoping for it to be amazing and slipped with the paint or the ink?! At the time they would be thinking that they have ruined their work, but with time and a different perspective they discover that what seemed to be a mistake has actually enhanced their vision and created an original masterpiece!
As I stand where I am now and reflect on my past, I find myself watching younger women today who are finding their way through life with Jesus and my heart swells with love and admiration and today I want you to know that there are many of us who want to stand on the side line of your life and cheer you on.
I’m going to be honest - over the years, I have struggled with many aspects of my spiritual life as well as my life in general. Like everyone I have made mistakes in life, but from where I now stand, I don’t regret anything because I have learnt from my mistakes and grown from these experiences. I believe we will never stop learning in-fact, the more I learn, the more I discover I do not know.
So like you I am still learning and growing and I now realise that there will never be a time when I “have it all together”. Life is a constant adventure of growth, but as I look back now there are a few things I think I could tell my younger self. So if was able to tell my younger self anything from where I now stand, this is what I would say.....
Many years ago I had a dream that left me pondering for months to come ...
I was sitting alone and having what I call reflection time with the Lord and I captured a picture of myself going back in time and speaking to my younger self.
I was just a small child gazing at my reflection in a still pond. I recall the thoughts that this child could only see herself on the surface, but life would eventually plunge her into the deep. A place where undiscovered talent and gifts would emerge amidst the difficulties and challenges she would face. I watched as she stared at the water knowing she wanted to plunge in but holding back out of fear not knowing what lay beneath the surface.
I felt inclined to tell her not to be afraid and to speak.
I wanted to prepare her for the experience she would have, should she dare to leave the surface of life and plunged into the deep.......
To the one who looked in the mirror and gave up, stay dear one, just for today stay and He will meet you here.
To the one who looked in the mirror and did not recognise who she saw, keep looking dear one, she is still there.
To the one who looked in the mirror and saw someone who took two steps and failed again, do not give up dear one, celebrate the steps not the fall.
To the one who looked in the mirror and was ready for the day, slow down dear one, be ready for His interruptions.
To the one who looked in the mirror and saw one busy building the kingdom, be wise dear one, build His kingdom not your own.
To the one who looked in the mirror and walked out full of courage and boldness, be aware dear one, there will be one who needs you to fight for them today.
To the one who looked in the mirror and was determined to make today different, walk on dear one, you can do it.
To the one who looked in the mirror, whoever you are today, stand tall dear one, you are not alone in how you feel......
I am one just like you. I am all of you. We are all of these.
Do you hear it?
Does the black and white truth call out to YOU?
Listen– As mothers, as sisters, as women and as the daughters of God we are being called to attention!
God is a generational God and He is drawing our attention to see that there is a legacy of community that is being subtly and silently eroded.
There are generations of women watching us and depending on us......
Every time we open our mouth we have the opportunity to reflect our Commander – in Chief. Our world, our children, our generation need us to be women who are awakened to the fight to speak life and light into every place and everyone. Words in the mouth of a trained warrior are a skilled weapon. And when we are strategically positioned and commissioned by our Commander, by His power, our words have the power to build kingdoms, speak life, cast down lies & deception, break chains, usher in healing, bring comfort, declare a hope and a future and bring Light into the places of darkness.