TWI #90

Taking Care

Pamyla Floyd

7/25/2012

I, like others (I’m sure), have said “I will cook beautiful meals for my husband every night”, or “I’m going to spoil my spouse to no end” or something similar. What did I say in English you ask? For example, Proverbs 18:22 says whoso findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord. In other words, we cannot expect to suddenly start doing a thing and continue it with excellence, if we have not already been walking in it. A man usually finds a woman who already exhibits wifely traits. Sure, she may become a ‘wife’ by title after she is married, but he recognized the ‘wife’ in her long before they thought about walking down the aisle.

If I am not taking the time to pamper my own feet, it would be silly for me to think that I will automatically begin to bathe, massage and lotion my husbands’. It sounds even sillier for me to say that I would iron my husband’s clothes before laying them out and sew on any missing buttons, if I am not Taking Care to do the same things for myself. Where we are now and where we are going have to start lining up. Remember, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line! We have to start taking care now.

If where we see ourselves going, does not line up with what we are doing now, there has to be a change. Why not start treating yourself to foot massages and manicures? Why not start experimenting with different dishes or taking train rides or just living the way, which you’ve have seen yourself in your dreams? People are attracted to those who exhibit the same traits or to those who are doing what they would like to do. If you are someone who wants to get married, and time is passing you by, get up, get moving and start changing some things.

If you don’t believe me, then pick up the next homeless man/woman you see. Why not? How do you know that they won’t immediately get cleaned up, get a job and become the person that you have been asking God for? Why does that scenario sound silly? If we aren’t taking care to live life to the fullest and be all that we were called to be, aren’t we in effect behaving like a homeless man/woman? I hope that you get the gist of what I am trying to get across. Ladies we all know that no woman in her right mind would spend years ‘dating’ a man that refused to work, marry him and then expect his whole demeanor to change. He has already shown you who he is.

Life is short and Jesus said that He came to give life and to give it more abundantly. We will never experience it in all its glory, if we won’t begin to take a leap of faith and live it. Are you maximizing your potential? To those we want to attract, we may seem to be standing still, because we refuse to stand out. And that is the way it is in life, people are always watching us, whether we know it or not.

Make a list of everything that you want in a mate. Be specific, God does not half step, and He does answer prayer. Now make sure to put down the character of the man/woman that you are interested in. I went over my list taking careful inventory of the man that I want to come into my life, and I had to ask myself “Self, are you such and such?” I came to realize that I was not ‘Taking Care’. I would have been a burden to the man of God, at that time in my life. There was no reflection of what I wanted to attract living inside of me. I could not have nurtured the relationship, and given it time to grow into something beautiful. I can honestly say that I would have sucked the life out of it and run him away. There was NO way for me to become one with the man of my dreams at that time of my life.

I knew that I needed help. I still had some growing up to do, so I sought out the Holy Spirit and asked Him to teach me how to change, become whole, and be the woman that God called me to be. That is how I came up with the name Claywoman. I’m still growing daily, and I thank God for His Holy Spirit, He is all John 14:26 says He is and more! I suggest that you get to know Him for yourself. So, are you really ready for that man/woman to come into your life? Be sure to take care!

God bless,

Pamyla

TWI #89

Driving through

© Pamyla Floyd

July 17, 2012

Some time back in the 1980s, I drove to California with my 2nd cousin Lillian. while I was driving, it started storming. The rains were torrential and it was hard to see even a few feet ahead. I began to panic, and did what everyone else around us did. I pulled under the underpass to wait it out. "What are you doing?" she asked. "What do you mean, what am I doing"(I was a bit annoyed that asked me this). It was obvious, in my mind, that I needed to stop.

She went on to explain that even though the rains were heavy, and it was difficult to see, we needed to keep driving forward. "This won't last long, because we will drive through the middle and be out of it in a few minutes. So, with my heart in my throat, I did as she said. Lillian was true road warrior, and she was definitely right about the storm.

I never forgot that lesson, and have carried it with me throughout my life. After I became a Christian, that same lesson presented itself in different ways in my life, spiritually speaking. I never forgot what she taught me that day. When we face storms, it is natural to want to stop moving forward and just wait until the storm blows over. Instead we should continue moving forward, even if at a slower pace. As my pastor puts it, "Forward is the march!" Stopping makes us lose ground, and valuable time. Whether the storm lasts a few hours, weeks or longer, time still moves on. The bills still come, and we are still getting older day by day.

We may feel that since we are single, we should have a 'special grace' that keeps us from having to deal with certain things. Its easy to say, "If I were married" or "I shouldn't have to deal with this alone" etc. But the storms we face in life are not to crush or destroy us. They come to build us up in our faith, and to build our character.

The enemy uses storms to stop us in our tracks and stunt our growth. he surely wants to make us think that we are alone. I Samuel 12:22 says For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. Put the pity parties in the trash where they belong. Your future spouse needs a mate that does not make excuses nor run and hide with their tail between their legs.

He didn't just save us, and leave us,but He is there no matter what. He promised to never leave nor forsake us. In Psalms 139:8, David exclaims, If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there! Wow how awesome is our God! yes, we can continue to move forward through anything with confidence, because He has us. Good spouses balance each other so that both are strengthened and become one strong unit. But remember, it takes 2 whole people to unite and build a strong and lasting relationship that can weather the storms of life together. Your singleness may seem like one long storm, but believe me it isn't.

Change your outlook. You are being equipped, challenged and molded into the man/woman that God has called you to be. You can make it make it with the Lord's help. Just keep driving through.

God bless,

Pamyla

Psalms 132:14

Am I ready?

TWI #82
© Pamyla Floyd
2/11/2012

I know that I have had to ask myself this question, as I’m sure that many of us must also do. Am I ready? Am I ready for the thing that I’m asking of the lord? Am I mature enough discuss uncomfortable conversations? How do I handle misunderstandings? Do I immediately take action or wait for things to work themselves out? Actually, there is no right or wrong here. But, the question of our motives come into play when we’re faced with challenging circumstances, conversations, problems and the way we handle them.

If we have always yelled down others when they approached with a problem, and ignored their feelings or stance on things, then we need to take a long hard look at ourselves. Now that is easy to say, but nothing is impossible with God. If we are not willing to try effective communication where both parties’ input are listened to, then we may just not be ready yet. If we insist on throwing temper tantrums to get our way, because that is how things have always worked, we surely are not ready for ‘that person’ to come into our lives.

It would be a shame to have prayed and waited for that suitable mate, only to run them away, because we aren’t willing to change for the greater cause of those involved. What about finances? Nobody LIKES paying bills, but unfortunately, it is a must in this life. On the other hand, if we don’t like paying bills and won’t pay them, this is a huge problem. Even as singles, if we think that we can do whatever we want, however we want, because “I don’t have to answer to anyone” we are entering into a mindset with motives that are not pleasing to the Lord. We will find ourselves pushed further away from attaining the promise of a successful loving relationship. It is foolish to think that our Heavenly Father would bring His virtuous woman or mighty man of valor into the life of someone who would ruin their walk, life and testimony. I’m trying to keep it real. There are far too many divorces in the body of Christ.

In order to walk in the promises of God we have to be in position. No batter can make a home run if he refuses to come up to the plate. We need to have a teachable spirit, be a good listener, have compassion toward others, walk in love, and be ready to forgive. Another key component is that we be willing to work on things, by following through every time.

So, whether our petition letter to the Lord be about our spiritual growth,a new home, job , relationship or whatever; the question should always be—Am I ready?

Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips—Psalms 21:2

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting—Matthew 17:21

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

God bless,
Pamyla