(You are) Precious

Hey you!

 
Yes, you, right there.

 
You’re precious.

 
Who are you precious to? I ask that question. On my down days, thinking thoughts like “do I actually matter? Does anyone value me?” (hands up if you’ve thought these thoughts too – ooh, I see a few in the back).

 
I wanna tell you right now, that you weren’t brought to read this for no reason. God values you a lot, and whether this is news or whether you’ve heard this a million times, I think you should hear it again.

 
How about we dig a little deeper (bring your spades and shovels – what’s that saying, the more hands the easier, or the easier with more hands? You know what I mean).

 
The definition of precious is below:

 
Of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.

(Used as a term to address a beloved person.)

 
Hmm. Let’s make a pretty little analogy: do you have a belonging or person that you hold close to your heart that you value, protect and are very careful with? A family member, or a diamond ring maybe? Something that you would call precious?

 
How you see that thing/person is how God sees you. He’s looking down on you, smiling, and holding you close. He’s got you – you are precious in His sight. Don’t forget that.

 
See, told you we’d dig deep. And as I’m writing this I feel it’s touching my heart too. Read the definition of precious again, and this time read it like this:

 
You are of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.

(Used as a term to address you. By God.)

 
That’s right, you. If I was having a coffee with you right now, I’d look you in the eye and share this bible verse (1 Corinthians 6:20):

 You were bought at a price.

 For some of you that have been reading my blog, I did just share that scripture a few posts ago. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to repeat it, right? It makes me smile every time I hear it, and I bet it makes your heart feel Gods love too. And remember, it’s not me telling you this – it’s GOD. He’s the Creator and Maker of all things….including you.

 
So go out there, sister, and live your life knowing just how valued you are. I’ll embark on this journey with you, I think.

 
x

Heart Cravings

Hello friend!

Are you craving anything right now? A warm fudgey piece of chocolate cake perhaps? Or maybe a warm package of hot chips…..the options are endless.

Oh, and I apologize if I just aroused those cravings that you were trying to banish. But let’s face it, sister, they ain’t ever gonna go (unless you become one of those health freaks who don’t even go near anything with the word carb in it – TORTURE!!!).

Believe it or not, I actually have a point for bringing food up. If you’ll be so kind, read below:

·         Our stomach has cravings (don’t try and deny this – we all know it’s true)

·         Just like our stomach, our heart has cravings too

And just how do we fill those cravings coming from our heart? No matter how much double caramel ice cream you devour, it won’t satisfy your heart. Nuh uh.

My heart longs for depth. Intimacy with Christ. LOVE.

What does your heart crave for? Deep, deep down, that longing, what is that?

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” Eccles. 3:11

There’s always going to be that longing. That’s just how God has made us.

(I don’t completely understand. But I do know that God understands.)

It seems like we’re in a bit of a dark hole, but the good news is Papa God knew that we’d have those cravings when he created us. He hasn’t forgotten about you, he knows exactly what you need.

GOD can fill those cravings.

It’s different for every person – some people need to feel worthy, feel wanted, but something we all need is to feel loved.

I think that’s what’s at the heart of our heart – to love, and to be loved. Love is so important.

Boogie on down to 1 Corinthians (13:13):

So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

So love is important, huh? It’s mentioned again and again in the bible. And here’s some exciting news:

You are loved. A lot.

By who?

Papa God.

1 John (4:16) says this:

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Here’s another gem (Romans 5:8):

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I’m touched. My heart’s cravings are satisfied. And what’s cool is we are called to love others as well. See John (13:34):

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Go back to your life. Spread the Word. Love, and remember in your heart that you’re loved.

x

(Thanks for reading by the way…..it’s really sweet. The fact that you and I had this special time makes me want to celebrate and crack open a tub of hokey pokey! [any excuse is valid])

Grandma's Apple and Rhubarb Crumble

Oooh, this is one of my personal favorites. The flavors are so delicious, and it’s hard to beat served with whipped cream. I’ve put off writing this up, because I know the instant I finish I’ll have this unstoppable need to go and make this recipe myself. You too might succumb to this once you have tasted it. I have warned you.

First of all, chop enough rhubarb and apple to fill your bowl in equal amounts. Then put the fruit into a pot filled halfway with water and leave to stew (you’ll know it’s done when the fruit is soft and tender).

To make the topping, mix 90gm of melted butter with

¾ cup flour

¾ cup rolled oats

¾ cup sugar

½ cup coconut

When the fruit is softened, allow to cool and then place in bowl with spread the topping evenly on the fruit.

Bake at 180o for 45 minutes.

Enjoy served with whipped cream.  

x

You are? Precious. Loved. Valued. YOU!

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. (right about now I eat a Tic Tac just to mix things up).

And the clock goes on.  

Life, eh? That’s a phrase I emit along with a sigh, sometimes. When things get rough. When I’m sad, when I’m happy, when my thoughts swirl around in my head like a hurricane, and everything seems too much. Life, eh?

Right now I’m sitting at my desk, everything’s peaceful, but I know in the back of my head I should probably be somewhere, doing something, talking to someone. But instead I’m here. Talking to you. What about you? Where are you? At your desk, perhaps? Having a bit of alone time? First of all, I’m very privileged to have you joining me today – no really, it’s an honour. I’d like to share with you a little piece of thought, or a bunch of words, or whatever you want to call it. So maybe grab a bite to eat (speaking of eating, I might go get something myself. Apple strudel or tuna sandwich….tough decisions) and join me on this little piece of mind food. Hehe…two kinds of food…..I’m a genius.

Moving on..

I think I’ll talk about you.

Haha, did you just freak out? Don’t worry, it’s not like it sounds! It’s just, well, is it just me that has a hard time being myself and finding who I truly am? Sometimes I doubt myself and confidence doesn’t come easy on those days. Am I loved? Am I valued? Do I actually have talents and gifts that are important? Do I have a purpose in this world? If you’ve got some questions like this, I dare you to READ ON!

First of all, here are a few points I’d like to make (yes, that’s right, I’m Miss. Professionally Speaking today):

·         Everyone has their own talents.

·         Everyone is valued.

·         Everyone has their own little place in LIFE.

Sooooo….I don’t know much about you, but I do know that you’re YOU. “Duh!” is what you’re thinking, but just take me seriously for a moment, and I’ll explain.

Lots of people have struggles finding out who they really are, I know I did! And still do, to be honest. Social media keeps projecting this false image that we’re supposed to look like and be like. There’s a lot of pressure to be up  to date and what everyone else is doing; what you “should” be doing. But have you ever stopped to think about who YOU are? What do you love? What things are you gifted in?

Miss, Mr, or Mrs, I hereby declare that you have full permission to BE YOURSELF.

It’s as simple as that really – you weren’t created by mistake. You were created to specifically, well, BE YOU. God created a love for you out of the best that He had. In His eyes, you are PRECIOUS. Here’s a pretty darn cool bible verse that proves it (1 Corinthians 6:20):

“You were bought at a price.” 

Aww, I know I’m feeling the love. Also, why we’re still on the same page (sorry, pun intended), you are created for a purpose. A PURPOSE. Not just to stand here on earth, but He’s actually got a plan for your life. Soooo, flip to your bibles everyone…Oh, no, wait, I’ve got it right here so you don’t have to (a round of applause goes to anyone that did actually reach for their bible – I commend you). Here it is (Jeremiah 29:11):

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

For me, that’s such a relief. I have really high expectations of myself, so to hear that God has a plan for my life is just fab. I’m free to be me! (*cheesiness alert*) I am precious, I am created for a purpose, and I’m myself!! And you know what’s really cool?

YOU are precious! YOU are created for a purpose! YOU are free to be yourself!

People need someone like you. You totally have a place in this world, and you’re totally valued. Totally.

Okay, you can breathe out now. Phew.

To finish off, here’s quote from the brilliant Dr. Seuss:

“Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one in the world that is youer than you.”

Don’t try to be anyone else, be yourself, because everyone else is taken. And if you weren’t you, who would fill your shoes? Your shoes are valued. Loved. Created for a purpose. By HIM.

x