Girl time…I have to have it! I grew up with two sisters, so there was plenty of drama in our house. Then God blessed me with a real manly man for a husband. (Let’s just say he’s not very in touch with his feminine side!) I think God knew what He was doing when He gave us two very adventurous boys. My husband could not have handled the roller coaster hormone ride that comes with a house full of girls.
But…I crave my girl time. These are a few of my favorite things…A good chick flick, rearranging furniture, a day at the beach, style magazines, and chocolate chip cookies…oh my! The list goes on and on. Instead I have been surrounded with ESPN, tents, racks (antlers that is, not clothing racks) and camo. So what’s a girl to do? Get a daughter-in-law! I am loving the new addition to our family! Her name is Lauren Elizabeth – ironically the same name my husband and I chose for our son had he been a girl! God is a great match maker, isn’t He? And the other good news is that I know one day there will be grandchildren…one way or another!
Another fix to my girl time cravings is women’s ministry events. Nothing like “Tables of Love,” Mother-daughter teas, and ladies luncheons to satisfy that yearning for real female bonding time. I adore those amazing centerpieces, incredible chicken salad dishes and the fashion display I have witnessed at numerous southern churches, not to mention those handy-dandy gift bags and give-away drawings! I have won Mary Kay make-up, dish towels, hair products, and Bath and Body Works lotion that have saved me a ton of money over the years. (smile…you know you love ‘em!).
But, with all these good things in my life, some days I feel very alone. I struggle with insecurity, control issues, doubt and materialism. The enemy attacks me pounding away at my self-esteem and self-control! But I am learning to fight him with the power of GOD TIME. Sometimes He uses other people (my husband, family, friends) to encourage me and hold me accountable, but mainly He uses His Word to remind me that my hope, my joy, my security is “in Him.” It’s all throughout Ephesians 1. (12 times to be exact.) So when I am tempted to find what I REALLY crave through my husband, my kids or my friends, I am reminded that Jesus satisfies! He really does satisfy!
…But, He goes down good with chocolate chip cookies.
Heart to Heart…jb