The Flannel Wearin' Lady

As I've mentioned before, I have discovered I am quite the introvert.  

I enjoy my time alone.  So on my Friday night of homecoming at Wesleyan, what do I decide to do?  Go to Panera and Target by myself to enjoy some quality time by myself while exploring the female wonder: Target.  Really though, is there a woman you know who isn't amazed by Target.  Not saying men don't love it just as much, but for some reason, I can walk around that store and look at toiletries (like the little glass dispensers and cute metallic soap holders).  

Yes.

That's what I

looked at tonight.

Anyways, this is usually what I find myself doing (the whole Clarksburg trip not toiletry shopping) when I'm sick of people and just need to get off campus.  It gives me time to think.  You'd be surprised how inspiring a glass toothbrush holder can be... 

Just pickin'!  But it does give me a chance to think.  Actually, this very moment I'm sitting at Panera.  My intention was to get some homework done, or do some thinkin'.  Or blog in  this case.  

So what would you wear on this adventure?  I chose to wear my oldest AE jeans (I think I've had them since I was in like 10th grade), my favorite Life is Good shirt ("The little things in life are the big things"), and my over-sized Walmart flannel.  Might I add that my hair is thrown around in a messy braid and I haven't put makeup on since this morning... Goodness, I am one mess.  Not hot, just a mess.

These are the days when I usually don't feel good about myself.  When I am feelin' all good about myself, I'll wear a dress or at least a cute top or something flattering.  This was not that day...

Yet, I manage to get hit on.  TWICE!  I'm pretty sure God wanted to prove something to me as He laughed one of those snorty laughs and probably got teary from it.  I was in shock and have a way of not knowing what to say or do in those situations... So I simply smiled and passed by (I was probably red).  

But as I started driving, I was pondering on the comments they made.  One was something like, "Hey girl, you need a ride?".  And then of course his guys thought it would be cute to chime in and make a scene.  Whistling managed to slip out, too.  And of course, the famous wandering eyes.  

I was slightly sickened.  Not because I took offense to it.  No, it was kinda funny and even if it is not in a very polite way, it still makes ya feel pretty good about yourself at first.  I thought about all the girls who would hold their worth in what those cocky, undeserving guys thought.  

Some girls would probably have kept up the conversation.  Or taken what they said to heart.  Or even sought out further recognition from them, no matter what they have to give to get it. 

This bothers me.  And I'm not knocking those who do.  I just hurt for them.  My heart breaks for them because that was me at one point.  I would have smiled and remembered that moment for a long time, expecting that's how all men should treat me.  But it's not...

Girls, we are God's prized possession (James 1:18).  The dude who made the Earth in SEVEN days...

Prince of Peace

Lord of Lords 

Our Rock

Salvation

Jehovah

Morning Star

Deliverer

Sacrifice

I could go on forever... This guy is completely astonishing and completely intrigued with every single inch of our being.  He created us for goodness sake.  

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body    and knit me together in my mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13)

How cool is that?  This loving Father is also the lover of our souls.  He yearns to have a relationship with you.  One that should be the cornerstone of the relationship you have with your future husband. 

In my saying all this, I want each of you lovely ladies (sorry guys) to seek after His fulfillment rather than the fulfillment of the attractive guy who lent you a compliment.  Is there anything wrong with the compliment?  No, but don't expect to find soul-fulfilling commitment in this guy.  God can be that to you.

From another stance, GUYS!  WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?  Whistling at the girl walking past you is no way to win over a lady.  That's what we are you know, "ladies".  We like to be pampered and shown respect.  We'd rather you tell us we're "beautiful" than "hot".  We love it when you initiate conversation by asking how we really are.  We seek after a guy who's not afraid to be different and stand up for what's right (that's a total turn on, haha).  We want you to lead us by praying for wisdom.  We want you to love Jesus even more than us (and that truly is a sacrifice).  And we want you to love us because we are everything you could have ever imagined God would prepare for you.

That's what we want as "ladies".  And girls, you gotta want it, too.  Don't expect them to want you for your gentleness without being willing to show them you are.  Seek after Christ and He will show you how to be.  I promise, I'm doing it myself. 

Well for those of you who don't know where you get affirmation to those who just want to find the right man, I am praying for you.  And I'm here for you and I can promise you this...

Search me, O God,

and know my heart; 

try me, and know my anxieties; 

and see if there is any wicked way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting. 

(Psalm 139:23,24)

 

 

One scruffy "lady",

Elizabeth  

Twiddly Dee

Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Do you look at God, with that awful, whiny voice that you used to give your mom when you wanted something and you weren't getting your way, and tell Him that you are just so sick of waiting?  I have.  Actually, I'm doing it now.

I've heard this verse over and over, but yet it's never been as convicting as it was today.  A big shout-out to Jeremy Camp for posting it today and making my self-pity seem minimal.  

  

What's that song?... "While I'm Waiting"?  

It's a song by John Waller.  

I fell in love with it when I was in high school 

and sent it off with a friend 

who didn't know what to do with his life.  

I wasn't quite at that stage yet, 

but I knew one day I would be...

like now.  

So as many of you know (if you don't yet, you will soon discover), that I am a huge advocate and lover of studying one verse over and over.  I guess it's my PR skills that have taught me to be detail-oriented and analyze everything!  Or maybe I'm  just a nerd... But either way, I always look at every word in the text.  

First line:

Wait patiently for the Lord.

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm already at that stomach-twisting point when you see the verse and you know you need to read it, but you also know that as soon as you really get into it the Jesus in ya is going to come around with that still, small voice and remind you of something you'd neglected for far too long.  Because I'm in the whiny state, that is not what I wanted.  But this morning, I didn't knock Him.

Wait: key word right here (mark it down). 

I hate waiting, I am so impatient (just ask my mom or my friend Kelsie).  Waiting is just such a bummer!  And here God is tellin' us to wait patiently (um ten times harder).  It's like you're all pumped up, ready to go, and them you sit... and think of all the amazingness you could be experiencing if you didn't have to rely on the other person to get their junk together.  Maybe it's my independent nature.  Well, sorta independent.  I like to know what's going on at all times, but I hate to make the decision.  

My mom always had a schedule when we were growing up.  If I was going to have friends over that Friday night, I needed to let her know at the beginning of the week so she could get snacks, prepare beds, etc.  Spontaneity isn't really in our nature.  Though looking at me now, I am very glad she prepared me to be that way.   Now don't get me wrong, we can still have some good random fun, but we like to know what's included in the fun.  

What is it your waiting on?  

Keep whatever it is (or they are) 

in mind while reading the rest of this.

So we know we've gotta wait patiently, but don't leave out the second part of this which says to "wait patiently on the Lord." 

There are so many times in our life when we get me and I in a position of priority.  Sure, we need to have a good head on our shoulders, definitely pray for wisdom, and act accordingly.  But I think we leave out a very valid point when we wait for what we want to happen rather than wait on what He wants to happen.  

How many times have you prayed for something (or maybe you didn't even get that far) and when something good happens, you automatically assume its "the right thing"? 

I've been in this position oh so many times.  I wait and wait and I take the first encouraging sign as a definitive answer, rather than waiting around to make sure it's what He wants.

I think there is a lot you can accomplish while your waiting.  Besides the obvious attributes we hear all the time ("learning patience" being one of the most obnoxiously common one), you might just discover yourself along the way.

The past year or so, I've been waiting.  I waited and waited for a friend that just got me, direction for my future career, enthusiasm and opportunity to shine for Him, and many other situations in which I am still waiting (it sucks).  But one thing I have discovered along the way is that I am finding out who I truly am.  

Elizabeth Wickline:

The independent

stubborn

introverted

family-centered

beauty-seeking

easily distracted

conflict fleeing

ditzy

eating disordered

self-conscious

fashion-loving

craft guru 

with a heart for teen/college girls who struggle with prizing themselves in God's eyes

and love's love stories.

It's been a very bumpy ride.  Like at least 100 miles of pot holes.  But one thing I've learned, if I don't wait on His timing, I will get lost on a side road and miss out on the adventure He has waiting on me. 

It comes back to that word we all love so very much: trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Trust that all the waiting and nail-biting is going to be worth it.  Don't get distracted from the adventure He has for you.  I promise you, when you receive that overwhelming peace, you'll know which direction or decision is right.  No more twiddling thumbs or aimless wandering.  Just total and complete contentment.  

So I realize that I've only touched on the first line of this verse.  Guess what this means?...

To Be Continued 

(I've always wanted to do that)

From one twiddler to another, 

Elizabeth