But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Prayer
Father God in a world that demands much, spiritual renewal is needed daily. Sadly, the process of regenerating one’s mind is grossly overlooked because of the demands of life. As a result, many that love you are unable to take hold of your promise; therefore, today’s request is asking for you to fill your empty vessels with peace that will allow the renewing of the spirit. Amen
Lord, I should not be lost for words when praying. Everyday brings a new blessing. If nothing else, I can give praise of thanksgiving for the wonderful life I live. Knowing I can always expect your love and acceptance in abundance. Amen
Okay! I am a day late posting my message for Inspirational Friday’s but here it is! I found this story and it was untitled so I gave it a title today. I felt it was like a beautiful baby wanting to be affirmed by words of acceptance. It packs a powerful message about being blessed regardless of bad attitudes.
A classic ice cream sundae, complete with a cherry on top (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This is from an old story, back in the ’30s, in the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less. A 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
“How much is an ice cream sundae?” the little boy asked.
“Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins he had. “Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired.
By now, more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing very impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied.
The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.
The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry. As she wiped down the table, there placed neatly beside the empty dish were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae because he had to have enough money to leave her a tip.
We are not human beings trying to be spiritual. We are spiritual beings trying to be human. ~ Jacquelyn Small
Whether women were human fascinated the English writer D. H. Lawrence, who often explored this conundrum in his work. “Man is willing to accept women as an equal, as a man in skirts, as an angel, a devil, a baby face, a machine, an instrument, a bosom, a womb, a pair of legs, a servant, and encyclopedia, and ideal or an obscenity; the one thing he won’t accept her as is a human being, a real human being of the feminine sex.”
Perhaps the reason men find it so difficult to accept women as human beings is because we’re not, and deep down everyone knows it. But often women forget their Divinity as they go about their daily round. How often do we excuse ourselves with the expression, “well, I’m only human.”
No, you’re not, and neither am I. We forget we’re spiritual beings appearing for a brief span on this planet as humans. I certainly forgot that this morning when my daughter stayed home from school because she’s sick. Again. In a little while, I’ll have to take her to the doctor for a strep test and my entire work day will have been disrupted. I’m frustrated and angry; not at Katie—at real life, at deadlines. But did she realize that, when I rolled my eyes at the thought of another day gone awry? I don’t think so.
Spiritual beings do not sweat real life’s small stuff. They also know that most of what drives us crazy in real life is small stuff. The only thing that isn’t small stuff is the reason you’re on earth in the first place: to find that portion of the world’s lost heart that only you can ransom with your love and authentic gifts and then return it, so that all of us can experience Wholeness.
A spiritual being knows that the work will be waiting for her when she gets back from the doctor’s office. A spiritual being knows that there is no such thing as a deadline. Deadlines are chronos, the world’s time; Divinity knows only kairos, Eternity. The being knows that the only thing that’s not small stuff today is caring fro and comforting a sick child.
This spiritual being might have also known that this morning if she’d taken five minutes to center herself.
Scripture tells us that men were created a little above the angels. But don’t ever forget that women were the climax of the Spirit’s creativity cycle. After woman was created, Wisdom realized there was no need to proceed further: this superior being would save the world.
Big things are expected of us.
As for me, there’s a lost heart that needs to be ransomed by a spiritual being trying to be human.
Black Women Have It Going On 