The Word of God, Vacation, Sunny Day, Time for my Swing and Life

Hello again blog!  So good to see you.  I’ve been absent for a number of weeks.  Preoccupied with life and the storms and the the everyday stuff.

Today is my first day of vacation.  I’ve never had a summer vacation before – this is the first!!!! And I’m beyond excited and very thankful.

This morning I had my breakfast on my swing, in the sun.
Everything is so green and lush (there are benefits to rain).
My garden is planted (finally).
My new bird house is in place (it is so beautiful- copper coloured in the sun).
The blue jays have taken ownership but I see that the little birds are smart and sneak in when they can.
We have two hummingbirds and I love the sound of their wings as they beat furiously to stay in flight.

Today I am reminded of my desire to live that “arms and hand open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, abandoned laughter, don’t care who is looking, kind of life”.  And TODAY I aim for that again!

I have been reading in the book of Esther for a few weeks now and thought I would share a few “gems” that I have gleaned so far:

I find Queen Vashti most interesting and the lessons to be learned multi-faceted depending on how you look at her story.

1) Queen Vashti was disobedient to the authority of the King.  In her position of Queen perhaps she fell victim to pride and disobedience and was because of that was banished.  As children of the King of Kings we must be wary of becoming high and lofty in our position and giftings, always remembering to humble ourselves always before our King and Saviour – receiving grace and wisdom, not finding ourselves demoted.

2) The King’s men understood woman!  They understood that woman look to other woman for direction.  If Queen Vashti was disobedient, they reasoned, other woman would follow her lead and be disobedient as well.  If we turn that around into a positive thought – we also look to other woman to grow and blossom! Therefore, in a positive way, we can influence the woman around us, in our walk with the Lord.  Watch what you speak and live what you preach.  Be kind and generous and humble.  Walk in grace.  Encourage one another in love.  It is not a competition.

3) Queen Vashti was punished as an example to others around her – woman specifically.  It could be argued that Queen Vashti wearied of being paraded as a puppet for the benefit of a selfish and shallow King.  It could be argued that she was standing up for what she believed to be true and right, accepting the possibility of the punishment that would follow.  Again, the King’s men understood that woman tend to be followers – of other woman especially – it goes back to looking to other woman for direction.  But as Woman of God we are called to be Warriors with a vision, not sheep following sheep.  Dare to stand for the Lord and His work in spite of the “example” made of others going before you. Pray, seek direction and go forward – not looking side to side or around to see what others are doing but looking up to see where the Lord would have you.