Pure Magazine

Choosing To

Let Go and Let God

One of the hardest things for a woman to admit is that she cannot do everything on her own. In today’s society women are expected to be superheroes. They should be able to hold down a full-time job, take care of their children and husbands, get dinner on the table, take care of everyone’s problems, stay in shape physically, and do all of it with a smile on their face. It isn’t hard to understand why women feel a lot of unneeded pressure when they try to fill the roles of a superhero.

When I think about the progress women have made in the world, I have mixed feelings. For a single,working mother, it is even harder to juggle all of life’s battles and I applaud you. “Let’s see here…how can I leave this board meeting in time for my child’s PTA meeting? And wait, I have to pick up the dry cleaning and wash my daughter’s dance uniform tonight too.” Does this sound familiar to anyone?

For those of you that may think I am anti-women-working, I am far from it.What I am against is a society that thinks “working” can only be done outside the home and that being a mother isn't "real work". The Bible talks about a “woman of noble character” that works hard and takes care of her family.

Proverbs 31:13-

“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.”

Even to a mother with help from a spouse, life can be hectic. To women that want to stay home, often times it isn’t possible financially. It’s hard to raise a family on two incomes, today; let alone with one income. Women are expected to feel guilty,no matter what they choose to do. If you stay home to take care of your husband and kids, you are supposed to feel guilty for the lack in income, having people claim you aren’t “pulling your weight”. If you choose to work (or have to work), you are expected to feel guilty for not having enough time to spend with your kids. As a woman, you cannot win in today’s society. So as I said, when I think about the “progress” women have made, I am proud and worried at the same time.

According to Kim Parker, author o f“The Harried Life of the Working Mother”, “women make up almost half of the U.S. labor force, up from 38% in 1970. This nearly forty-year trend has been fueled by a broad public consensus about the changing role of women in society. A solid majority of Americans (75%) reject the idea that both husband and wife should contribute to the family income. But in spite of these long-term changes in behaviors and attitudes, many women remain conflicted about the competing roles they play at work and at home. Working mothers in particular are ambivalent about whether full-time work is the best thing for them or their children; they feel the tug of family much more acutely than do working fathers. As a result, most working mothers find themselves in a situation that they say is less than ideal.”

We have already stated the obvious here: women are under pressure. But, how can we deal with these pressures whilst staying sane? My solution is just as obvious as the problem: Cast your cares on the Lord. He is our burden bearer and He wants to be there for us.

Psalm 55:22

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Psalm 68:19

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Isaiah 40:29-31

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.”

Freedom is coming, and His name is Jesus. All He asks is that you allow Him to take the load off your shoulders.No matter where you are in life, God is watching out for you. Whether you are single, married, divorced, widowed, with children or without children, working at home or outside the home, God knows what you are going through and He will give you the strength you need to accomplish what He has set out for you to do.

Let’s all try to trust God more and“let go & let God”.

Image borrowed from: http://www.lifesip.com/images/life-is-a-highway-10.jpg

Revised by Marci Watt

It was just last night that my husband and I decided to take a ride on our motorcycle. As we cruised down the highway, with stars above our heads and the summer heat blowing on our faces, I started thinking about how life is dangerously similar to our motorcycle's tires treading on that road. How quickly do we forget the road behind us?  How often do we take time to recall the things God has brought us through? Do we really take time to thank God for navigating us through the tough roads behind us and ahead of us?

Image borrowed from: http://static.desktopnexus.com/thumbnails/118223-bigthumbnail.jpg

Before this magazine was created, I spent five months in Australia during a Mission trip. Prior to this trip, I had my heart broken. The details of the heartbreak aren't as relevant as the healing that God brought to me. Day by day, I had to prepare my mind to focus on God, focus on his promises, and focus on serving the people I was with. And just when I was at my weakest point, God made himself so present in my life.

People keep asking me, "Why the leaves? Why have that as your magazine's logo?" The truth is, there is a very big story behind it. There is a story of hope.

Similar to the story you've read in "He is Real" called "Strawberry Hope", God brought me to a place in nature that brought me out of the miry clay and onto solid ground.

One day, during our classroom lectures, we were discussing "Hearing the Voice of God." We were taught that God has many ways of speaking to people. He comes as an audible voice, a whisper, a dream or vision, and many more. The most important in this story is that He can make himself known through nature. Our speaker on that day handed us each a post card face down. She said, "Go find a quiet place and when I say so you can flip over your post cards. Ask God to speak to you through your post card." I will be honest; I thought it was a load of crap. I knew that God speaks to us, but through a post card? Come on, get real.

However, to follow directions, I flipped it over. To my surprise, the post card was a picture of two trees, set in autumn. One was very tall, so tall in fact that all you could see was the sturdy trunk. The one next to it however was vibrant, full of color and life, and blooming everywhere. The funny thing to begin with, is that my favorite season is autumn. I was born in autumn.

Image borrowed from: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/tm/2008/09/arkansasfall_428x269_to_468x312.jpg

As I looked at this post card, my hand started writing. All these words started flooding into my mind. And before I knew it, I had written this prophesy for my life that God had inspired.

It read:

"When you return in autumn, you will be a new creation. I am planting you in new soil. I am placing you next to someone that will help you flourish: someone steady and strong. You will glow with the radiance of my joy. I will give you the desires of your heart. I will allow you to rest in my peace. You are beautiful, my child. I have created you beautifully. No longer will you feel alone. My breath of life surrounds you. Flourish in the gifts I have given you. I am giving you a friend to stand by you, to feed into you, to show your beauty, to support you. Do not worry, my daughter. You are mine and I am yours."

Though to the common eye, this doesn't exactly say, "Go start an online magazine for women.".... That is exactly what it said to me. Now, keep in mind there were already dreams and visions from God that told me to do this. Also, it took over two years for it to come into play. But, God did bring me my friend to support me: my husband. He was the one that finally pushed me to start this magazine. He was the one that God placed in my life to support me.

Image borrowed from: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1078/1419483836_6e61cd4cbc.jpg

So, as I sat on that motorcycle last night, thinking about life, I realized that God is bigger than we often give him credit for. His promises spread further than any highway we may be cruising down. He has been planning your life since before you were born. He set aside certain moments and people just for you. He has been placing the pieces of your life together since birth.

Ephesians 1:11

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

To those of you that are cruising through life so quickly that you don't even see God in the big picture, my suggestion is that you slow down. Take the time to recollect times in your life that God made himself known. Think of all the times He has healed you, given you hope, brought a person into your life, etc.

 Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being;

       you knit me together in my mother's womb.

 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

       your works are wonderful,

       I know that full well.

Maybe you are in the process of going through a trying time of life. Maybe you can't see God in the midst of all your pain. Or, perhaps you are so happy and successful that you forget how you got there. You forget to thank God for blessing you with what you have.

No matter where you are in life, try to slow down a bit and remember that God is in charge; God is bigger than any trial, and happier than you are for your success.

John 15:13 (New International Version)

13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Have you ever thought to yourself, "What can I do for my friend today?" For most of us we can say that we have had that thought on average maybe once every month or others maybe even once every other week. But if we were really honest, most of us would have to admit that we have the thought of, "Why hasn't my friend been there for me through this time?" or "I wonder if anyone has even thought to pick up the phone and call me."

On average, the majority of us are pretty self-involved. I don't say this to condemn, but rather to bring light to the fact that there is a great need for friendship described in the verse above. God gave us relationships for a reason and they are not to be taken lightly.

According to capecodonline.com, "People with a strong social network are more likely to survive a major illness such as a heart attack or cancer. Human companionship can also help reduce the effects of stress on the body, protect against illness, and help us heal when we do get sick. They're also less susceptible to chronic illnesses such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis." If you read these words, it almost says that the power of friendship can make someone feel better...it can bring healing.

I know in my own personal life, when I am feeling ill and a friend calls to see how I am, it makes me feel better. I feel my spirit lifting just because someone cares.

I guess the scripture is true in Ecclesiastes 4:10 (New International Version) when it says "If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!"

You can carry this same idea in to any relationship, including marriage and family. According to Psychologytoday.com, "Studies show unequivocally that it's the friendship part of marriage that makes marriage last." I know if I didn't feel that friendship between my husband and I, we would be struggling. I need to know that he is my companion and my friend, not just my husband or lover.

In that same breath, I need to show my husband that I am his friend. I need to be there for him by sometimes sacrificing what I want to do. For example, my husband loves watching football. I love to play it but cannot stand watching it on TV. But because he loves it, I am going to start watching it with him this fall. Why? Because I want him to know that I am his friend and am willing to participate in the things he enjoys.

We all could use a little boost in our friendship points, even if we feel we are great friends. Try this week to put aside how you are feeling and what you want to do, in order to do something special for one of your friends. Maybe an unexpected visit or phone call, an encouraging card sent out, maybe even flowers delivered. One of the most important things you can do for them is to pray for them.

Job 42:10 (New International Version)

10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Now, try not to only pray to receive reward. Try to put your friend above yourself; not judging, not condemning, but loving unconditionally.