Why Are You Scared To Be Different?

There's a line from a Lacrae song that asks "Why ya'll scared to be different?"

I've asked myself that question. For many years I was afraid to have an opinion or to step out and be different from everyone else. I enjoyed playing it safe. I didn't want to stand out and risk being criticized or being seen in a negative light.


I'm learning not to let fear get in the way of who God created me to be. Psalm 139 reminds me that I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. Joshua 1:9 commands me to be strong and courageous.  And as the saying goes, "Courage is fear that has said its prayers."

Being who God created me to be just might mean that I have to be different. The older I get the more I can see the blessing in being unique. After all, Christ was not like anyone else who'd ever walked the face of the earth. And my greatest desire is to live like Him.

So, ask yourself, "Why are you scared to be different?"

Praying for Lolita

Last week I had the opportunity to give my testimony regarding sexual abuse to the 320 female students at San Pedro High School on Ambergris Caye here in Belize.

That was the largest audience I've ever told that story to. Afterwards there were those who came up and briefly shared their stories with me.


I knew there would be some who would identify...statistics say that 1 in every 4 girls has been abused.

No matter where we have been in the world there have always been girls and women who share my story. And that breaks my heart.

Here in Belize we've also come across young teens and preteens who've been exploited by older men. I had been told that this is also an issue out there on the beautiful island where the high school is located.






Thinking about abuse and exploitation reminded me of this passage:

Excerpt from Lolita,
 by Vladimir Nabokov                         

"I'll die if you touch me," I said.  "You are sure you are not coming with me?  Is there no hope of your coming?  Tell me only this."

"No," she said.  "No, honey, no.

She had never called me honey before.

"No," she said, "it is quite out of the question.  I would sooner go back to Cue.  I mean-" She groped for words.  I supplied them mentally ("He broke my heart. You merely broke my life").

                                                                     

Honestly, it took me years to decide to read this book. Other books by Nabokov are not so difficult to read. Knowing that this book is about a middle aged man and his relationship with a 12 year old girl turned my stomach. As an abuse survivor, I didn't think I had the strength to make it through a book like this. I read it while we still lived in Russia. It was a difficult read. It broke my heart. It moved me to tears. It made me angry.

Vladimir Nabokov is quoted as saying:

Some people, and I am one of them, hate happy ends.
We feel cheated.  Harm is the norm.

This is so distressing to me.  Harm should never be the norm.

But, sometimes it is. Each week, here in Belize and all around the world, there are children and teens whose lives, hearts and spirits have been broken. Some of them are brought to their knees by their life circumstances. Others were abused or mistreated by someone who was supposed to care for them. These dear ones often struggle to conceive of a Power great enough to mend their lives, heal their hearts, replenish their spirits and redeem all of the suffering they have faced.

I wholeheartedly believe that healing can begin with a whispered prayer 
that calls to The Light, the God of All Comfort, our Healer and Redeemer.

Join with me in prayer for those who are still victims.

And please, please, remember the Lolitas of the world.  

Even to your old age

Her face drew me in...numerous lines reminiscent of wave after wave on the Arabian sea. Concerned eyes as intense as the sun. I find unexpected beauty in her presence.





She knows her products well. She is ready to discuss each one and show off its features.

Her pots are on the ground, close to the street, everything is dusty, grimy, but she wipes them down carefully to show them off for prospective buyers.  Hers is the first stall we go to and the last one we visit as we cross off the items on our shopping list.




Stooped over, with her saree tucked in to form a pair of pants of some sort,
she bends low to wrap the pots for us and we are grateful.
None of her wares are very expensive.

One pot sells for 6 rupees (about 9 cents).  We leave with three small pots. The next day we return for 75 more.  I wonder how many more years she will be on the side of the road, bent low, selling a pot or two at a time?



Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am He, I am He who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Isaiah 46:4

Behind the makeup and the smile

Behind the makeup and the smile what is really there?  There are days when I have a smile on face but my heart is heavy.  Proverbs 13:14 assures me that I am not the only one who does this.

At the Child Development Foundation I work with girls and women who've been abused and exploited in some fashion. And one of the myths about those who are being prostituted is that "they enjoy it or they wouldn't do it".  I cannot imagine anyone who would take delight in being used, violated, and demeaned day after day.  A woman being sexually exploited may be the one smiling and laughing to court her customers but that doesn't mean that she is not torn up and grieving her situation in life.

Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and rejoicing may end in grief.
Proverbs 13:14

The clown in the photo is standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.  She seemed to be happy.  I sure was happy and absolutely filled with gratitude for each and every moment of our time in Paris.  I didn't ask this street performer if she was genuinely happy.  But, never again will I assume that a smile and a laugh are sign of a joy-filled life.

May we let go of whatever mask we are wearing...
and may we find wholeness and compassion in Him.
And may those being exploited discover a way of escape
and find safety and comfort in His loving arms.

Grace Wins

Tragedy.
Chaos.
Death.

Sin causes people to lash out in hatred with horrible senseless acts of violence.

But, in the end, God’s grace and order wins; godlessness loses. 
Psalm 10:16 
The Message

We need to pray for the end to come soon.
And we need to breathe.

Breathe in His grace.

Breathe out faith.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Just breathe.

Grace wins. 

3 Things You Need to Know About You!

Are you one of those people who has a hard time accepting compliments?

Do you see the good or even the great in others but not in yourself?

God wants you to be all that He designed you to be. If you are one of His children then stand up tall, hold your head up high, and walk in the calling He has for you.





And know that:

1. You are beautiful.

You were handcrafted by the Creator of the Universe. 

2. You are unique.

You were designed on purpose by God for a purpose.

3. You are incredible.

You are capable of more than you realize.

You are beautiful, you are unique, you ARE incredible!
Posted by Alida

Hallelujah Anyhow!

Have you ever had to pray and praise your way through a hard time?

That's what Paul and Silas teach us to do in Acts 16:16-26.

In fact their worship time was so strong it caused an earthquake powerful enough to open the doors and make everyone's shackles fall off!







Today I'm speaking at a worship workshop and my topic is:

Broken Along the Way

As I was preparing my notes a song that my Aunt Betty used to sing back in the day at our little church in Wichita, Kansas came to mind. It's called 'Hallelujah Anyhow'. I believe that God is able to redeem our circumstances. He can replace our doubts, fears, and frustrations with love, compassion, and gratitude, And He can refine us by polishing our rough edges to make us shine like stars in the darkness so that we reflect His glory. I'm still working on praying and praising my way through pain and heartache. And this lesson from Paul and Silas and this song are helping me along this path.

Give it a listen clicking below...I hope it inspires you as much as it does me!

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

Are you carrying around toxic emotions like guilt, shame, anger, self-loathing, envy, resentment, frustration, or regret?

Try cultivating 
an attitude
of gratitude! 

Gratitude can reduce our desire to make social comparisons. Instead of carrying around resentment, try to value and appreciate the accomplishments of others.


Research says that:

Gratitude increases our capacity to have empathy for others.

Gratitude reduces aggression.

Gratitude may even help you sleep better!  Try spending just 15 minutes making a list of a few of life’s gifts before bed, and you may sleep better and longer.

Gratitude reduces stress and may also play a role in overcoming trauma.


My thoughts are:

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude is about expanding one's perspective of God and of the world and of self.

Whether you call it counting blessings or practicing gratitude, taking note of the gifts that God places in your life each day is part of living a lifestyle of worship.

Why not try giving thanks for three things each day? Take note of all the blessings large and small that come your way. Ask God to show you glimpses of His hand at work in the world. Pray daily prayers of thanksgiving.  Make this part of your countdown to celebrate Thanksgiving. Go beyond Thanksgiving and try it for 100 days or for a full year.

The benefits of a grateful spirit are waiting for you!

What Have You Thanked God for Today?
Including today you have 29 days left in November to express your gratitude! So what have you thanked God for today?!