Abigail and Dolley is a record of the ponderings and interests of a Modern Woman. From faith, to hobbies, to political and social commentary; I share with you whatever is brewing around in my brain at the time. Thanks for reading!
Whenever I stumble upon a Christian writer, I try to determine early on what they believe, this is prudent. Here at Abigail and Dolley we believe in the inerrancy of the Scripture (Protestant), that the word of God is inspired and infallible, that all Scripture is useful in the teaching and reproofing of the people. We don't pick and choose which Scriptures we like, we take the Word as it was given to us. We are pretribulation Rapture dispensationalist and believe in a literal Second Coming and Millennial Reign. We believe in crucifixion of the flesh and reject the tenants of the Word of Faith heresy. We believe the age of Grace is rapidly coming to an end at that the Church will be called home to meet the Lord soon, from there a 7 year Tribulation will descend upon the World. Maranantha.
I agree with Pastor Ross Rhoads who proclaimed one Sunday that he liked the name Holy Ghost vs. the more modern Holy Spirit. "The Ghost" he proclaimed in a loud booming voice! "The Ghost": mysterious, powerful, and evoking reverential fear in the Believer and terror in the heart of the damned. The Third person of the Trinity, the Holy Ghost is at once the most familiar to a believer and the most unknown.
The Holy Ghost
The Wind, the Fire, the Omniscient Presence of God, the Helper. The sealing of the Christian with the physical presence of the Holy Ghost is a mystery most will never contemplate. If at some point along this journey, you have believed in your head and accepted with your heart, the sealing of the Holy Ghost is the completion of your faith.
Pray - Holy Spirit, I ask you to come into my heart. Help me to live the life you want me to live. Convict me of my sins and give me the power I need to walk with you in this dark world.
Abigail and Dolley readers one of the hardest things I have ever experienced was unemployment. The emotions, the fear, the anger, the embarrassment, the financial implications, the isolation, and the sheer upheaval can be overwhelming. The subject is so broad, dozens of blogs could be written addressing any number of subjects from finances to finding a new job to dealing with the stress; consider this blog a strong arm around your shoulders, a warm cup of coffee, and some advise from somebody who has been through it.
Have a plan everyday, something you are going to accomplish and only focus on your goal for the day. It could be something like this: Prayer and Scripture of the Day, Exercise, Clean the Bathroom, and Grocery Shop.
Another day may focus on a job search item so it could be: Prayer and Scripture of the Day, Exercise, Fill out Unemployment Application, and Update Resume.
Batch your job related days and do not look for a job everyday.
Insure that your plans fill the "work day". The work day was brutal. I seemed to relax after 5:00 because I was used to being home and the "work day" was over. My tough times were in the day.
When some well meaning soul asks you "What are you going to do?", you can reply, "Well, all I know is that today I am cleaning out the garage and that's about all I've got right now. I will figure out tomorrow, tomorrow."
I don't accept help comfortably or well. Fiercely independent and self sufficient, "By myself!" was one of my first sentences. I have never been still. My family tells me that while I was a loving child I would not sit on anyone's lap and cuddle, unless they had a book. I wanted my own apartment at 13 and constructed, what I believed to be, an extremely compelling argument for the merits of such an arrangement. I have accepted as little help as possible my entire life. I prefer to be the giver: the big sister, the loving wife, the generous mother, the benevolent boss, the helpful daughter, the faithful friend. Those are roles I prefer to play.
My colleagues gave me a baby shower before my son was born and I do not know if I have ever been so uneasy in my entire life. A faithful colleague commented, "Dolley is not used to having people do for her, look how uncomfortable she is!" Perhaps that was the first time I ever registered that thought and for me, it was a source of pride.
God broke me in 2011 and in most ways I am still broken. There is a beautiful country song called, "Glass" that resonates with me. The refrain says, "We are fragile, we are human, we are shaped by the light we let through us, we break fast, we are glass." In spite of the brokenness, I am still not comfortable asking for help.
Recently, the Lord has shown me I was not made to be self sufficient. Today, He revealed that I am even uncomfortable receiving from Him. My prayers are often prayers of mercy; I ask Him to take things from me but not DO things for me. I am under such intense spiritual attack at this point in my life, I am humbled to ask for help. I can not walk this path alone, I can not pick myself up when I stumble, I have to hold my hand up and take the help that is offered.
One of the most profound talents of our time was the singer Rich Mullins. He walked a very deep spiritual path and I identify with him. His song, If I Stand, followed me on my walk today and I realize that bruised and battered as I am no longer capable of standing, so I will fall on the grace.
Posts
