My Path Leads Home

I saw a winding road that was edged with trees of green. Just above the road and trees were clouds unlike any I've seen. The road twisted and turned and made me think about my Christian walk. Twisting and winding up to mountains and down through valleys. All through the crazy

winding road, Jesus was there with me. As I look above the road the clouds all puffy and white; yet dark and thin. It was like the clouds were in layers and there was a gap between the upper and lower. Beyond the clouds was the glow of sunshine. Promising and beckoning. All I could imagine was heaven, just beyond the clouds. The floor of heaven is the clouds we see above us.
So many mysteries lie waiting just above. So close I want to reach out an touch; but so far that only Jesus can bridge the gap. This is what I imagine I'll see when I meet my maker. The clouds will lower themselves into a grand staircase. Jesus will be waiting at the top for me. I'll run up to Him. Home. All this came to mind because of a winding road and some clouds.

Tiffany Raye-September, 2010

Wearing My Heart on My... Hand?

"Are you married?"

"No, I'm not."

"So why do you have a ring on your wedding finger?"

"Umm.. well, I uh..."

This is a conversation I've had on many an occasion with the curious first graders I volunteer with. Such a simple question I could answer so many ways. Usually I answer with something like: "I wear it on my ring finger because my future prince is that important to me."

However, here is a more elaborate version:

My purity ring represents not only a promise I made to my future Prince Charming(guys: Cinderella), but, in a way it also represents my heart. Although it has met some hard times, and has gotten scratched and bruised; it's still all there. Whole. Here's a mental picture: if I were to give in to temptation now it would be like cutting a piece of my ring out and throwing it away. Cutting a piece of my ring out would be foolish simply because it would become sharp and poke at me. Just like cutting a piece of my heart out would be foolish because it too would become sharp and hurt at me. To be completely honest, giving your heart to someone you think is "the one" at seventeen is a silly thing to do: even sillier when you change your mind and re-give what's left of your heart to the next "the one" two weeks later.

Think about what kind of reaction you would get if you took the piece of your ring that you cut out and gave it to the same person you gave the piece of your heart to. Would they value it and say, "Oh thanks! I'll treasure it forever!"

Or would they say, "Wow, how useless." and simply throw it away. Even though it's not all that meaningful to them, it sure hurts you.

If you asked me, "What if I've already given away these pieces? Can't I get them back?"

I would have to tell you no. You can't get them back. And even if you did, all you'd have is pieces. However, in all this gloominess there is hope. God came to the earth and died on the cross representing a heart/body so beaten and cut it was unrecognizable. By doing this, He built a bridge to God-the Master Jeweler/Heart Mender. Although God won't bestow on you a new heart, He will help you put all the pieces back together (because in Him you are made new.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 . But only if you're willing to give up control and let Him do His perfect work. He will also help your future Prince Charming/Cinderella look past your past, and love you for the precious person you are. If this person doesn't want to be with you because of your past, he doesn't really love you. If this is the case, you should wait patiently until God sees it right to introduce you to you real Prince/Princess. "I charge you brethren, do not awaken love until it so desires." This is so important, God wrote it not once, not twice, but three times in Song of Solomon.

I pray that my ramblings mean something to you; and if you read this all the way through, thank you. :) If you ever have a topic you'd like me to write about, leave a comment!! And if you don't want me to know who's asking, write to me anonymously!

In Him,

Tiffany Raye

Beautiful Creator

Do you think you are beautiful? Whether you say "yes" or "no" I have something to tell you.

If you said yes, then I think you have great self esteem and that's great! Just don't let it go to your head. Make sure to remember to give the credit for being beautiful to your Creator and all is well.

However, if you said no, I have much more to tell you. But this verse sums it up: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Did you know that when you say "I'm not beautiful" or "I'm ugly" you are calling God a liar and ugly. Not only that but you hurt His feelings; He created you BY HAND! He didn't just throw together a bunch of features and say "that'll do." He created you with love and care, giving attention to every little thing. God is more beautiful and more perfect than anything else. Ever. He created you in His image which means that you are beautiful too. When someone gives you a compliment don't counter back with "You're just saying that" or "Well, what do you know." Take the compliment and send it to God where it belongs.

Here's a video I like that goes with my post.

I hope my little ramblings gave you a little food for thought, and that you might appreciate yourself and your God even more.

In Him,

Tiffany Raye