We stood in her kitchen talking when she made a remark aimed straight for my jugular. White knuckled, my hands grasped the countertop so I wouldn’t shake from the hit.
Sometimes words speak just as loud as actions. Words can dice a heart into a thousand pieces and no matter how you curl inward, you can’t hold them all.
When I drove home later that afternoon, I watched as the road turned to liquid and I felt myself travel down a too familiar street:
A good friend: F
Kristen’s grown-up report card: F, F, F.
My how quickly my mind gets lost in a dangerous part of town, the part of town where voices sounding like Darth Vader and Voldemort stir up trouble. But as I pull into the garage, I tell myself:
Ya know, Kristen, you don’t have to let Darth Vader be the boss of you.
That’s true, but I’m going to need more than platitudes to get me on the right road again. So I get out my sword and say the Word out loud,
“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” ~2 Corinthians 10:5-6 The Message
When I rest all my thoughts in Jesus, I find myself in a much better place.
Jesus is alive and in Him is my joy and I remember the purpose of living a Christ-filled life is to walk in the power of His resurrection. So dang it, I’m gonna walk like I mean it. I repent when I need to repent but I’m not defined by my sins or other people’s opinions, good or bad.
I took this picture of my sons’ Darth Vader Easter eggs just before he carefully but swiftly knocked them into his Easter basket. One quick movement with his hand and they were gone. So when I see this picture, I am reminded how with one swift move of my hand, I can open the Word and quiet the voices.
And surprise: Darth Vader really isn’t the boss of me.
If you are sharing your own surprise story behind a photo, here are some things to remember:
1. New to link-up’s or have questions? Read this first.
2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving her a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue.
3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other.
Next week’s prompt: You pick the surprise prompt! Yup, write about whatever your creative heart desires, just make sure your post includes the element of surprise. Choose from any of the topics we’ve covered: a surprise answered prayer, friendship, adventure, appreciation, mistake, apology, confidence, goodbye, special place, or a photo. Or you may choose something brand new, whatever the Lord puts on your heart. I look forward to reading how your own unexpected surprise story increased your joy or made a difference in your life!
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Kristen,
I did not post a picture of what drove my post this week…because we have all seen far too many pictures in the media of the evil and hatred in this world. I was surprised by the power of the words God unleashed in me in response to what I have been seeing and reading all around me. In response to your post…I, too, have listened to the condemning voice of Satan and have had to wield God’s word as a sword so that he would not take me under. It’s a battle we face on a daily basis. Thanks for sharing your wisdom on this subject!
Blessings friend,
Bev
AMEN!!! So quickly this morning my mind went to a wrong place…the whole process of getting dressed in the morning can throw me off…but I arrived at the office and pulled out my Jesus Calling devotional and read, “Just as a spinning ballerina must keep returning her eyes to a give point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me.”
You said it so well…”When I rest all my thoughts in Jesus, I find myself in a much better place.”
Thank you, Kristen. Happy “Out of the Blue” Thursday!
By the way, I had my first Military Support Ministry meeting at church this week (my husband and I are leading this ministry) and I shared your post, “20 Sure-Fire Ways to Love Your Military Neighbor” I’m praying God uses our ministry to have on impact within our church and community!
I’m praying the same thing, Beth. And bravo to you for stepping out in faith to bless your military community in this way!
these words are PERFECT for me as i head to work this morning….