Kristel's birthday

Yesterday, we celebrated Kristel's birthday. Kristel is one of my Victory Group members (bible study group) in the office. Let me tell you that I admire this woman so much. I know about her struggles, but through it all, she remains strong and holds on to the hope that change will come through her God.  Happy birthday, Kristel! You are beautiful and you are loved!

our birthday surprise

close-up of kristel's mini birthday cake with makeshift paper dolls

office VG (me, digi, clarice, eden, kristel) +Ram!
super crazy discussion and laugh trip while it was heavily raining outside :P

I honestly didn't expect that Kristel -- and any of these people for that matter -- would become my friends.  But when God brings people together, the differences give way to something much much stronger.

*thanks to eden and ate at yellow cab for the pix ^_^

Refined Woman

Refined woman,

Refined woman you are.

You laugh quietly,

and all the world falls still.

There is a tenderness in you

that makes him want to slay dragons

and move mountains.

Refined woman,

Refined woman you are.

I wish I was more like you --

gentle and beautiful.

he would fill my hollowness with stars,

if only I were

the Refined woman,

Refined woman you are.

But see,

there is a new fire within me,

tempering me with an incomprehensible love.

I am quieted into a dance

that knows satisfaction

in One Man’s arms.

In Him I am not you,

but I am Woman --

I am His
and He is mine.

I am refined.

---------

This poem is inspired by my friend Shen who is being refined by the greatest love. 

Shen commented during one bible study about how we were "lacking in poise" unlike other girls. This made me think about the times i  felt insecure that i wasn't like other women. i laugh loudly, i'm not afraid of going off alone to who knows where, and i spend on books when i know i should be buying a new set of clothes or going to the salon for a haircut. Sometimes i want to pray to God to make me like the "refined" women I see guys always fall for. But then i realize, God has made ALL women special. We are captivating in our uniqueness, and there is no one that walks the world who is like me (thank God! haha).  Our beauty and "gentle spirit" primarily comes from the peace of knowing that our identity lies in Jesus who is the lover of our souls. I made this poem for all women out there who are struggling with feelings of insecurity. I want you to know that in your struggles, you are being refined by your Maker. I want you to know that are loved.

"This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.'" ~ Zechariah 13:9

Dealing with change

I can't adjust easily to changes. I guess it's because I form attachments slowly yet deeply. These past  days, I've been feeling as if the people I love most dearly have been changing so much. It scared me to feel that I'm being left behind. But a discussion with my sister one afternoon reminded me that it's normal for people to change. We can't be swept away by our constantly changing feelings.

If you feel the same way I do, I encourage you to celebrate the positive changes in your loved ones' lives and to mourn with them when situations make a turn for the worst. Even if people change, stay true. Rather than create walls to protect yourself from the pain of change, love deeply. Don't take people for granted, because you never know when they'll have to say goodbye.

Most of all, remember to fix your eyes on Jesus. Through Him, you can hold on to the hope that the big and important words -- commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, love -- remain big and important. He remains faithful even if you are faithless. He loves you in your confusion, pain, sadness, fear, and distress until you can be still and attain a peace that transcends all understanding.  Even in change, you can rely on a steady anchor and a steadfast love.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God  who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, ~ Deuteronomy 7:9

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;  his mercies never come to an end; they are new  every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23

if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. ~ 2 Timothy 2:13