Tag: quinnterested

Dream Big: A Chat w/ Margaret Tant (& family)

Dream

Hello, friends!

Welcome to our newest blog series: Dream Big!

Each week of the series, we’ll get to hear from someone in my life who…
1. Has a dream
2. Is actively pursuing that dream

We’ll also hear what they have to say on their relationships with Christ, and on the relationship between God & their dreams.

I really hope we all learn from these fabulous people.
(I might be *slightly* biased, but I think they are indeed fabulous.)

 

. . .

 

This week’s interviewee is Margaret Tant.

Margaret is a very dear sister-in-Christ to me. We’ve been close friends for about 3-4 years now, and she is such an inspirational, joyful blessing to have in my life.
This was a super last-minute interview, but I’m so glad I got to interview her!

You can check her out on Margaret’s website,
Margaret’s iMDB page,
or on Amazon in Remember the Goal.

 

If I may be so bold (I mean, you literally put this in bold, so that doesn’t seem like a problem for you, Q), please stay until the end. We had some very special guests “hijack” the interview, and their responses are quite good.

 

I love this family.

 

Margaret Tant
Margaret as Rebecca Shackelford in Remember the Goal

Setting the scene: We’re sitting in comfy chairs in Margaret’s living room.
Two very active on-lookers/commentators (namely, Margaret’s 14 and 8-year old sisters) join us.
I’m playing my daily Spotify mix in the background.
It’s a lively time to be alive.

 

Quinnterested: What’s your dream?

Margaret: Pursuing film, something to do with music, and [to] write a book someday.

 

Quinnterested: How do you feel about those dreams?

Margaret: Really excited. I always have wanted to do stuff in politics, but, the more acting I’ve done, I realize that that might be my dream, more than politics.

 

Quinnterested: Why?

Margaret: It’s just something about singing and acting [that] is freeing–it’s liberating. This is so cliche, but you just can express yourself in a way that you can’t with anything else.

 

Quinnterested: Why do you think you gravitate towards those creative outlets?

Margaret: Again, it’s cliche, but I like telling stories and being able to recreate characters in my own unique way. Rather than picturing how a certain actor would portray it, I want to portray it in my own way.
Sometimes acting is not acting. I’m learning how to truly act and respond in a way that’s authentic to yourself. Don’t think about how Chris Hemsworth might read this script–think about how you read it.

 

Quinnterested: How have you seen God open doors for your dreams?

Margaret: Obviously the first big role ever was RTG (Remember the Goal), and that was honestly a God-thing, because it honestly just fell in my lap. I was busy, and my friend just texted me about the audition, and I was like, “I’ll audition.” …I didn’t think I’d get it. That was honestly the biggest door that opened, and I think I also realized my passion for [acting].
And, since then, [another open door is] just having good people around you and a great network who care about you as an actor–my agent is constantly giving me tips.

 

Quinnterested: How do you take steps to pursue your dreams?

Margaret: I submit for everything I can find that seems good. I use social media a lot to navigate all that. You have to always be on top of it and seek [opportunities] out. 

 

Quinnterested: How do you find the balance between pursuing acting jobs and letting God lead?

Margaret: I feel like it’s really hard to hear [God leading], unless there are certain circumstances where you can see that. If I got the opportunity to do a film but there were scenes that I wouldn’t want to portray, that would probably be my boundary.

 

Quinnterested: How do you draw those boundaries? 

Margaret: I mean, gosh. I wouldn’t want to portray anything that goes against the Bible. It has to line up with biblical principles, and there’s no compromising on that. But that doesn’t always mean just being in the Christian film industry, because I think you can make an even bigger impact in Hollywood.

 

Quinnterested: What impact do you want to make?

Margaret: Just a positive, uplifting impact. I want to speak truth.

 

Quinnterested: Tell me more about the book.

Margaret: Good question. I’ve always wanted to write a book of some sort. I don’t think it would be a biography…*Margaret inserts straight-forward comment about how she thinks her life is, apparently, boring (note: it’s not)*…but maybe about an opportunity I had, or about how something impacted me in a certain way. I don’t know what it would be on. *Margaret continues to brainstorm* Or maybe a devotional.

 

Quinnterested: Has anyone ever discouraged you from pursuing your dreams?

Margaret: Honestly, we’re all our own biggest critics. I haven’t vocalized that dream [of writing a book] to a ton of people, because I know it’s a dream that will probably happen later, because I’m not focused on that right now.
I don’t think I’ve ever gotten flack from people. But, I will acknowledge it’s not an easy process–making your dreams come alive. You can’t really listen to other outside voices–you just kinda have to go for it and ignore those other people.

 

Quinnterested: What one word/sentence would you share with someone who’s afraid of pursing their dream?

Margaret: We’ve all been afraid at some point of doing something or starting something new. You can either live in that fear for the rest of your life, or just go for your dreams right now, [saying] “If I fail, I fail.” I don’t even like saying it’s failing. Failing is just [part of] the journey. I would just say go for it. We’re all scared of stuff…don’t be afraid of failing. If you are, you’re not gonna go through with what you’re gonna do.

 

Quinnterested: Anything else?

Margaret: One more thing about fear: Once you push through your fear, it’s very liberating. There’s a lot of freedom on the other side of that. If you get through one fear, your confidence level goes up.

 

Quinnterested: How does your faith help you be fearless?

Margaret: Most people who are afraid to fail. But your identity is not in your failures, or in what you’re trying to do. Your identity is in Christ. You fail everyday; That’s inevitable. I think [it’s important to] just realize that, at the end of the day, your failures don’t define you.

 

. . .

 

At this point, Margaret’s sisters were pretty much answering every question while Margaret was.
So we thought it’d be a good time to turn the tables and hear from them.

 

Quinnterested: Anything you have to add?

Lauren (14): My dream is to become an EMT, just because I love it and I want to help the world in this way. I don’t care if I’m famous or not. I’m not very grossed out by the sight of blood.
In the future, I think there’ll be more robots working than people. I could totally like go against everything–how they’re going to change the world. If people right now pursue their dreams, some people have dreams that they can actually help the world stay how it is now.
When you want to pursue your dreams, it will help the world, no matter what you want to do. If you want to become a health inspector at a factory–that can really help the world. Do it. Pursue your dream, no matter what it is.
*Spoken from the heart* (Lily Kate, Margaret’s 8 year-old sister, sarcastically comments)

Lauren (cont.): Whenever I have a dream, I go for that dream. I don’t let anything stop me.
Yeah, well, you’ll see. If I fail, *I don’t think I have yet* Lauren matter-of-factly comments, I will start again, and then keep trying until I do it.
Like Thomas Jefferson with the lightbulb.
*Wait, did he do the lightbulb?* We then pause and have an anxious discussion about who invented the lightbulb.

Lauren (cont.): He tried 100 times, I think, and then, on the 99th time, he got it right. Look at us now: We’d probably lived in a pitch black world. He literally changed the world. If I stick with my dreams, I could change the world.

*Lily Kate (LK), who, technically, was promised an interview before Lauren was, decides to add her questions to the interview mix*

LK: What would your dream be if you could do it at home?

Lauren: Homeschool your kids

 

LK: Can you go to private school?

Lauren: Yeah, but they’re still not the best place.

 

LK: What inspired you to be an EMT?

Lauren: Well, I really like the medical field, and I’ve seen a lot of shows where the nurses are stressed out–I can deal with that stress. I could totally operate surgery. Of course, I’d be scared if the patient I’m operating on died, but I wouldn’t be stressed out–I’d be calm the whole time. Calm is way better than stress. Calm is when you’re thinking about what you need to do and it’s good. Stress is when you’re like thinking about what could go wrong. It’s not the best thing to have on your mind when you’re doing a really serious surgery.
Obviously I can’t go work in a hospital right now, but, being an EMT right now—you don’t have to be a trained nurse to do it. If you’re in a situation where you see someone who got in a really bad car accident and you can fix that, and the ambulance won’t get there in time and you know they’re gonna die, helping them could either save their life or not do anything. Like, I could be doing EMT work now–hospitals and ambulances are not everywhere.

 

We snuck in Lily Kate’s interview before she went to take a bath (and to belt loudly, radiating passionate lyrics from the second floor to the rest of the house, while preparing to bath).

 

Quinnterested: What’s your dream?

Lily Kate (8): To be a famous gymnast. I do [think I can pursue my dream]. Well, I taught myself how to a cartwheel at four and a round off at four.

 

*Lauren has now taken over asking similar interview questions, so I can focus on typing…or just because she wanted to…Either way, I’ll take it.*

 

Lauren: How have you taken steps to pursue your dream? [And maybe another question?]

Lily Kate: Right now, I just want to practice it so whenever I am famous, I can be really good and not mess up. Also, I’m trying to save up [money] to turn our toy room into a gym room.

 

Lauren: [Something about how being a gymnast will affect LK’s life]

Lily Kate: It’ll affect me by a lot, because you can win a lot of stuff, and I like winning.

 

Lauren: What do you like about it?

Lily Kate: I really like it because it’s risk-taking, which I love doing, but it’s also safe, because you have mats, but whenever you move up you don’t, so that’s the risk-taking part.

 

Lauren: What else do you like to do?

Lily Kate: Besides gymnastics, probably swinging. *When Lauren critiqued* [And] finger-knitting. 

 

*It’s a little spicy. Got a little kick.* Lily Kate comments on the chicken she’s eating on a fork like a popsicle right now.

 

Lily Kate (cont.): I want to prove to my sister that I’m actually a good decorator for cupcakes.

*I believe that you’re good, but just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean that accidents aren’t gonna happen. If I have this whole blueprint in my mind, I get very–*

*–protective*

*–protective about it…*

 

*Back to the interview*

 

Lauren: When you pursue your dream, what is your end goal? Gymnastics is not really life-saving. What are you gonna do with your dream when you live it out?

Lily Kate: Whenever I live it out, I will probably go into more baking than gymnastics. Just because that’s like the only thing that’s keeping me good. I wanna do baking with my free time, because whenever you do gymnastics and you’re in competitions, you have to do a lot of traveling. If I have the time i will probably bake, but it just depends on how many kids you’ll have. Because, if I’m away, then I don’t have to take care of them.

 

(Inspired by Lily Kate’s matter-of-fact comment on kids, I extended the interview a little to hear about another dream these three sisters all have.)

 

Quinnterested: This is a little off-topic, but you all want to get married. What do you look for in a future husband?

Lily Kate: Um, funny. And nice. Cute. Someone I like. *Squeaky giggles* 

*Good qualities* Margaret comments

Lily Kate (cont.): Someone that I can have in common stuff with.

 

Lauren: You don’t want to have too many things in common to where all you do is the things you love. You do want to kinda go off-road and try new things. For example, I want to be a mom, bake, and be an EMT. If he likes other things, then I can like choose to go along with those, if I want, but they’re just more options.

 

Quinnterested: Other qualities?

Lauren: Sarcastic, like me. But not too sarcastic, where you’re not even sure if he’s being sarcastic or not. I am pretty sarcastic most of the time, but sometimes I am serious. Funny….
Definitely a Christian, but some people are like super Christian; Literally all they do is spend their entire day with this routine. We are given a world to enjoy, and we should actually use the things we are given for praising God instead of all the time praying. 

 

I think the best way to end this most-interesting interview is to leave you with an original (at least, that’s what we’ve been told) quote from—you guessed it—Lily Kate.

“Wishes come true, but not all of us live the dream.”
-Lily Kate, 8 years old

Feel free to do with that what you will. Just remember, you’re on this earth for a reason, and God has given/will give you everything you need to do what He has for you to accomplish.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

 

 

What’s your dream? Comment below with how you’re pursuing it!

 

 

Resurrection: Breakthrough Movie & Easter

Breakthrough movie poster
Photo from breakthroughmovie.com.

 

Boy died.

His mom prayed.

Boy came back to life.

 

That’s almost precisely what was written on high schooler John Smith’s medical paper.

Not back in Jesus’ time. (But maybe I don’t need to clarify that…”John Smith” doesn’t have the most biblical-ring to it, does it?)

Note: That sort of thing did happen in Jesus’ time of walking on the earth, and you can read about it more in Mark 5. It’s awesome.

But, yeah, this John Smith story was 4 years ago. In 2015.

John Smith is now alive and is living for Jesus.

But, in 2015, he was dead for 45 minutes.

And Jesus, who heard the prayers of one dedicated mother, brought the boy back to life.

 

It’s so cool to see a movie about modern-day miracles come out on THE MOST miraculous anniversary of all: the weekend we celebrate what we, as followers of the Way/Jesus Christ, base our faith on:

The resurrection of the Savior of the world

 

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah indeed.

 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:18-21

 

Go see Breakthrough if it’s playing near you. It’s a vital reminder of the preciousness of life and the power of Jesus and prayer.

Oh, and maybe bring Kleenex.

 

I’m thankful to serve and celebrate a miracle-working Savior who rose from the grave, just like He said He would. (Mark 8:31)

How about you?

 

 

 

No Matter What

Here’s a story you prolly don’t hear everyday.

(That’s a sure-fire way to begin a blog post, innit?)

What is this…language? So much happening in so few words.

 

Today, we’re diving into the story of two men who were imprisoned and then, suddenly, divinely set free.

Open your heart and your minds, friends. This is a good one.

 

Setting the scene:

Timing: Not long after Jesus died

Location: Philippi (Greece)

Picture a little girl. She’s enslaved to human masters, but she’s also enslaved to a demon that allows her to predict the future.

One day, several guys who believed in Jesus, two of whom were Paul and Silas, were walking to the place of prayer. The little girl started following them, saying, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”

At this point, the Bible does a little time hop and jumps immediately to several days later, when our little possessed gal is still proclaiming this truth about our boys.

The Bible (Acts 16) says Paul “became so troubled” that he, in Jesus’ all-powerful Name, commanded the demon to leave the girl.

“In the Name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!”
At that moment the spirit left her.
Acts 16:18

That’s a pretty awesome work of God, right?

And that’s not even the part we’re going to really focus on today–that’s just for context.

 

So, apparently this girl’s demonic power was a big selling point for her (can you even imagine? That sentence was so awful to even write.)
Important enough for her “owners” to get super ticked off at Paul and Silas for taking away her “power”.

So much compassion, amiright? #causallydemonfree

 

Long story short, our disciples end up…

getting thrown into prison.

in an inner cell.

with their feet fastened in the stocks.

 

And, when Cinderella was about to be turned into a pumpkin in some other dimension (translation: “Around midnight”), Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

(Can I just say I really like the details included in Acts 16? K, thanks.)

Our S&P boys (S + P = Silas and Paul…keep up, yo) were letting their bright, inner lights shine for all around them to see.

Regardless of their probably still-bleeding skin (see Acts 16:22-23), these men chose, no matter what, to remember God. And to take advantage of their situation by ministering to the people around them while praising God.

 

Love it.

 

A super cool thing happens next:

 

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.
Acts 16:26

 

I know I continue to keep you in suspense for “the part” or “the moment”…

Well, get ready, because here it comes!

The prison has, miraculously, just fallen apart.
Literally, all the prisoners were as free to go as…dementors.

giphy-1
(That was cheap, I know. But you know I had to fit Prison Mike in here somewhere.)

 

What do our praising-God boys do?

Well, the camera actually shifts to the jailer—-the man who was “commanded to guard them carefully.” (Acts 16:23)
This is a great day for the prisoners.

Not so much for the jailer. Right?

I mean, his job is literally to keep people in jail.

Granted, the prison breaking open was out of Mr. Jailer’s control.

But who’s about to get blamed for it?

giphy-2
Yep, that’s right:
Mr. Jailer.

(Also, S/O to me for fitting in two *not-super-well-placed* The Office gifs. That’s a new record.)
(*cue “Celebrate” song*)

 

K, time to take the *attempted* humor down a notch. This next part warrants our serious attention.

 

The jailer knows he’ll have to take the fall for the jail break. For him, that probably means death. And his pride tells him it’d be better to end his life before his boss does.

He’s about to do just that when he hears a voice.

He squints through the probable dust and sees the two biggest culprits to whom he was assigned.

They’re still there.

Yes, their doors are open. They most definitely could’ve left.

But they’re still there.

The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Acts 16:27-34

 

Paul and Silas were still there.

Because, no matter what, the thing Jesus had planned for them was more important than their own agenda. Even if their own agenda looked pretty unselfishly like leaving a dirty jail to go tend to their wounds.

But that’s not what God had planned.

The jailer’s life was more important to God.

And Paul and Silas chose to honor that.

 

God sees you. Whether you feel more like Paul or more like Mr. Jailer, your life is insaaaaaanely important to Him.

Why?

Well, for tofu’s sake, He invented you! You didn’t exist before He drew you up on His perfect sketch pad.

Believers are His masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10)

You were even created in His image. (Genesis 1:27)

Did you know that both Paul and the jailer were equally loved by God?

 

 

Let’s jump back to the story and see what Paul and Silas do.

When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Acts 16:35-40

Did you catch that ending? Paul and Silas (is it worth ADHD-ly mentioning that basically every time I write “Paul and” I end up writing “Paula”? #themoreyouknow) were Roman citizens, which means they were entitled to a fair trial, not just jail time.

However, Paul and Silas went to jail.

Maybe because they knew it’d be an epic opportunity to praise God, and to see God at work in a little, grimy jail with a lost jailer.

 

Reminds me a little of the lost sheep parable Jesus tells in Matthew 18. One sheep in the one hundred total sheep was so.important. that the shepherd went to find it.

We are the one.

God is our shepherd.

You are loved. And I am, too.

Rest in that today, friend.

 

When have you felt God go “out of His way” to search for you? #mysearchandrescue

 

 

 

 

He’s Still There

Plane window

We’ve talked about me + turbulence, right?

For the sake of reminders…

I’m a conditionally good flyer. Meaning, I love flying when you can see cool things beneath and around the outside of the plane.

My “aww, flying’s the best”-ness stops when we hit a rough patch in the air (isn’t that a weird concept? The air has…bumps? #science) and I can’t see what’s happening outside.

Hence the “conditionally”.

Turbulence & flying in a giant cloud = me not in my most peaceful state

In October of 2017, my parents and a dear friend and I went on a trip to NYC. It was such a blessing! We got to eat some delicious food, see a couple of beautiful Broadway shows, and just enjoy that crazy city. Mega shoutout to my parents for making that happen. ❤

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On the flight back, we hit some rough air.

 

Rough to the extent that I think the pilot instructed the flight attendants to stop serving snacks.

Not my fav announcement.

My friend and I were both a little nervous as we looked out the window.

The next part is a little blurry in my and my friend’s memory, but here’s the basics of what happened next:

We watched through the window as our plane approached the dark clouds that were threatening our ride’s peacefulness. They were just looming near where our plane was headed, like bullies in a school hallway, intentionally blocking the door to our next class. (I do have confidence that the metaphors will eventually get better. #maybenexttime)

Then, all of a sudden, we saw a rainbow.

Not a full-blown, double rainbow that looks extraordinary in pictures.

But it was there.

And it was our rainbow.

I believe God put it there for us. Maybe for others, but definitely for us.

Because, when the flight got bumpy and our hearts started beating a little more wildly, that rainbow showed up.

And the coolest part?

When those bully clouds grew in size and looked like they were about to chew up our lil’ plane,

the rainbow grew, too.

 

*applause break for God*

My friend’s thoughts:

It was like this moment of “I’m not in control of this situation right now, but God is and I can put my faith in Him and know He is with us always and His promises are true.”

In the midst of the scary, and the darkness, and that creepy feeling that something bad’s about to go down…

God was with us. Hebrews 13:5.

The darkness couldn’t hide the light. John 1:5.

Because the light came for us and stayed right by our side.

 

. . .

 

Let’s dig into this rainbow dealio real fast.

In 2019, the year I’m writing this, rainbows have a few meanings.

In this blog, here’s what they mean:

In Genesis 9:16, God used a rainbow (fun fact: I think it was the first recorded rainbow. #knowledge) to symbolize a promise He made to never again flood the earth like He did in Noah’s time. Remember that whole Noah’s Ark story?

It really happened.

But, the rainbow symbolized that it’ll never happen again.

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

Genesis 9:16

In other words…

The Rainbow: A physical sign of God’s faithfulness.

 

. . .

 

I haven’t been in many dark seasons. Thankfully.

But the darkest season I’ve been in was, honestly, terrible.

I’m not comparing it to anyone else’s “valley” season. Your story and your seasons are your own; I’m just coming from where I was, and maybe you can meet me there from where you are/were.

The point is, the season was, for me, dark indeed.

But right when I was at the point of truly needing something from God to pull me through, God showed up.

He reminded me of His grace,

His perfect love and provision,

and His purpose for me and my life.

He shined in the darkness, meeting me where I was, loving me too much to leave me there.

He provided the rainbow: Metaphorically, in challenging life seasons, and literally, on the plane.

He was with me. And the same faithful God who was with me is with you, too. If you don’t know Him as your Lord and Savior, I pray that you will.

There’s nothing better than knowing the One who knows you better than you know yourself.

 

Look for the rainbow:

The sign of hope and the reminder of God’s presence in your life.

 

 

Whatever season you’re in right now, I hope you see God’s rainbow for you today.

And, if you feel like you’re at your darkest and you’ve searched for your rainbow to no avail,

remember, sometimes you can’t quite see it until you’re at your darkness.

For example…

  1. Go in a small, enclosed room.
  2. Turn the light on.
  3. Turn on your phone’s flashlight.
  4. Now turn the room’s light off.
  5. Shut the door.

Big difference, right?

(S/O to whoever came up with that illustrative activity! It ’twasn’t me.)

 

The light shines in the darkness.

 

God is with us through every season, whether we feel it or not.

If you feel…

abandoned

scared

sad

confused

lost

empty

weak

…look for the rainbow

God’s still there.

 

Do you have a rainbow story of God being with you in the darkness?

 

 

 

 

21 Days of Praying for Your Spouse/SOG & You

Lads & Lasses building sign

A few years ago I discovered a website that had 31 days of prayers for your future husband. I’ve been using the site as a guide on-and-off since then.

Often while praying for my future dude, I’d become convicted by the Holy Spirit.

“Help him be devoted to Your Word and accountable before You,” I’d pray.

“What about you?” the Holy Spirit replied.

“Mmmm. Touche.”

Recently the site went inactive *insert sad face*, so I thought God and I could just write our own, one that combines prayers for our future husband with prayers for ourselves. If that sounds selfish, just remember that, when you’re praying for your future husband to be humble, you’re praying for yourself to be humble, too. So, kinda more the opposite of selfish.

 

Alrighty, let’s get starte–Wait, Quinnterested, what’s the story behind “SOG” in the title?

I’m glad you asked. 

A couple of dear friends and I have long called our future husbands***(see bottom of page) by the nickname/codename “SOG,” which stands for Sam of God.

“So, there’s a *special* Sam in your life?” you might ask.

Uh, no. Not at the moment, anyway.

Here’s the origin: You might’ve heard of MOG, which stands for Man of God. 

But…SOG? 

Here’s the dealio:

I was *slightly* obsessed with the character Samwise Gamgee (from The Lord of the Rings) when we came up with this nickname ~circa 2009. In that hobbit-lovin’ season of my life, Samwise seemed like the ultimate man (well, hobbit) for me (maybe minus the height difference and weird feet, tbh.)

And, really, not a ton has changed.

So, SOG stuck. (<– not a bad tongue twister, eh?)

Back to our SOG prayer challenge.

 

Will you join me in lifting these (and other) prayers up to our gracious Father for the next three weeks?

 

As we begin, I want to encourage you to keep this verse at the center of your mind:

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

James 5:16b

By God’s grace, these prayers could mean more to your potential future spouse than you might ever know. So let’s do it, shall we?

 

21 Days of Praying for Your SOG, and YOU

 

Important note: With each prayer, pray it once for your SOG and again for yourself

 

Day 1: Pray for your SOG to know Jesus, if he doesn’t already. 

Thoughts: If Jesus ain’t *cringes from bad grammar* our base, ain’t nothin’ gonna be better than that. (Q, first, that didn’t make sense. Second, why? Just…at least try to be cool. #butcoolisoverrated)

 

 

 

Day 2: Pray for your SOG to trust and follow Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

 

 

 

Day 3: Pray for your SOG to embrace Jesus’s love for him.

 

 

 

Day 4: Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring fruit from your SOG’s relationship with Jesus.

 

 

 

Day 5: Pray for your SOG to love his/your family well.

Thoughts: Challenge yourself to love in action and in truth today, for God’s glory.

 

 

 

Day 6: Pray for your SOG to embrace humility and to be open to wise council.

Thoughts: Challenge yourself to put God and others first today, and to give credit where credit is due.

 

 

 

Day 7: Pray for your SOG to love and know truth.

Thoughts: Dig into the Word today–study the hard topics and find your source of truth from the Bible first, and then from other reliable sources.

 

 

 

Day 8: Pray for your SOG to lead you/your family well.

Thoughts: Focus on getting to know God better and wanting to obey Him more. Your SOG obviously isn’t your god, but learning to submit to those who are worthy of your respect, love, and trust is important.

 

 

 

Day 9: Pray for your SOG to stand up for what is right and true.

Thoughts: Study truth, and then be ready to stand up for what you know to be true.

 

 

 

Day 10: Pray for your SOG to feel loved right now, in this very moment, and to embrace the plans God has for him.

Thoughts: Right now, embrace how loved you are too, sister.

 

 

 

Day 11: Pray for your SOG to experience constant growth in his personal relationship with Jesus.

Thoughts: Knowing and lovin’ Jesus ain’t a one-time thing. (Again with the Southern-ness? Why?) Like any other “human” relationship, your relationship with Jesus is something to be nurtured and explored.

 

 

 

Day 12: Pray for your SOG to care more about what God thinks than what others think.

Thoughts: Speaking as an in-recovery people-pleaser, the kingdom of God needs less people-pleasers and more God-seekers. 

 

 

 

Day 13: Pray for your SOG to be bold (and humble) in sharing his faith with others.

Thoughts: What are your intentions? How do you define love?

 

 

 

Day 14: Pray for your SOG to desire to always be learning more about Jesus.

 

 

 

Day 15: Pray for your SOG to desire to (and actually take initiative to) spend quality time with Jesus on a regular basis.

 

 

 

Day 16: Pray for your SOG to sharpen you, in love and humility.

Thoughts: Proverbs 27:17. 

 

 

 

Day 17: Pray for your SOG to have friends who will be godly influences on his life and will encourage and sharpen him in the Lord.

 

 

 

Day 18: Pray for your SOG to align with you on the most important values of your faith.

Thoughts: Major/Salvation issues are vital to agree on—decide early on what those are for you/your SOG by studying the Word together and knowing what God thinks/what the Bible says on various topics.

 

 

 

Day 19: Pray for your SOG to be intentional about building and nurturing important relationships.

 

 

 

Day 20: Pray for your SOG to be honest with you—about everything.

 

 

 

Day 21: Pray for your SOG to hunger & thirst for God’s Word.

Thoughts: 1 Peter 2:2.

 

 

BONUS Day: Pray for your SOG to find and live in a healthy balance of work and play.

 

 

Congratulations on completing your 3 weeks of intentional prayer! May God richly bless you, as well as any future spouse He may have in store for you.

You are loved!

 

***I realize that not all of us will get married. As much as I kind of don’t want to admit that possibility, it exists all the same. But not because some black void is deciding my future. Nor because my future exists solely in my bad-at-flirting hands. Thankfully, God, our loving Father and Creator, knows exactly what we need, so if He wants you to get married, then it’s for your own good. If not, (still maybe hard to swallow–as a currently-single person, I know) at least we know that His will is for our good and His glory. In a podcast I listened to the morning I started writing this, a pastor reminded listeners that, as created beings, we are ultimately not here to get married or to be single. Instead, we are here to serve God. So let’s move forward in that beautiful truth.

 

Note: I actually found another resource for a 31 day prayer guide! Check it out!

 

 

 

Our Biblical Yearbook: Meet Mary, Martha’s Sister

Photo of Woman Sitting Down on Floor

Reverence.

That’s the best way to describe our newest friend.

She’s just quietly sitting over there, but there’s something deeply wise behind those sweet, naive eyes.

. . .

Today, we’re talking about Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

She has a special place in my heart, and I’m thankful to “know” her.

You can find Mary mentioned in John 11 & 12 (Death of Lazarus and Dining), Luke 10 (Sitting at Jesus’ feet), and possibly in Matthew 26 and Luke 7 (her name isn’t mentioned, and a descriptor makes it sound like it’s not Martha’s sister, but what the woman does in these chapters is similar to what our Mary does in John 12, so I included these just in case).

. . .

Mary is full of a most precious reverence for what’s important in life, and I hope we can all learn from her story today.

 

Background:

(…the Bible doesn’t give us much)

Mary is sister to Martha and Lazarus. Parents aren’t mentioned, so I assume that the siblings live together, sans-parents.

In John 11, we find out Lazarus died. We also see Jesus raise him from the grave. It’s awesome!

In Luke 10 & John 12, we see a really cool characteristic of Mary: She doesn’t care what people think. She knows what she feels led to do, and she just does it.

…sound familiar to our sista-from-anotha-mista: Esther (AKA Haddie)?

I love how these Bible peeps were broken humans like us, and yet they still offer a beautiful example of faith, courage, and obedience.

 

Back to Mary.

 

We’re going to focus on what we learn about/from Mary from Luke 10. Feel free to follow along, starting in verse 38 (or see below).

 

Setting the Scene:

Fair warning: Since our background info on Mary is fairly limited, we’re going to elaborate (in context) a little.

It’s late afternoon. Mary just got back from the market, lugging with her a basket of the items Martha requested.

Mary walks through the door. The scene is a little chaotic. Martha rummages around the kitchen, looking for her favorite spoon while two pots boil over the fire.

Mary walks in, sets down the groceries, and takes a step back—just in time, since Martha stands up from her spoon search and almost runs into her sister.

“Sorry. Where’s the fish?”

“I put it on the counter, sis,” Mary replies peacefully.

“Right,” a distracted Martha says. “Thanks. Alright, so Jesus is coming in a little over an hour, and we still have SO much to do. I made you a list. Before you say anything–yes, I know it looks like a lot, but–”

Mary’s eyes light up. “Was that a knock?” Mary asks.

Before Martha has a chance to respond, Mary rushes to the door, not even trying to contain her excitement for seeing her favorite person.

Their eyes meet as Jesus walks in the door. Jesus grins at Mary’s beaming face, and Mary waves excitedly to Jesus as Lazarus lets Him in.

No one makes Mary feel as known and wholly loved as her big brother’s friend Jesus does.

As the evening goes on, Mary feels a nudge inside her grow. Something calls to her soul and tells her to stay right where she is: on the ground, a few feet away from Jesus, hopefully hanging onto His every wise, thoughtful word.

Also as the evening goes on, Martha continues to faithfully prepare the house for their special guest.

Both sisters are serving Jesus to the best of their abilities, yet in completely different ways.

 

While Martha’s version of welcoming Jesus looks like making the house and meal perfect for Him,

Mary’s version is simply sitting in His presence. 

 

Both wish to make Him feel like a King.

But only one got it quite right.

 

Here’s where we get a straight-from-the-Bible script of the event:

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

Mary, by sitting at Jesus’ feet, chose what was better.

A few thoughts…

  1. The author specifically chose to include where Mary sat: At Jesus’ feet. It’s humbling to put yourself below someone. I think Mary knew her place–not necessarily as a Bible-times woman, but as a human unequal to the King she believed Jesus was.
  2. Mary wasn’t trying to be disrespectful to her sister. She simply knew what she should do, so she did so, no questions asked. I think she sensed the temporary-ness of Jesus’ physical presence in their lives and desired to soak up every moment she had with Him.
  3. Martha sounds like the oldest child. Maybe not. But, personality-wise, she was the oldest. I bet Martha had loads of responsibility, and I bet she knew that hosting Jesus was a big deal–and she didn’t want to mess that up. She just didn’t realize that a gift for Jesus greater than her preparations for Him would be her ears and her heart, but she was too distracted to realize this like Mary did.

Something in Mary sensed that the most important thing was for her to be with Jesus, no distractions allowed.

 

. . .

 

See what I mean?

There’s just this humble knowingness about her.

And it makes me want to be more like her.

I think she’ll be a great influence on our school this year.

 

. . .

 

What distracts you from spending quality time with Jesus?

Choose to sit at His feet today.

 

Special S/O to Min An from Pexels for that beautiful photo!

An Outsider’s Perspective: Sports

 

Sports!

We ’bout to try somethin’ new.

Let’s talk about things I know humorously little about: Sports

 

Sounds educational, amiright?

 

Sports: From an   o u t s i d e r ‘s   perspective

Side note: If you don’t know much about sports…don’t learn from me. This is a joke and is (at least mostly) inaccurate. 🙂

 

 

Let us begin. 

 

Basketball:

Main Point: Get the ball to the other team as creatively as possible.

How It Works: You run across the court in costume and try to throw the ball to the other team by bouncing it off something called a hoop-pole (which is connected to a rope-net). If the other team catches it on the bounce (off of the hoop-pole), then the team that threw it at the hoop-pole gets a point.

The Highlights: In 1914, a young Michael Jackson won the NLSSH (National Les’ Shoot Some Hoops) championship at the tender age of 5.

The Lowlights: Anytime the team that’s supposed to catch the ball from the hoop-pole strategy doesn’t. It doesn’t go well for anyone.

 

Baseball:

Baseball

Main Point: Hit the ball out of the playing arena.

How It Works: You grab the line (a vertical, cone-esque piece of wood used to hit the ball) and wait for your turn to hit the ball outside the arena. Try to use as many lines at a time as possible.

The Highlights: In 2075, Mr. Junior Ritchie hit the ball so far that it touched an alien on Mars. (The alien recovered shortly after.)

The Lowlights: The food served at baseball games–generally undercooked steak and cold leaves of spinach.

 

Football:

Football

Main Point: Make a human pile

How It Works: You run around a large outdoor area (measured in inches) and hit each other with an oval-cake-shaped leathery thing. You want to throw the leathery thing while jumping onto someone else, as well as to catch the leathery thing while running into someone else.

The Highlights: When the entire team ends up in a pile. So inspiring.

The Lowlights: When the players throw the leathery thing through this fork-shaped goal. Just wasting time! Ugh. 

 

Wrestling:

Wrestling

Main Point: Draw art on the ground with your body

How It Works: Two people step onto the human-sized art palette, which is below their feet. The timer starts, and the two draw invisible art on the floor as creatively as they can. They often get in each other’s way.

The Highlights: When the art floor got sold for $1.5 billion in 2008.

The Lowlights: When the best art that came out of a 40-minute match was a stick man grimacing. It was a little disappointing. 

 

I hope that was entertaining…I entertained myself, so that’s something. 😉

Praise God for senses of humor! He sure has one.

 

What’s your favorite sport, and what’s the worst definition of it?

The Enneagram, as seen on TV

Canva - Man Holding Remote Control

The worst way to begin is by saying that I’m not an Enneagram expert.

And yet, here we are.

giphy-2

Without further ado…

…Here’s each of the Nine Enneagram personality types defined by familiar characters.

If you’ve struggled to understand Enneagram like I have, maybe these mental pictures will help shed light on the types.

 

Type 1: The Reformer

Canva - Woman Wearing Pink Collared Half-sleeved Top

Perfectionistic. Purposeful. Self-controlled. 

 

My choice for Type 1: Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins  

MARY POPPINS, Julie Andrews, 1964

Photo Credit: https://ew.com
*(I can’t take credit for this one…I was looking for examples of real people and saw this, and I stopped because I doubted there’d be a clearer example)*

 

Quinnterested Note: Mary Poppins is TEXTBOOK type 1. 'Nough said.

“Practically perfect in every way.”

 

 

Type 2: The Helper

Canva - Adventure, Height Level, Arm, Assistance, Athlete, Boys

People-pleasing. Generous. Possessive.

 

My choice for Type 2: Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games

peeta
Photo Credit: https://www.theodysseyonline.com
Quinnterested Note: He thinks more about others than himself.

“Stay with me. 

Always.” -Katniss and Peeta

 

Type 3: The Achiever

Man making his next move

Image-conscious. Success-oriented. Driven. 

 

My choice for Type 3: Andy Bernard, The Office (US)

andy

Photo Credit: https://theofficedundermifflin.fandom.com
*(I can’t take credit for this one either…)*

“I’ll be the number-two guy here in Scranton in six weeks. How? Name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake. I’m always thinking one step ahead.”

 

Type 4: The Individualist

Canva - Person's Eye

Expressive. Dramatic. Temperamental.

 

My choice for Type 4: Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

anne

Quinnterested Note: She's 4+, but her creative romanticism is classic 4.

 

Type 5: The Investigator

Canva - Person Holding Innovation Plan Board

Perceptive. Intense. Cerebral.

 

My choice for Type 5: Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock (BBC)

sherlock

Photo Credit: https://www.studysmarter.de
Quinnterested Note: Sherlock might as well have invented the 5.

“Shut up. You’re thinking. It’s annoying.”

 

Type 6: The Loyalist

Canva - Chick, Bird, Breeding, Down, Protect, Protection, Hands

Responsible. Committed. Anxious.

 

My choice for Type 6: Horton, Seussical the Musical (and Horton Hears a Who, but I’m here for the musical)

horton

Photo Credit: http://www.playbill.com
Quinnterested Note: He's as loyal as they come.

“I’ve been guarding this clover for over a week, getting laughed at for thinking a dust speck can speak.”

 

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Canva - Man Jumping on Rock Formation Under Blue Sky

Distractible. Fun-loving. Spontaneous.

 

My choice for Type 7: Andy Dwyer, Parks & Rec

andy

Photo Credit: https://www.dailybreak.com
Quinnterested Note: Oh Andy, we love you and your fun-ness.

 

“Is that a goose that just flew by the window? Oh, it’s a plastic bag.”

“I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know I’m doing it well.”

“I’m allergic to sushi. Every time I eat more than 80 pieces, I throw up.”

 

Type 8: The Challenger

Canva - Man Holding Chess Piece

Self-confident. Decisive. Confrontational.

 

My choices for Type 8: Thomas, The Maze Runner

thomas

Photo Credit: http://www.fanpop.com
Quinnterested Note: If you need a leader, it'll probably be an 8.

 

“I didn’t do anything wrong. All I know is I saw two people struggling to get inside these walls and they couldn’t make it. To ignore that because of some stupid rule seemed selfish, cowardly, and…well, stupid. If you want to throw me in jail for trying to save someone’s life, then go ahead.” -Thomas

 

Type 9: The Peacemaker

Canva - Two Person Holding White and Green Peace Wreath

Easy-going. Reassuring. Receptive.

 

My choice for Type 9: Jane Bennet, Pride & Prejudice

Jane

Photo Credit: https://catchthatkissimport.home.blog
  • Quinnterested Note: Your diplomatic middle-man/good listener

“To take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad–belongs to you alone.” -Elizabeth to Jane

 

What’s your Enneagram type?

Which of the above characters and descriptions do you most relate to?

Comment below!

 

Note: Each of the adjectives at the beginning of each type’s description were taken from enneagraminstitute.com.
Also, shoutout out to the many helpful people who contributed to the shaping of this list!

 

AWAKEN Nashville

awaken

The city of Nashville is doing something.

And I think God’s doing something, too.

It’s for God. And it’s a gift from God.

 

Here’s what it looks like: For 30 days, over 30,000 people in the greater Nashville-area prayed (and some fasted, in various ways) for every person who has a greater Nashville address.

 

If you live in Nashville, you’ll be getting (if you haven’t already) a postcard in the mail that says something like this:

“Hi [insert Nashville resident’s name here],

My name is [Quinn], and for the last 30 days I have had the honor of praying for you and your family. Although I don’t know you, I have been praying that the love and peace of Jesus would fill your home and bless your life. As you reflect back on this month, I hope you will see God’s love for you.

Blessings,

[Quinn]

 

What will result of this? Well, the 30 days of praying literally ends today, so I couldn’t quite tell you yet.

Here are 5 things I do know:

  1. God will be/has been praised (this is ultimately about praising God!)
  2. God-glorifying, big revival movements in the past have begun with a similar time of intentional prayer and fasting
  3. James 5:16
  4. Fasting and praying as a city-wide church (body of Christ) is unifying and encouraging
  5. God is moving, and I think He’s already shown me one miracle He’s done so far…

 

PMS:

(Possible Miracle Storytime) 😉

If you signed up to participate in AWAKEN, you received a packet. In said-packet comes instructions, a 30-day devotional/prayer guide, a list of 15 first names and addresses in the area that you will be praying for each day, and 15 postcards that you’ll fill out with a similar message to the one above at the end of the 30 days.

On Saturday, my mom announced that she’d counted her postcards and was short a few.

Yesterday (Sunday), I was filling out my postcards. At one pointed I paused to count the cards and noted I had only 12.

I continued anyway.

The closer I got to filling out postcards for numbers 13-15 on my list, the more confused I was at the thicker-than-12 pile of postcards I’d been drawing from.

I decided to count again.

I had 15.

I told my parents.

My mom now had 15, too.

Dude.

 

Chat time.

Did either my mom or I major in math in college? Mmm no.

But did God quite possibly just pull a loaves-and-fishes situation?

Ask Him yourself.

All I know is, that was cool.

(Understatement of the year, meyybe?)

giphy-3

Listen, I didn’t see the pile go into labor and literally birth three new cards before my eyes. (A-la the overflowing rice Ricky makes in the “Job Switching” episode of I Love Lucy, season 2, episode 1…*ahem*, my childhood.)

I’m believing that my math skills aren’t perfect, but that God is. Whatever happened, whether my mom and I both miscounted by 3 or not, He provided the perfect number of postcards for both of us.

And I’m choosing to believe He might’ve just done a magical multiplication right in front of me.

So, to the last 3 people on my list, I hope you feel extra special and cared for today, because I think God really wanted you guys to receive the notes.

 

If you want to learn more about the 30 days of prayer and fasting that Nashville took part in this month, visit AWAKEN Nashville’s website here.

Our Biblical Yearbook: Meet Esther

Chess

There’s something about that new girl…

What is it?

Dude, I think you’re right! 

It’s the way people are drawn to her without her being a “cool” kid. Like, she’s cool. But not in that way? Ya know? #middleschoolstuff

. . .

 

Everyone, meet Esther.

 

Unlike Joe from last week, Esther actually has her own book of the Bible. Buuurn.

So pop open Esther 1, and lmk when you’re ready for a true story of a normal girl that God used to move a magnificent piece of His divine puzzle.

 

Esther’s story actually opens with some background info on King Xerxes. (He was a big time guy who ruled over a LOT of land.)

Chapter 1’s a little cringy. Queen lady gets dumped because she doesn’t participate in drunk King guy’s party. That’s, what, Cringe Level 7…or 8?

giphy

Long story short, a new queen must be found.

Time to introduce today’s hero: Esther. Also known as Hadassah. (Short for Haddie, if you ask me. Which pairs SO nicely with “Rey”–i.e.: “Haddie Rey.” Is that not the cutest name?? Future hub, where art thou? What thinkest thou of that na–I digress.)

This Queen search had a soldiers-needed-during-wartime vibe. So, any gal who fit the “beautiful, young virgin” bill was sent to pack and get ready for a road trip to beauty school.

 

Pause. Get ready to time-travel.

We’re headed for Esther’s house.

 

Go ahead and knock–Esther should still be home.

Hey, Mor! Good to see you. 

Friends, meet Mordecai, Esther’s guardian and cousin. I think you’ll like him. He’s an amazing father-figure to Esther, and he’s pretty selfless–he’s raised Esther since her parents passed away.

Hey girl! So glad we got to see you before you left!

Shalom, Haddie and Mor. See y’all soon!

Play.

 

Esther just got recruited in the Queen search.

Let’s review what we know about her so far:

She’s…

-beautiful

-a virgin

-an orphan

-now in-training to be Queen

-Oh, and she’s also a Jew (of the Tribe of Benjamin)

…and that’s ’bout it.

 

Actually, here’s one more tidbit that’s interesting to think about:

She’s…

-obedient

Mmm, context, please.

Good point.

Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

Esther 2:10-11

 

Esther was under Mor’s authority, and she faithfully obeyed him, even while she was in this strange new place.

Wait–“strange new place”…doesn’t that sound familiar?

Mmm, it does.

To me, at least. If it doesn’t to you, check out last week’s post about Joseph.

As we move into the palace with Esther, let’s set Joe’s story next to hers and compare.

Time to put on your detective cap. It’s investigatin’ time.

giphy-1

Investigation #1: What similarities do you find in the following verses?

Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.

Esther 2:8-9

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Genesis 39:2-6

 

Here’s what I found, Watson:

Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. She pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven female attendants selected from the king’s palace and moved her and her attendants into the best place in the harem.

Esther 2:8-9

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Genesis 39:2-6

 

Thoughts: God’s up to something. Remember the Wizard of Oz-like curtain behind which God was working? He’s back behind it, and I’m feeling like we’re about to see some of what He’s got going on back there. Maybe because I know how the stories end, sure, but also because He’s a God of order, and He’s following a sort of pattern here, isn’t He? And we know how Joseph’s story ended, so, hey, let’s hope Esther experiences a similar anointing over her life. I guess you’ll have to keep reading to find out.

 

Investigation #2: What similarities do you find in these verses?

This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful.

Esther 2:7

 

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome…

Genesis 39:6

Watson, I think we’ll have similar answers here. Did you see a they’re-both-physically-attractive theme? Me, too.

 

The similarities in Joseph’s and Esther’s stories are fascinating to me.

-They’re both kids (Yes, kids. Both were around their teen years at the beginning of their Biblical stories.) 

-They’re both nice-looking/well-built

-They’re both taken (at least somewhat against their will) to a strange new place

-In this new place, God was with them. And not only was He with them, but He was blessing them and giving them metaphorical manna of sorts: little and big reminders of His presence and power.

-Amidst the challenges they face, both kids are given — spoiler alert — roles of authority, all the while trusting and obeying God.

Also, canIjustsay that Haddie and Joe should get married, because “they would make the most beautiful super baby. It would rule us all.” (S/O to ma man Andy Dwyer for that fab quote.) Actually like wow. WHAT?! Oh my word. This needs to happen. Might be a little late, though. Hmm.

Anywho.

 

Here are two ordinary kids.

They’re living life, and, all of the sudden, God disrupts their normalcy and puts them in a whole new role.

And they choose to be obedient. They embrace this new role, however unfamiliar and uncomfortable it might be.

I think it’s fair to assume that both Haddie and Joe were both wise beyond their years.  Whether or not they knew God was up to something, I think they knew the character of God well enough to trust Him with their lives.

Can you say role models?! (You can? Good job! So proud of you and your English skills, bud.)

 

Back to Esther. 

 

Our gal’s in a 12-month beauty treatment program, probably completely out of her element. Yet God shows that He’s with her by giving Esther favor. And Esther perseveres through it all, giving Mor updates on how it’s going each night. (See Esther 2:11)

Fast-forward approx. 1 year: Esther has finally finished her intense, 12-month beauty regimen, and it’s time for her to go to the King.

Once again, Esther is humbly obedient to her authoritative peeps. (See Esther 2:15)

And, what happens?

And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.

Esther 2:15b

What happens next? Well, as Esther 2 so romantically puts it, the King set a crown on her head. (Romance, amIright?)

In other words, our girl’s a QUEEN now!

 

So there’s a celebration and lotsa fancy stuff, and then we’re reminded of what seems to be a pretty important character trait to Esther’s author: her obedience to Mor. (We’ll find out why in a min.)

But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

Esther 2:20

 

Let’s fast-forward again, this time to a sticky situation.

Long story short, the King’s right-hand man (S/O to all the left-handed people for being forgotten, or something, in this long-standing expression) does not like Mordecai. Mordecai’s being his faithful, humble self, and Haman (that’s the righty) is not about that life. (#millennialism)

I’m gonna take a leap and say that Haman has some anger issues.

Why?

Because he has a little disagreement with Mor, and he decides the solution is to…

apologize

agree to disagree

passive-agressively roll his eyes and not talk about it

 

…Nope.

Haman’s solution? Kill all the Jews in the King’s 127 provinces.

Needless to say (then why say it?), Haman’s not a subtle guy.

The King, annoyingly, is like, “K, fine.”

So the word about the mass destruction of this people group gets out, and here’s what Esther’s author says about the people’s reaction. It’s powerful.

The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

Esther 3:15

Mordecai probably isn’t feeling so hot right now. He didn’t do anything wrong. But, because of his choice to act upon his beliefs, Haman was motivated to kill all of Mor’s people.

So Mor goes out and mourns, and Esther’s peeps tell her about it.

Esther asks for more info, and so her peeps come back with instructions and documented proof about the edict from Mor.

Esther’s flipping through everything, astonished and hurt for her people, and then she gets to the last sentence of Mor’s instructions.

“…go into the king’s presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her [Esther’s] people.” (Esther 4:8)

Oof. 

Why? Why “oof”?

Hey, it’s time for history class, so hurry up! Seriously, one more tardy and we’ll get expelled!

We’re studying ancient sociology today, so that’ll help explain.

Basically, in Esther’s time, if you weren’t summoned by the King, then you weren’t going to see him. You’re left to his whims.

So, if you go to Mr. King Man to be like, “Hey, want some pizza?” he could kill you.

Dude, it’s just pizza. Calm down. 

And yet, that’s how it worked back then.

 

So Esther’s mourning this insanely awful edict when, all of a sudden, the tone shifts.

Suddenly the saving of her people rests on her.

And the only way she can save them is by going to the King.

And the King hasn’t summoned her.

Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

Esther 4:10-11

Mordecai’s response:

(Read carefully)

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:13-14

Sorry, I gotta pause just for a sec. Verse 14b (the end of the verse) is one of my most favorite verses of all time.

I could talk for approximately 97.3 years about why I love that verse, because of the purpose it brings to each of our lives (because of our intentional Creator), but we may not have time for all that.

Instead, I humbly suggest that you have a minute of communion between you and the Holy Spirit, meditating on Esther 4:14.

 

A couple thoughts on that verse…

–Mordecai didn’t sugar-coat the truth. He was bold in his words to Esther, however taboo or scary they were. (Remember, Mor loves Haddie like his own child. He would NEVER want her to die. But he sees the importance, maybe a little of the behind-the-Wizard’s-curtian element of this story, and he speaks truth to her all the same. Because he loves her.)

–Look at the difference in casualties! Yes, the risk here seems silly from an outsider’s perspective. I mean, hmm, one life or the lives of people in 127 provinces? The answer’s easy, right?

But what if that one life is yours?

There’s a lot riding on young Esther here. Haddie’s possible scenarios:

She…

–Doesn’t go to the King (Esther: Life; Jews: Death)

–Does go to the King (Esther: Death; Jews: Death)

–Does go to the King (Esther: Life; Jews: Death)

–Does go to the King (Esther: Life; Jews: Life)

I’m not a math major, but if those odds were about my own life or the lives of people I cared about, I’d be nervous, too.

 

Esther responds with the courage and grace of a true Queen:

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Esther 4:16

 

Storytelling Time:

*I wasn’t there when the following happened (wait–you’re not over a thousand years old?), and the Bible doesn’t super-clearly illustrate this part, so I can’t tell you that this is exactly how this looked.
Thus, this is for illustrative, let’s-get-in-her-shoes purposes.

 

Esther’s moment has come.

She’s standing outside the doors to the King’s room. She’s shaking.

Her heart’s beating so loudly that she barely feels a bead of sweat drop from her back to the cold floor.

Everything in her body is telling her to turn around.

And then, just maybe, something changes.

The shaking doesn’t, but the feeling motivating it does.

Esther is overcome with a divine sense of purpose.

She’s here for her people, and ultimately for the glory of God, so whatever happens will happen. It doesn’t matter, because God’s got her, and He’s big enough to take care of His people.

He’s also big enough to take care of Esther. He’s already proven that to her, giving her favor and the role of Queen and all.

What did Mordecai say? 

“Such a time as this…”

I believe that. 

Here we go…

Our girl bravely pushes open the doors and looks at what will be perhaps the most important 50 or so steps of her life, to the front of the King’s throne.

This is the moment.

This is what Jews in 127 provinces have fasted and prayed over.

This is where Jews in 127 provinces either die or live.

And their fate is in the hands of God, which are hovering over the courage of a young little Jewish girl who just risked her life for her people, some of whom she’s never met.

When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.

Esther 5:2

If you could read all of Esther’s chapter 8 right now, that’d be perfect.

 

. . .

 

Go say hi! Trust me, she’s super nice. Hey, we should invite her to our slumber party! I bet she’s a really good storyteller for our classic 2 AM storytime, too.

 

. . .

 

I’m so glad I got to introduce you to one of my role models. Thanks for journeying to her world with me. It means a lot.

I hope you see God’s hand over your life like it was on Esther’s.

The same God who anointed Esther with favor and protection is the same God who knitted you together in your mom’s body. (Psalm 139:13)

And He loves you and has SUPER plans for your life.

 

Finish the story. See how God used a simple little girl to save almost countless people.

No one would’ve predicted it. And yet, God chose Haddie.

 

Be blessed, friends!