A Keen Perspective

 In a world where submission is often seen as the ultimate virtue for women, Queen Vashti dared to be different. This ancient Persian queen refused to be paraded in front of her husband's drunken friends, and in doing so, became an unlikely hero for modern women everywhere. Let's set the scene: King Ahasuerus (aka Xerxes) was throwing a lavish party, and he wanted to show off his queen's beauty to impress his guests with his own prestige and masculinity. But Vashti was like, "Uh, no thanks. I'm good." And with that, she became the first recorded queen to give her husband the old "talk to the hand." You know, that classic move where you dismiss someone with a flick of the wrist and a whole lot of sass. Funny thing is, my soon-to-be ex used to tell me to "talk to the hand" all the time. I guess he didn't realize he was actually training me in the ancient art of Vashti-style assertiveness!  Now, some might say Vashti was disobedient or reb...

As I drove down the road today, I witnessed a tragic event that made me pause and ponder the fleeting nature of life. An oncoming car struck a squirrel who was scurrying out to gather some nuts that had fallen from an overhead tree. In less than a blink of an eye, the squirrel's life was extinguished. Talk about a nutty reminder of our mortality! It hit me (pun intended): we're all just like that squirrel, busily scurrying around, trying to gather our own "nuts" - whether that's wealth, success, or happiness. But in a split second, our lives can change forever. As the Bible says, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14) But here's the thing: while we can't control the length of our lives, we can control how we live them. So, let's not get too caught up in chasing after nuts (okay, I'll stop with the squirrel analogies now, I pro...

 As a single mom, I've learned to rely on God's strength and provision.  2 Corinthians 9:7, says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This verse has become my mantra as I work tirelessly to provide for my family. My days are filled with a 9-to-5 job, three side businesses, and maintaining our home and large garden. It's not uncommon for me to put in 12-hour days, six days a week. But despite the exhaustion, I find joy in knowing that I'm giving my best to provide for my loved ones. Recently, someone close to me doubted my capabilities, saying I wasn't capable of handling it all. But I know the truth - God has equipped me with strength, resilience, and determination. I choose to focus on His promises rather than negative opinions. In the midst of chaos, I've discovered joy in the simple things: a home-cooked meal, a beautiful sunset, or a child's ...

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed that you just shut down and do nothing? Like, literally nothing? No motivation, no energy, no desire to even get out of bed? You're not alone. I recently experienced this firsthand. My weekend was supposed to be a productive one – I had a long list of tasks to tackle in the house, garden, and my businesses. But as I faced the weight of hefty decisions and mounting responsibilities, my body and mind said, "No more." I felt the familiar sensation of overwhelm creeping in, and before I knew it, I was stuck in a state of paralysis. Despite my best intentions, I accomplished very little that weekend. But as I looked back on those quiet, unproductive days, I realized that my body was trying to tell me something. It was screaming for rest, for stillness, and for the freedom to do nothing. This post may contain affiliate links, where I earn a small commission if you purchase from clicking on the link. In Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir Eat Pray Lo...

In many American Indian cultures, animals were considered messengers of the Great Spirit, carrying guidance and wisdom. Encounters with wild animals were seen as opportunities for spiritual growth and self-reflection. I've always been fascinated by this idea, and recently, I've been wondering: does God really guide animals to cross our paths to convey messages? This concept isn't unique to American Indian cultures; the Bible also contains stories of animals being used as messengers from God. For example: - _Numbers 22:22-35_: A donkey sees an angel of the Lord and refuses to move, saving the life of its owner, Balaam. _1 Kings 17:4-6_: Ravens bring food to the prophet Elijah during a time of famine.  _Jonah 1:17_: A whale swallows Jonah, leading to his repentance and ministry.  _Genesis 8:8-12_: A dove returns to Noah's ark with an olive leaf, signaling the end of the flood and a new beginning. In the past week, I've had an unusual series of encounters with wild ani...

As I drove down the rustic backroads, I stumbled upon a sight that left me in awe. A woman was walking her enormous Roly Poly black and white pig, just as one would walk their dog. What struck me wasn't just the unusual pet, but the woman's confidence and comfort in being different. Meta AI generated a photo based on my description of what I saw. In a world where conformity is often encouraged, it's refreshing to see someone embracing their individuality. The woman didn't seem embarrassed or apologetic about her unconventional pet; instead, she exuded a sense of freedom and joy. As I passed by, I couldn't help but reflect on my own life. How often do I hold back from being my true self, afraid of judgment or rejection? Yet, in that moment, I saw the beauty of unapologetic self-expression. The woman and her pig reminded me that being different is what makes us unique and beautiful. By embracing our quirks and individuality, we can live more authentic, fulfilling live...