Why You Should Own A Tiara

This is me in my pretty purple princess tiara.

Yes, I know I’m not really a princess.

Or a six year old girl.

I bought this $3 tiara to celebrate the fact that I am two years cancer free!!!!!! It’s a big deal because, honestly, I didn’t think I would make it this long. Having gone into remission twice before only to have the Hodgkin’s Lymphoma come back within a couple of months, I didn’t have a lot of faith that the remission would stick this time.

I love when God proves me wrong.

So I bought a tiara. I plan on wearing it proudly when I go out to celebrate with my friends. It’s a symbol of victory and life. The fact that this day is a gift, meant to be celebrated and enjoyed.

Then I realized…isn’t that true of every day?

And everyone?

So I’m not just going to wear my tiara on celebration day. I’m going to wear it every morning when I start my quiet time. When I start the day off with Jesus, I’m going to remember that it is a special day. A gift. A one-of-a-kind day to do something awesome and amazing.

And I think we should all be like that. It shouldn’t take a devastating illness to make us appreciate life. It’s Jesus! It’s knowing He holds us, gives us breath, and designs our purpose. It’s knowing that He doesn’t have to give us today – He chooses to give us today. Every single day. Every single moment. Every single breath.

Wow.

Doesn’t that make you want to celebrate? To do something to mark today as special? Do it!

And then do it again tomorrow.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4

“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

What ways do you rejoice daily? How can you make today special? What Bible verses or worship songs remind you to treat every day as a gift?

Five Minute Friday: Loss

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Why is loss so hard? The hurt and pain. The ovewhelming feelings of dissapointment, betrayal, and injustice? We’re cheated. We’re beaten. We’re bruised. We’re suddenly incomplete, broken, and empty.

But is it really loss when God is in the habit of gain?

The things He has to give us are so incomparably beautiful and wonderful. Hope. Grace. Joy. Love. Yet our eyes and hearts are blinded by the shiny trinkets of this world. So we give up the extraordinary for something so much less and oridinary.

But He is not content to watch us wallow in a world of less. He wants so much more for us. So, He takes away. He takes away comfort and security. He takes away opportunities and dreams. He takes away, not so we’ll dwell in the land of loss, but so we can gain so much more.

Loss isn’t suddenly having nothing. It’s gaining something better. Peace. Contentment. Faith. It’s learning to let go of this world and cling to something and Someone who is so much greater, words can’t even begin to describe.

Loss isn’t loss. It’s gain.

Jesus, please help me to look at loss through Your eyes. Help me to see it as a chance to gain more of You.

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I’m writing this in light of the wonderful news that I am one-year cancer free!! In the midst of the last four years battling cancer on and off, there have been so many times that it feels like life is filled with nothing but loss. But, having trudged through the valley, I can see so clearly now that what I have gained is so much greater than what I have lost. I promise this is true for any trial you might face. It hardly feels like it in the midst of it, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

This Five Minute Friday is brought to you by Gypsy Mama. Stop by her blog and give it a try!

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