Hello, Ladies. Have I ever mentioned that I don't just call you "ladies" because it sounds nice . . . or because "girls" seems too young . . . or because it would just take too long to list all your names? (Hello Nicole, Melody, Paige, Avery . . we could be here for days.) I call you "ladies" because according to the dictionary you fit the bill by being: "A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior."
The world as a whole may not see that as valuable (much les cool), but I do. Just sayin'.
Okay, so -- I'm about to leave for my five-day session at the Academy For Spiritual Formation at the Oblate Renewal Center in San Antonio, Texas, and I couldn't go without checking in with you. I've been pretty incommunicado lately, trying to get a novel done, and as always you have carried on like, well, the ladies you are. Still, I wanted to leave you with some things to think about, comment on, discuss among yourselves while I'm off filling my well so we'll have even MORE things to talk about.
Those of you who have been with this blog for a while, or who worship in liturgical churches that follow the church calendar, know that this is the season of Epiphany. We're a week into it, actually, January 6 being the official start date when we recognize the arrival of the Three Wise Men (AKA Magi) at Jesus' birthplace. The fact that they were not Jewish but came from the Far East makes them a symbol for Jesus coming into the world to save everyone. That is genuinely a big deal and deserves its own celebration, even though we usually lump the Wise Guys in with the rest of the visitors in the nativity scene. They were the ones who made gift-giving appropriate at Christmas. Gave us the image of the star. And played a role in saving the baby Jesus' life by returning home by another way, rather than cluing Herod in on where he was. So yeah, they deserve a whole season.
Personally, I think it can take an entire six-week period just to figure out the gifts the three wise men brought. I used to wonder why they'd bring gold and, basically, perfume to a baby. I've always enjoyed thinking about what three wise WOMEN would have brought -- diapers, perhaps? Blankies? A pacifier? Because Jesus was probably a toddler by the time they arrived, something besides swaddling clothes would have been a nice touch.
Here's the reason the magi brought such extravagant (and pretty much impractical) gifts. They were led by the star to pay homage to a child king. Chances are they expected a kid who had everything, not one who essentially had nothing. They were prepared to bow down to this boy king, so they brought gifts worthy of royalty.
These three men are the only ones we know of who showed up with presents. Other stories of gifts for the Baby Jesus are merely legends, like that of the Little Drummer Boy (which I personally love -- I play Mannheim Steamroller's arrangement of that song over and over at Christmas time). So basically the three wise guys set the standard for what we should bring to our Lord Christ. Later in the Gospel, the woman who bathes Jesus' feet with expensive oil and dries them with her hair reminds us again that the best we have is what we're called on to bring to the Savior.
So, Ladies, what's the best you have right now that you can bring to God-in-Christ?
What's your gold? What's so solid and pure in you, in yoru life, that it could even stand the test of fire (or peer pressure or the hunger to belong or the need to prove yourself?)
What's your frankincense? What's so sweetly healing in you that it could bring comfort to people when the artificial or trendy things they reach for don't do the job?
What's your myrrh? What is it in your spirit that helps bury the dead stuff that the world wants to keep alive, like materialism and discrimination and the pressure to be perfect?
Those aren't easy questions, so some examples might help:
* I think my gold is my refusal to give up hope. No matter how bad things get (and believe me, sometimes they dip pretty low!), there is always a core of hope in me. Even when I'm wailing and gnashing my teeth, I bring my hope to my Lord.
* As for my frankincense, I think that's my writing gift. It seems to help people, especially girls, heal from the wounds of the slashing, biting, angry world. When it can't heal, maybe it comforts. I like to think so anyway. That's why I keep doing it.
* "Myrrh is mine," the third wise man sings, and I would have to say mine is journaling. Every morning I try to bury what's dead as I scribble my thoughts before the day really gets rolling. Sometimes it tries to resurrect itself; old stuff doesn't go down quietly and easily. But I have put a lot of dead issues to rest in the countless pages of my personal writing. It's sort of like what Jesus talks about when he says the branches have to be pruned and burnede so new growth can happen.
Obviously this is going to require a lot of thought and imagination, but you have a whole week, right? See if you can discover your own gold, frankincense and myrrh and share it with our little blog community. You ladies have such riches to share, so please do. I think Christ the King is waiting.
Blessings,
Nancy Rue
Don't forget the blog party!!!
February 3 and 4!!!
Wow, I haven't been here in so long! I've missed you all :) I definitely know my frankinsense, but I might take a little more time to figure out the others. My frankinsence is music - playing it and listening to it. Alot of times when I'm sad or hurt or losing hope, music is such a great comfort... it fills my soul with hope and drives me to keep going.
lovelovelove,
abbie /// xoxoxo
Posted by: Abbie | 01/15/2012 at 02:58 PM
Have an amazing time, mrs Rue!
I dont know all of mine but will totally post after thinking about it. My frankincense is my writing and also my dancing. ;)
Posted by: kate S | 01/15/2012 at 05:47 PM
I hope you have a beautiful time with Jesus, Nancy.:D
and will answer these questions some time this week, and looking forward to reading everyone else's answers :)
Posted by: Emii | 01/16/2012 at 02:44 AM
Wow, these are tough questions. I'll have to think about it throughout this week and maybe answer it this weekend - I'll be either quite busy or gone until then - I'm going to stay with my friend's family for 3 days during this huge 1800s reenactment-type thing. Tons of families go to this big field where everyone sets up canvas tents and stuff and you actually live (as much as you can) as if you're in the 1800s (it goes on for about a week and a half or so). I can't wait! I went last year, too, for one night.
Anyway, I gotta get going. Thanks for posting before you leave, Mrs. Rue - I like the thought about if the Wise Men were Wise Women!! I never thought about that before. ;D And I echo Emii in saying that I'm praying that you have a beautiful time with Jesus. :) Love ya girls!
Posted by: Nicole | 01/16/2012 at 08:26 AM
i think my gold is...the faith i have in God. Whenever im having a bad time, i remind myself that this is part of God's plan and just trust Him through it
i think my frankincense is...actually im not sure if this counts but i try to put myself in others shoes and look/feel from their point of view. That helps me understand more of what they're thinking and i can try working things out.
my myrrh...well...just the fact that God made me the way i am with no mistake helps me bury the wrong things this world is constantly putting in my way...
hope you have a great time Mrs. Rue!!!
Posted by: Trinny | 01/16/2012 at 09:45 AM
My gold is probably my ability to become silent and reflect on situations. This way, I can also go to God and see what needs to be done and I can see where I've gone wrong in a situation.
My frankincense is probably the fact that I can be a bit of a mother sometimes. I enjoy making and baking things for other people and I hope this brings them joy.
My myrrh is a lot of little things-constantly dreaming, writing poetry, listening to music, keeping my eyes on Jesus etc.
Posted by: Miriam | 01/16/2012 at 12:45 PM
Hi Girls!
Do you remember me? Goodness, it's been such a long time since I've posted, but I've continued to think about you all! With my last year in high school underway, it has been pretty busy around here. Because of that, I'd like to say I've been keeping up on all the comments and all the new girls, but I'm afraid I have not been. Forgive me?
That said, I am glad to be back to this wonderful place! :) I'll have to think about this post for a while, so perhaps I will have more to say on gifts and kings later tonight!
Blessings,
Wren
Posted by: Wren | 01/16/2012 at 04:09 PM
Wren!Wren! Heyya! Welcome back! Woot!
Posted by: Emii | 01/16/2012 at 06:24 PM
Wren!! Hi! I was just thinking about you a little bit ago! I wasn't sure if you'd already graduated, or were graduating this year!
I'm going to think about my answers a bit and then share later :]
Posted by: Paige | 01/16/2012 at 07:18 PM
Wow I haven't been here in the longest time.... I used to do the tween blog but now I'm a teen, so, well anyways...
1. The gold in my life is the ability to be joyful even in hard situations. Well...used to be. It really doesn't seem like I am anymore...I just get way overwhelmingly sad or stressed and totally ditch the idea of being happy whenever ANYTHING bad happens. But I'm still holding on to Jesus. Er, He's holding on to me. So, I guess that's my gold.
2. My franchanscense? I'm sort of sweet and nice to people. Even when they're mean to me. I try not to...I just can't help it!!! I used to be beaten up, but I was still sweet to those people, I still pray for them to get to know God...God loves them SO MUCH I just want them to realize that but anyways, yeah I don't know why I'm like that sometimes I wish I could just get mad at someone for once instead of feeling all sorry for them and praying for them everyday but I just sorta can't help it....hmmm.
3. My myrrh I think is when I think about God, how good He's been to me, He's been totally AWESOME when I've broken His heart a thousand times...and when I just think about that and praise Him and sing out to Him, I just sorta always forget about all my problems and the world for a small moment and just focus on my sweet Jesus. :) He's awesome. I just fall in love with Him...and instantly that heart of dirt and filth and ugliness is made pure and clean and beautiful by Jesus. :) I don't know why He loves me so much. I don't really deserve it. But anyways, so yeah. My myrrh would probably be when I praise Him. (:
Posted by: Joy | 01/17/2012 at 12:25 AM
Wren!!!! Yay, so glad to hear from you!! Can't wait to hear more on how you're doing. ;)
Joy, welcome!! So glad you've come back! :)
Posted by: Nicole | 01/17/2012 at 03:28 PM
Oh my gosh I am so sad I just realized my cheer comp. is on ALL 3 days of the retreat.No retreat for me :(
Posted by: Natalie | 01/17/2012 at 03:55 PM
Welcome back, Wren!
* My gold is my relationship with the Lord. Whenever I get down about something, I just remember that He is always with me and will never leave my side. I can just go to Him, anytime, anywhere, and pour it all out.
* My frankincense is like Joy's. I am friendly to everyone I see, and I think that boosts my confidence some when I'm down, and I like making others feel good.
* Journaling is my myrrh, also. Getting all my thoughts and feelings out on paper really helps me get rid of my worries and pressures of the world.
Have a GREAT time on your trip, Mrs. Rue! Can't wait for the blog party!!!
♥Love y'all and praying for you♥
Posted by: ♥♫LeXi♥♫ | 01/17/2012 at 05:47 PM
These are really hard questions! After some reflection, here are my answers:
Gold: My gold is two things. Dance, and my thinking that there's something better waiting. For me, dance is one of those things that's always there. I may not be the best at it, but I can go to a dance class and focus on corrections and things that I know how to change. For that 2 and a half hours or however long I'm there, I don't have to thing about whatever junk is going on. Also, I'm one of those people who always thinks that there's something better. I don't know if you could call that hope exactly, but even during that year where I was depressed and didn't want to do anything, there was a part of me that always, always knew there was something better coming.
Frankincense: My empathy. I feel like I'm a really good listener and am really good at putting myself in the other persons shoes. I may not always know what advice to give them, but I think I'm really good at knowing what people need. I think I read people well and can empathize with them. Sometimes this is a bad thing cause I hurt for people I can't help. But my Frankincense is definitely my empathy and caring.
Myrrh: The first thing I think of when I look at the word myrrh is what a weird word it is. I mean, what other word as two r's right next to each other? Ok, just had to say that :) I'm not entirely certain what my myrrh is. I think it's my journaling. I don't actually journal to much, but when I'm upset or have a lot going on, that's how I process it all. When I was thinking about it today I made a comparison between my journalling and something called a pensieve in Harry Potter. It holds thoughts and Dumbledore says he uses it to sort out his thoughts and make connections when it seems his head can't hold anymore thoughts. That's kind of how I journal, when I'm overwhelmed its the thing that helps me sort everything out and I always notice things I hadn't before.
Posted by: Melody | 01/17/2012 at 09:30 PM
Whew! :) Haven't been on in quite a bit. *laughs* Ahem, Trinny. XD Anyways...here's mine. :)
My gold. I think that would be my faith and my hope. Because no matter what, I really believe that God's, like, here for me. And no matter what, he won't abandon me. So like, whatever situation I'm in, no matter how tough it is and no matter how much I just want to give up, I have that little sliver of hope that God is with me, like, ALL the time. :)
My frankincense. Mm...I can make people laugh when they feel horrible sometimes, and...I don't know. I guess it would be my cheerfulness or looking on the bright side of things. Even in horrible situations, I can see the hope in them. Maybe not always, but I endeavor to do my best. :)
My myrrh. Reading. Reading the Bible, definitely, or Christian books, like, yes, Nancy's books ;), a book called Safely Home by Randy Alcorn which I liiiike :DD, and...yeah, books like that. They just keep me on track. Sometimes, after reading the Word or some other Christian book, it's like I suddenly snap to attention, and I suddenly aren't interested in what I was interested in, such as a computer game, going shopping for new clothes (materialism, sort of), etc. It just doesn't seem important anymore, you know? :)
Have a blessed time, Nancy! :DD <3 <3
Posted by: Bekah | 01/18/2012 at 05:59 AM
Hey Girls,
I've got a quick prayer request. My best friend's grandpa died of a heart attack yesterday. If you could just pray for her and her family. She's taking it really hard. I feel so bad for her and don't know how to help her.
Thanks!
Posted by: Therese | 01/18/2012 at 03:40 PM
I will definitely keep your friend and her family in my prayers, Therese. I am loving all yall's comments about gold, frankincense, and myrrh!!
♥Love y'all♥
Posted by: ♥♫LeXi♥♫ | 01/18/2012 at 05:04 PM
heyy gals hehe im posting cuz i have a small prayer request
recently i started "going out" with this guy...and it's like my first time ever having a boyfriend...but i really really really love him and im pretty sure he loves me too...but its just that i don't know for sure if God wants this relationship to be...and im not sure if i want to find out...if you guys could take just a little bit of time to pray for my relationship with the guy it would be the best seriously
and yes i feel a little ashamed to post this prayer request cuz it's not as serious as some of the others >.<
and of course i'll be praying for your friend and her family Therese
hehe fighting~!!(korean thing...it's positive LOL)
Posted by: Trinny | 01/19/2012 at 10:10 AM
hey yall,
I would have to say my gold would be my faith in God. When ever i feel upset or something i just pray to God anf the faith i have in him helps me to trust him. my frankinsense is im a good listener when my friends have problems they usually tell me and i listen and pray with them. my Myrrh is reading Nancy's books. for real, i just go into my room and grab an old sophie or lily book, even though im too old for them, and sit down and read for hours. praying is also my Myrrh. well, i gtg!!! btw nancy, im in Houston, Texas right now on vacation! (i just thought it was cool)and ill be praying for you Trinny. i hope it all works out with you and that guy!
Love yall so much!!!!
Posted by: Avery | 01/19/2012 at 05:06 PM
Could you girls pray for me? I'm leaving tomorrow for an audition for Ballet Magnificat's trainee company. I'm flying for the first time alone, giving me testimony for the first time, staying with someone I don't know outside of texting and facebook, and auditioning with a bunch of people who I'm afraid will be better than me. So, I'm kind of freaking out a bit. Please pray for peace and confidence. Thanks girls, praying for everyone :)
Posted by: Melody | 01/24/2012 at 09:53 PM