Born with an innate and fallen predisposition to selfishness, we consistently make choices in which we will benefit most. As Christmas approaches and nights are quickly filled with holiday plans and parties, we nonchalantly turn down invitations to social gatherings that we do not “feel” like attending. Rather than acknowledging the kindness and hospitality of the host/hostess and even momentarily stopping by for a merry chitchat, we dismiss the notion of considering attending and plan to make an appearance at a different event that will more be more personally gratifying. The decision is purely selfish as we risk marring the relationship with a friend, family member or coworker so that we can heighten our social status or surround ourselves with the “in” crowd. As the number of invitations you decline increases, the number of invitations correspondingly dwindle down.
In the same way, God has divinely invited you to join Him in the eternally directed work He is already accomplishing around you. The absolute goal for God’s activity in your life is for you to come to know him more authentically. He desires you to take part in every task, whether grand or minute. Authors of “Experiencing God,” Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King warn, “Do not rule out any assignment, large or small, on the basis of your preconceived ideas.”
Your preconceived, and often inaccurate, perceptions will inhibit you from fully experiencing the joy-filled, rock-solid, glorious plan God has ordained over your life. As you obey the tasks God entrusts you with and as your character is molded by those experiences, God will lead you larger assignments. Every invitation to join Him is an opportunity to someday hear the words in Matthew 25:21, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
What will you do with your heavenly invitation? Will you dismiss it because you believe it is less significant than that of another individual? Or, will you leap in, head first, trusting God’s provision over your life and knowing that, in the process, this task is much more than an assignment. Your divine invite to contribute in God’s work is your corridor to a more genuine, exciting relationship with the King of the Universe.
Love wholly, live fully, rejoice daily.
Kels
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Invitation from a Friend
An adolescent girl, aged 14, stared in the mirror with anger. She blamed her father for the freckles and her mother for the thunder thighs. “Grotesque,” she whispered under her breath. With a disdain-filled heart and a broken, trembling soul, she made the first small slice across her wrist. A crimson drop splattered to the floor. The voice of a friend wisped through her tumbling curls.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you strength.”
The same young girl, four lonely and confused years later, accepts a party invitation from the senior football player at her university. She does not drink. She has not had sex. Yet. Her only desire? Acceptance. To feel beautiful. “Only this once,” she justifies as he slides her jacket off her shoulders, dropping it to the floor. Mr. Suave knows what he is after tonight. From the backseat of his car, that old friend softly speaks.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you value.”
Now a grown woman with her MBA, she rapidly climbs the corporate ladder. Her conscience has long been shredded and entirely disregarded. For the promotion, she lies. For the bonus, she steals. Money and fame have buried her under a woolen blanket of loneliness and greed. Alcohol never lets her down. She returns to the bottle night after night, to soothe her aching, lifeless soul. From the darkness, she hears,
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will bring you success.”
The solemn silence settles in the immaculate hospital room. No husband, no children. She lies along, dying. Questioning eternity or the lack there of, the nurse knocks and enters. She smiles warmly, bringing a blinding burst of sunshine into the icy room. Routine. It is time for vitals. The nurse gently clasps the woman’s soft, pale hand and gazes deep into her eyes. She does not have to speak a word.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you rest.”
The woman, no longer able to verbally communicate, slowly nods her head in complete acceptance. With her last breath, her tired eyelids curtain her eyes and the tension in her muscles subsides. The nurse knows. She is at home with her Father, her Daddy, her One True Love.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you strength.”
The same young girl, four lonely and confused years later, accepts a party invitation from the senior football player at her university. She does not drink. She has not had sex. Yet. Her only desire? Acceptance. To feel beautiful. “Only this once,” she justifies as he slides her jacket off her shoulders, dropping it to the floor. Mr. Suave knows what he is after tonight. From the backseat of his car, that old friend softly speaks.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you value.”
Now a grown woman with her MBA, she rapidly climbs the corporate ladder. Her conscience has long been shredded and entirely disregarded. For the promotion, she lies. For the bonus, she steals. Money and fame have buried her under a woolen blanket of loneliness and greed. Alcohol never lets her down. She returns to the bottle night after night, to soothe her aching, lifeless soul. From the darkness, she hears,
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will bring you success.”
The solemn silence settles in the immaculate hospital room. No husband, no children. She lies along, dying. Questioning eternity or the lack there of, the nurse knocks and enters. She smiles warmly, bringing a blinding burst of sunshine into the icy room. Routine. It is time for vitals. The nurse gently clasps the woman’s soft, pale hand and gazes deep into her eyes. She does not have to speak a word.
“Little girl, my precious girl, please come to me and rest.
For my plans for your life surpass your wildest dreams.
Please take my hand and let me lead, my darling, sweet child.
I am your Father, your Daddy, your One True Love. Stick with me and I will give you rest.”
The woman, no longer able to verbally communicate, slowly nods her head in complete acceptance. With her last breath, her tired eyelids curtain her eyes and the tension in her muscles subsides. The nurse knows. She is at home with her Father, her Daddy, her One True Love.
Friday, December 3, 2010
My Oath
I, Kelsey RaeAnn Clevenger, daughter of David and Debbie, sister of Kristen, Davey, and Kevin, solemnly swear to keep up with my blog in a more timely and responsible manner. I promise to write more and post more till death do I part from technology and blogspot. I will cherish my passion to write and share the words that the Lord places on my heart.
The End.
The End.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem refers to the appraisal of oneself. It is not genetic, yet a learned behavior. Do I measure up? Am I good enough? Both are internal questions commonly asked by most individuals. The Dove Self-Esteem Awareness Measurement conducted a study in 2008, evaluating the levels of self-esteem of American girls. The results were astounding.
High self-esteem builds a solid foundation for life while low self-esteem is linked to self induced injury and other negative behaviors. The Dove study found that sixty-seven percent of girls in Seattle believe they do not measure up, whether in appearance, performance, or relationships. Sixty-two percent of girls in Seattle admitted to engaging in negative activities (i.e. disordered eating, cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking) when feeling poorly about themselves.
Looking back on the past decade, I can pinpoint several experiences that probably aided in my self-esteem. Did the outspoken kid in fourth grade who called me a water buffalo affect my view of myself? And what about time I was told that no one wanted to be my friend because I was the “fat, new kid” at school? These instances sound trivial now, but at the time, it was catastrophic and heart breaking.
Rather than dwelling on the past and crying over silly comments from mean kids, I want to focus on how we can build up the young people in our lives. Regardless of how a parent or sibling attempts to protect children, they are going to be influenced by the things peers say and do. What YOU say and do at home will make a huge difference.
Here are some ideas:
1. Tell the young girls in your life every single reason why you love her, focusing most on her character. Is she funny? Does she enjoy helping others? Is she a good friend?
2. Compliment the young boys in your life. Is he generous? A gentleman? Tell him how you appreciate his helpfulness.
3. Send inspiring text messages to your girlfriends. Tell her how special she is and how much you value your friendship. Plan a day to do her favorite activity.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
I Thessalonians 5:11
Today, encourage the people in your life. Build them up, help them become everything God intended them to be.
Love wholly. Life fully. Rejoice daily.
Kels
High self-esteem builds a solid foundation for life while low self-esteem is linked to self induced injury and other negative behaviors. The Dove study found that sixty-seven percent of girls in Seattle believe they do not measure up, whether in appearance, performance, or relationships. Sixty-two percent of girls in Seattle admitted to engaging in negative activities (i.e. disordered eating, cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking) when feeling poorly about themselves.
Looking back on the past decade, I can pinpoint several experiences that probably aided in my self-esteem. Did the outspoken kid in fourth grade who called me a water buffalo affect my view of myself? And what about time I was told that no one wanted to be my friend because I was the “fat, new kid” at school? These instances sound trivial now, but at the time, it was catastrophic and heart breaking.
Rather than dwelling on the past and crying over silly comments from mean kids, I want to focus on how we can build up the young people in our lives. Regardless of how a parent or sibling attempts to protect children, they are going to be influenced by the things peers say and do. What YOU say and do at home will make a huge difference.
Here are some ideas:
1. Tell the young girls in your life every single reason why you love her, focusing most on her character. Is she funny? Does she enjoy helping others? Is she a good friend?
2. Compliment the young boys in your life. Is he generous? A gentleman? Tell him how you appreciate his helpfulness.
3. Send inspiring text messages to your girlfriends. Tell her how special she is and how much you value your friendship. Plan a day to do her favorite activity.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
I Thessalonians 5:11
Today, encourage the people in your life. Build them up, help them become everything God intended them to be.
Love wholly. Life fully. Rejoice daily.
Kels
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Great Race
Each day, we run a race.
There is the race against time, shuffling children from school to practice and home for dinner and bed. Or cramming complex topics that should have been learned over the previous weeks in preparation for the final exam. It’s diploma time! And what about this race against ‘father time’. We methodically apply the latest anti-aging creams and schedule plastic surgery consultations. “A nip here, a tuck there. Then I will be content.”
Each day, we run a race.
We run for fame. We fun for beauty. We run for money and success. We are in fist-fighting competition to be the happiest, the best.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24-27
Which race are you running? Do you go into strict and monotonous dieting to attain the next smaller dress size? Do you beat your body aimlessly for the prospect of climbing the professional ladder? Run for a true and everlasting cause. The tangible will fade and disappear. We only get a single opportunity to live with intentional purpose. The race in which you run will become your mark in this world. How will you be remembered? What race will be your legacy?
Love wholly. Live fully. Rejoice daily.
Kels
There is the race against time, shuffling children from school to practice and home for dinner and bed. Or cramming complex topics that should have been learned over the previous weeks in preparation for the final exam. It’s diploma time! And what about this race against ‘father time’. We methodically apply the latest anti-aging creams and schedule plastic surgery consultations. “A nip here, a tuck there. Then I will be content.”
Each day, we run a race.
We run for fame. We fun for beauty. We run for money and success. We are in fist-fighting competition to be the happiest, the best.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24-27
Which race are you running? Do you go into strict and monotonous dieting to attain the next smaller dress size? Do you beat your body aimlessly for the prospect of climbing the professional ladder? Run for a true and everlasting cause. The tangible will fade and disappear. We only get a single opportunity to live with intentional purpose. The race in which you run will become your mark in this world. How will you be remembered? What race will be your legacy?
Love wholly. Live fully. Rejoice daily.
Kels
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