His chosen

My Father said, as I sat in silence:

I have called you

and set you apart

and you not longer "fit"

in the world around you, no

not even the "Christian" wrld

for many call themselves by My name

but their hearts are far from Me

I know you feel the distance

and discomfort

you do not "fit in"

your edges are rubbed raw

allow Me to soothe and smooth

the rough places

but do not expect that to make you

a better fit

you are odd by design

by My hand

for My purposes

in My Kingdom

the world also did not welcome Me

but you carry My message

for this you were chosen

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

 a holy nation, God’s own people, 

that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him 

who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

not writing

there is a stirring in my spirit

aching, itching

a deep knowing

I am missing the one thing

I am meant to do

designed for, gifted

and chosen

I have been called

to proclaim

to create

to write

1 Corinthians 13 turns 

in my mind, twisted

if I have not words

I am nothing

 

chosen first

It isn't that I needed to be first

waiting to be chosen for teams, projects, friendships

I always recognized that there were others who were

smarter

prettier

more agile 

with talents I would never possess

I didn't have to be number one

so I would wait

not even knowing I was holding all that expectation

like air I wasn't breathing

its okay to not be first

but please, oh please

don't let me be last

the worst of the worst

the icon, the idol of ridicule

the one forced upon 

unwanted

just let me be in the middle somewhere

not sticking out like a untold joke

as another school year resumes

take a moment to remember those days

pray for the unwelcome

for the bullied

and the brutal

may they know

they are each and all
chosen first

in the eyes of Him Who created us all

linking with Lisa-Jo today where the word is last

 

Behind the Veils of Yemen by Audra Grace Shelby

There are nations and peoples that I know nothing of, so I jumped at the opportunity to read Audra Grace Shelby's new book Behind the Veils of Yemen - How an American Woman Risked Her life, Family and Faith to Bring Jesus to Muslim Women.

Reading the excerpt paragraph on the back cover, I found myself transported:

Women began to arrive in the entry hall, peeling away their black outer coverings. I watched in amazement as shimmering bodies emerged from the black shrouds. One woman sparkled in a purple silk caftan, her arms gleaming with gold jewelry. I smiled to myself. If people only knew what was under those veils. I looked at their faces, artfully painted with makeup, not at all how they appeared in public: dark eyes in narrow black slits. They were like the beauties of Arab folklore. I was awed by the transformation.

Through each page of her story, Shelby painted pictures with her words helping me to experience with all of my senses what she saw, heard, smelled and tasted.  Not only was she able to share what she learned about the hearts of the women she lived among, she enabled me to care for them as well.

This was no back patting scorecard of the number of souls she was able to save, like some missionary tales.  In fact, there is no mention of any of the women actually making a decision to follow Christ.  Instead, the reader is allowed access to Shelby's heart; her questions, fears, doubts and love for the people of Yemen.  We are also able to glimpse God heart for the same people.  Shelby scattered seeds of love and prayer everywhere she went.

Her story read very much like a novel and I was almost disappointed to come to the ending pages.  I encourage you to pick up a copy and take this journey behind the veils.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions I have shared are my own.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group