Is He My Prince? - Finding A Prince In A World Filled With Fakes

Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty- they all found their princes, their one in a million. But what about me? How do I find my prince? How do I know if He's the one?

How do I find my prince in a world full of fake? To find the real in a thousand knock-offs and pretenders? Good question. If you been reading this blog for a while you probably noticed our post Seven Ways To Know He's Not Prince Charming. In it we broke down what a prince charming does and doesn't look like, so today we are going to talk about finding him. 

Imagine a man so focused on God that the only reason he saw you is because God said "That's her". Prince Charming will never be the guy that chases everything in a skirt, that bullies people into doing something wrong, that takes pleasure in hurting others. 

Have you seen the meme floating around the internet, chase God with all your heart and if someone catches up introduce yourself. Prince charming is the guy so focused, so in tune to God- that everything else is in the background- until God makes your paths collide.

Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? Amos 3:3

I was at at a luncheon a few years back, and a missionary was speaking. She said something I found really interesting. Make a list of what you want, then become that list. Become what you are looking for, then you'll be drawn to the same kind of people.

Put it in His hands- don't worry about that friend who has found hers or that one who just broke up and already has a new guy. Focus on Him. Dance with Him, chase Him and when your ready He will let the perfect one take over.

10 Tips For Surviving Long Distance Friendships

Around 5 or 6 years ago my dearest friends moved away. We'd practically grown up together, almost every summer memory was with them. From making a homemade slip in slide on the front hill, to writing a play. It wasn't like they just moved to another house, they moved half way around the world. We found ourselves in a sort of dance, fighting time zones, crazy schedules, and spotty internet. Sometimes we would instant message for hours, sometimes all we got to type was "I miss you,".

Related Post: 9 Ways To Know If My Friendship Healthy

I'll be honest, it was hard. The next time they were back in the states we had a lot of learning to do about each other. So how do you survive? Patience. Lots and lots of patience.
Fill a notebook with letters, pictures of you guys together etc. once it's filled send it to them. My friends moved to Africa, so we put together a care package and send it with groups of missionaries going over.

• When you do get to talk, be honest. Ask questions, tell them what's on your heart.
• Take full advantage of video chats! I love how Facebook has given us this option, when the internet is functioning properly we spend hours talking to each other. It's so good to hear each other's voices and when able see each other.
• Leave quick instant messages for each other, even if it's just "thinking of you", "Miss you" or"Praying for you". They'll know you haven't forgotten them.
• Don't leave all of the reaching out to the other person. Give and take. This is how friendship is supposed to be.
• Make time for the other person- even if you have to get up a little earlier or stay up a little later.
• Don't do all the talking, be there for the other person. Sometimes we need a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on- even if it's an ocean away.
• Come up with things that you can do together, even when you aren't next to each other. Like read the same book, or write a story together. Be creative.
• Come up with a bucket list of things to do when you are together again.
• Pray. Pray that if it's His will your friendship will remain strong, that He will strengthen your friendship.

Set Your Plans Before Him

This is the month of weddings, graduations- new beginnings, big plans and adventures. For those of you graduating- like me, your making lots of plans. For some of you, you have college right around the corner. Maybe somewhere down deep you're wondering if you'll fail. I think to some degree we're all scared of failure, failing, making a "fool" of ourselves. I think we have a little too much to prove- mostly to ourselves.

Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

No matter how nicely I lay out my plans, I always run the chance of failing- I know, I HATE to fail. But it's only through failure that we learn. It stretches, pushes, humbles us and forces us to see that our plans aren't His.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Set your plans before Him, and trust Him. Even if his plans don't look like yours, it will be worth it. I'd rather look like a fool for Him, than on my own- how about you?

His plans are far greater than anything that you and I could come up with. He wants to use you in ways, you've never dreamed of. Right about now you're wondering how you set your plans before Him, the answer is simple. Pray, pray, pray and then pray some more. Then Listen. Talk to people who are strong Christians, and know you. Learn to listen not just with your ears, but with your heart- even when the answer isn't something you want to hear.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Dear Graduating Class

Dear graduating class, 

You made it! Congratulations! For the last 12 years, you pushed through and now you’re here. But this isn’t the end of the journey, far from it. It's only the beginning! Now you get to tackle those mountains, to be the change people shout for- you are the future! You. You will change the world, one breath, one choice, one step at a time.

With graduation, comes advice. I’ll bet you have it being thrown at you from all sides, some good, some -ahem- different. Don’t worry I’m not going to throw in my two cents, but I am going to share someone else’s with you.  

Proverbs Chapter 4

My children, listen when your father corrects you.
Pay attention and learn good judgment,
 for I am giving you good guidance.
Don’t turn away from my instructions.
 For I, too, was once my father’s son,
tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
 My father taught me,
“Take my words to heart.
Follow my commands, and you will live.
 Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
  Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
Love her, and she will guard you.
  Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.
  If you prize wisdom, she will make you great.
Embrace her, and she will honor you.
 She will place a lovely wreath on your head;
she will present you with a beautiful crown."
My child, listen to me and do as I say,
and you will have a long, good life.
  I will teach you wisdom’s ways
and lead you in straight paths.
 When you walk, you won’t be held back;
when you run, you won’t stumble.
  Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life.
 Don’t do as the wicked do,
and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
  Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
Turn away and keep moving.
  For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.
They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
  They eat the food of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence!
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.
  But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.
My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.
  Don’t lose sight of them.
Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
  for they bring life to those who find them,
and healing to their whole body.
 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.
 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
  Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
  Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil.

I think he says it all. Stick to the path He has set before you. Reach for the stars, chase the dreams He has laid on your heart. I believe in you! Even when you fail- I believe in you! You have the potential for great things. You can do anything.

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ~ Mae West

Don’t be afraid to try new things, to step out of your comfort zone and be stretched. Dance in the rain, climb the mountains- but mostly, trust Him.

On Being A Lady - Party Manners

Alright, Cinderella, so you're going to your first ball (ok probably not) what do you do. Ever cringe while watching movies where Americans are with royals?

So today let's cover some basic table manners.

1. Don't be loud or wild and encourage others to treat your friends home with respect. If you break something, clean it up and replace the item if possible with a new one.

2. If you make a mess clean it up, offer to clean up and help with the dishes if that is the format for the event.

3. Don't dunk your food twice in the dip, no matter how good that dip was. Double dipping is very rude.

4. When at the table eating always keep your elbows in at the table and do not put them on the table.

5. Use your napkin. Unfold (don't snap your not a magician performing an act.) your napkin and place it on your lap.

6. Don't lick your knife or your fingers (OK, maybe only if it is Bbq. and you are at a casual picnic but use your napkin please).

7. Don't take the biggest thing on the serving plate or take too much. There are other people that are there and hungry take others into account. If it is a buffet type of event, don't rush in but let others go before you.

8. When the butter is passed, take some with a butter knife and place it on your plate by the rim and use that butter for your bread or roll.

9. Complement the meal but don't over exaggerate or embarrass your host or date. Don't say this is the best chicken I have ever eaten. Roses chicken is always so dry but this is the best in the world. Don't tear someone down to lift up another (and never compare it to your mother's)

10. Thank your host or hostess for the meal.

11. Do not leave without thanking your host or hostess.

12. It is also nice to drop a note in the mail thanking them again and telling your friends how much you enjoyed their event.