Mama said there'd be days like this...

Today was one of the hardest days of my life.

We all go through struggles, different ones. But sometimes you have that one day when you feel as if the wind has just been knocked out of you.

That was me today. It's amazing how one moment can seem to turn your life upside down and it's so easy to react, slipping into Darwin's survival of the fittest.

But, mama said there would be days like this, and so- in that moment- I had to remember who loves me most, who loves me best, who loves me always: JESUS. You see, we all come to that point in our walk where faith is no longer a choice/option/something outside of us, but part of our physiological make-up- like the need to breathe. Spiritual growth is not child's play and the closer you walk with God, the more challenges you will face because His Destiny is guiding you. At times it will take everything inside of you not to give up and you have to remind your soul that God is always for you.

That's when holding on to hold onto God's promises become not an option, but a reality.
"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

So, this is my note to you "live" from the valley. I do not know what you may be going through right now: emotionally, physically, psychologically, financially or even spiritually- BUT I know a God who is able to pull you through it all and bring you through to the other side VICTORIOUSLY. I met Him when I was eight and He has NEVER failed me yet :)

Yes, mama said there'd be days like this- and Jesus would bring us through them all:)

"The LORD your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with His love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy."

#Zephaniah3:17

#TrustHim #GodCAN
 
PS. Jesus really adores you!  



Take Care:)

©2013 Allison Marche' Pillay

I'm not your SUPERWOMAN (>_<)

Morning Ladies ('00,)

Does anyone remember that song by Karyn White back in the late 80's with the same title as my blog today? I'll refresh your memory with a few lyrics:

"Early in the morning I put breakfast at your table,
I make sure that your coffee has it's sugar and cream"

Is the memory becoming clearer now? I remember my aunts' listening to it and crooning out the verse, " now you say the juice is sour, it used to be so sweet", and thinking to myself, "Lady, that's 'cos you didn't check the expiry date!" Lol. Childhood innocence.

Well, today, I wanted to shine the spotlight a bit on the "Superwoman" mentality pervading our society. Yes, this is the information age, and most woman are free to achieve much more than our predecessors did. We can vote, work, raise kids and raise profits in international companies while fighting for causes and still look good while doing it. Or can we? 

Are we fighting so hard to maintain an ideal that has been thrust upon us by the Cosmopolitan and Vogue magazines out there, that we are floundering to look the part? Act the part? Sound the part? Are we trying to "do it all", forgetting that it is "not by might or power, but by His Spirit"? [Zechariah 4:6].

The pressures to look like a Hollywood wife, or Milan model extends worldwide to places like South Africa- and even here- local celebrities' lives are swathed in an air of scandal and negativity. While, I am not judging their choices, I am asking the crucial question: "When did their lives become our standard?" The truth is that most celebrities and models crack under the pressure of trying to maintain their lives. The irony however, is that while we are aspiring to become like them, (have it all, do it all)- they are falling apart.

Yet God in His grace has already provided the standard for us:
Proverbs 31. 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+31&version=NIV

This epic passage describes exactly what a modern Christian woman should look like. In fact, I wonder how many rich and famous/fast and furious iconic woman out there have come into contact with these liberating verses? To summarise, it describes a virtuous, God-fearing, independent young woman who is a good wife, mother, friend, businesswoman and citizen. So much so, that, "...her works bring her praise at the city gate." [v31]

Below are a few verses that really stand out for me, with relevance to today's society and our role as Christian women. 

A Proverbs 31 Woman:

- Is entrepreneurial [v16]
"She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard." 

- Is socially relevant [v20]
"She opens her hands to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."

- Has faith in God and trusts in His Divine provision [v25]
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

- Is industrious and shows concern for her loved ones- not self-absorbed [v27]
" She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."


 - Is a faithful friend and good role model to young women [v26]
"She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
 
 - Puts God first in all she does. Through the Holy Spirit, cultivates inner beauty and character while caring for her health, fitness and well-being [v30]
"Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." 



I once heard it said that, "Being a woman does not make you a better Christian, but being a Christian does make you a better woman." We are to be the standard for a generation of lost, confused, hurting and broken women out there. We don't have to be "Superwoman"; we are already Princesses, with VIP access to Heaven through Jesus Christ. May we as women, therefore look only to God, to become all that we can be (and more!):
For His Glory, and our good.


 

The "S" on my chest stands for SPIRIT: The one and only, who's HOLY;
without Him- I cannot do it!
 

Until then...

Keep becoming His Best

© 2012 Allison Pillay

 

The Single Lady & The Abundant Life

All My Single-Ladies,

Don't put your hands up. I know how you feel. He didn't put a ring on it, or maybe he did, then changed his mind. Or maybe you're still waiting for "him". Uh, uh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Are you one of those just going through the hum-drum of life, waiting for "him" to appear and life to suddenly take flight? Well, are you?

Wake Up!! There's a whole lot of life to live and a whole lot of people to love! The abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10 is not just to be lived at a specific time or season- but continually in our walk with Him. Whether single or married, business-woman or housewife, we are called to live the abundant life in Jesus Christ. See, the abundant life is not dependant on our circumstances: past, present or future, but on the goodness of a loving, faithful, supernatural God.

When I was younger (than I am now!) and used to do school evangelism, I remember encouraging other teens not to wait until they were older before choosing Jesus. Many of them said," I'll serve Jesus, after college", or " I want to experience life first". Well, those who chose to do life before Christ, found it to be a shallow experience filled with much confusion, and in time soon discovered that indeed Christ is Life!  You see, they had initially thought that if they waited for life to be just perfect, that would be the best time to serve Jesus. How often do we sometimes think that way?

For those of you who know and love me :), you are well acquainted with my culinary creations and passion for cooking. It is a past-time that helps me to relax, unwind and unleash my creativity on hungry participants! Yet, I must admit that my greatest reward often comes from seeing those I love enjoy the meal. Which begs the question from many a nosy aunt (because yes, I am part Indian), "So nice curry you make! When you gonna find a nice, nice husband?"  Umm, and that's my cue.... "Dessert anyone?"

Well, to be honest, many a single sister has often asked the same question, "When, Lord?". If fact, we can sometimes get so caught up in the eternal angst that we inevitably put our lives on hold. Instead of living life abundantly- we put our desires, dreams and ultimately destiny on hold for "One Day".

In "Lady in Waiting" by Jackie Kendall and Debbie Jones, I came across one such story of a young lady- who in anticipation of her prince arriving one day- had packed away all her treasured items. In fact, she used to eat all meals on a paper plate! One day, God told her to set out her finest china and crystal for dinner and to continue doing so. Each night, she ate dinner, not from a paper plate- but from fine china, as the precious Princess that she was. 

Guess what? In time her hosting skills grew and one day (read the book to find out how :O), her dreams came true!

You see, the abundant life is all about enjoying God now. Just where you are: Loving God and living Life to the fullest.  Remember: You are LOVED, You are CHOSEN, You are WANTED! So don't hold back and wait for the perfect moment- but dive right in! Father God is waiting to lead you onto the Adventure of a lifetime- Yours!

Chicken Tagliatelle with a Creamy Pesto-Parma sauce and home-made Garlic Crostini- Bon' Apetite! [Recipe available on request ;D]


 
Till then...

Keep Becoming His Best


© 2012 Allison Pillay

WhO dO YoU tHiNk YoU ARE???

Welcome friends,

It's the end of another great week and God has indeed been FAITHFUL :)
In fact, He has surpassed my expectations!

Do you know what's my favorite attribute of God? Besides of course His Faithfulness, Awesome Power and Incredible Love? It's His ability to always show up. Every time. Especially, when we need Him. And we always do.. :)
 
Did you know that God knows absolutely everything about you? Every minute detail of your life, every whispered prayer? Even those things that we think He won't understand- because He is God and seems so far removed from the troubles of this world? He listens, He hears, He feels: With you, For you.

His plans for you are good. REALLY GOOD. REALLY, REALLY GOOD. :)
Can you believe it? God doesn't just love you- He actually likes you! Just as you are! Isn't that incredible!

When we begin to see ourselves through the eyes of a kind, caring, compassionate Father, we begin to see- to understand who we truly are. We find our purpose and align ourselves with God's opinion of us and His authority over us. We are empowered to walk in that authority through Jesus, and heaven's angels begin to recognise and respond to us as God's own children. The words of God in Jesus' mouth have the same power when we speak them. Therefore: Heaven pays attention when we speak the Word of God over and into our lives, families and nations.

"Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14)

As believers in His Son we become the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Basically, God sees Jesus, living in us, through us, for Him. 

"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Something wonderful happens when we actually BELIEVE God's opinion of us: We begin to walk in agreement with Him. And we know that agreement, or unity of mind and purpose is a powerful tool. Throughout generations, alliances have brought down kingdoms and built empires. Imagine then, what could happen when we start to agree with The Great I Am?

The word symphony is derived from Greek συμφωνία (symphonia), meaning "agreement or concord of sound".

 

When we agree with God's perception of us- two sounds become one. One beautiful melody resounding into the halls of Eternity. We align the instrument of our life with God as our composer, and follow His notes so that we too can sing the sweeter song of Destiny. 

Heaven is waiting; Earth is groaning for the sons of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19)

We are ambassadors of Heaven, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17)

We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. 
(Romans 8:37)

Let's begin to think and act and live in agreement with who God says we are.

Who do you think you are?

Here's a link to remind you: 
http://www.joycemeyer.org/articles/ea.aspx?article=knowing_who_i_am_in_christ

Until later ...

Keep Becoming His Best
 
© 2012 Allison Pillay
 
 

Hello, Hola, Sanbonani, Aloha- Welcome!

Hi, and welcome to a New Day!

If you're anything like me (and chances are if you're human- you probably are!) then you're a little bit curious as to what's in store!

Well, I'll end your misery. This is my blog about how God is about to change my life, and hopefully yours forever!!

I have come across many blogs for young Christians, married and single- but I want this one to be different. Why? Simply because, I am writing from A REAL PLACE. A place where God wants to Be Glorified.

Today, I am a single Princess, tomorrow I may be on a missions trip in the Amazon- but right now, I am Becoming God's Best. Won't you join me?

 Let's Go!!

Today's message is on Singleness- Hot topic of the month!
We are going to redefine this word and give Singleness a make-over :)

  Below is a great link to an interview with Janet Folger about being your Best!

http://www.cbn.com/family/datingsingles/bagby-janetfolger0304.aspx



- Till Later 

Be His Best!

@EShet Chayil*

"Joy comes in the morning, ready to lift you up to a new place of rest in Him"
© 2012 Allison Pillay