**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**
As a girl, what comes to mind when you think of success? With a lot of people, it's fame. Famous actresses, famous politicians, even ladies who are famous for ungodly things draw lots of attention from the world around them. As much as we hate to admit it, our world's point of view is all too simple: Attention = Success. But in order to be the women God made us to be, we must steer clear of this thinking.
So if success isn't fame and attention, then what is it? Let's see what the dictionary has to say about it.
Success: (noun)
1. The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
2.The attainment of popularity or profit.
The second definition points the finger right at gaining "popularity or profit." But what if I told you this one wasn't God's definition, either? I'd say Jesus was pretty successful, and He didn't have a lot of either of those things. So now that that one's out of the way, let's focus on Definition #2: "The accomplishment of an aim or purpose." This here is much closer to what we're looking for, but it depends on how you look at it. Now's the time to ask yourself, "What is my aim or purpose? Am I focused on the world's deceptive view of what I need to accomplish, or am I studying God's Word and looking for what He wants me to do?" I can tell you that in my fourteen years, I've done a lot of both. It's hard to stay on track for God when the popular thing to do is to go the opposite way. But one thing is for sure: no matter what you're doing, if God's in it, it has to be better. Because His definition is way more accurate than Merriam and Webster could ever dream of being.
Success: (true meaning)
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose of God's divine Plan for one's life.
If you're following God's Will, you are successful. Even if the rest of the world can't see it, He can, and that's all that really matters. So bring glory to Him daily and work hard to please Him in everything you do. Success is best when you do your part and let Him handle the rest!
Oh, this show. If you are not familiar with Toddlers & Tiaras, here is a little video of only one of the hundreds of girls that are featured.
Now I could talk about outfits, hair, makeup, and parenting methodologies. Or the exploitation of little ones as no more than the objects of lustful ambitions. I could talk about money and the disillusion of beauty, but I'm not.
But what I will talk about is the Diva Syndrome.
If you watch any of these shows for long, you'll find that most of these little girls are on a quest to become divas. They have the world revolve around them -- from their princess palace rooms to the staff of four or more who dress them, train them to walk, sculpt their wigs and hair, and bribe them when they are tired and don't want to perform. Their parents, families, and staff believe they are setting up the girls for success, giving them all they want.
But what type of success are they after? Many parents say they're involved to give confidence to their little princess. The argument is you will not get anywhere in life without beauty, but what does scripture say?
Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.
~ Proverbs 18:12
From scripture we know that we should desire to shape a giving heart rather than strive to be the center of attention. But let's be honest. These attitudes don't just come from being a beauty queen. Pride can creep into ANYTHING we are doing. It creeps into the piano recital, the test you aced, or the table scape you decorated. Does this mean we should never strive for greatness -- that we should just sit down and slide by for humility's sake? Absolutely not! We need to strive to please Christ in whatever we are doing. Focusing on Him takes the attention off of us, or at the very least, keeps us grounded when fame flashes its camera our way.
So... maybe these divas are in need of something greater than a bigger crown or an attitude check, but instead of casting blame and judgment on these families, reflect on what is going on in your heart. Have the little seeds of pride and the longing to be famous at any cost crept in? The cost of fame is much too high for the cost of our souls and the eternity to come. So let's take off our plastic tiaras -- God tells us He is giving us crowns someday, and those crowns we will triumphantly lay at His feet.
Most of the cleaning products that line the shelves of our local grocery store are anything but natural. Dyes, harsh perfumes, and chemicals are just a few of the ingredients in most cleaning solutions. They are bad for us to breathe, are dangerous for our skin, and bad for the environment. Below I have listed several natural cleaning products that are safe for us and the environment. Many of them can now be found at the local grocery store.
Finding classic heels can be a challenge when platform nonsense is the style, but nothing says feminine like a pretty pair of pumps. These fit the bill for style and budget (plus free shipping both ways).
**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**
Make your family a special dessert this weekend to show them how much you love them!
Chocolate or Carob Dipped Strawberries*
-1 cup dark chocolate (or carob) chips
-2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
-4 cups strawberries with stems washed and dried
Over a double boiler add the dark chocolate (or carob chips) and coconut oil. Whisk until smooth and chips have completely melted. Remove from heat. Using the stem of the strawberries as a handle, dip the strawberries ¾ of the way into the sauce. Allow excess chocolate to drip off before placing onto a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Allow to dry/harden on countertop or refrigerate for 15 minutes.
On the subject of love you might wonder how to best show the people in your life how you appreciate them. And how you best respond to someone who appreciates you! The 5 Love Languages has been very helpful in my family in learning how to show you really love someone.
**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**
One of our sponsors, Reflect Visual Arts, is giving these printable Valentine's cards! Share them with your father and mother as a special way to express your love!
Just copy and paste into a Word document and print on cardstock!
I get excited when Valentine's comes around! Not because I receive chocolates, hearts, stuffed bears, or cards from an admiring fellow, but because I love talking about love.
Please be warned this is not another blog post about "loving yourself" or "waiting for love." This is a post about loving, love, and giving love unconditionally!
Now, if you're thinking about love as the Disney type or the romantic comedy, then you don't really love love. Why? Because you really don't understand love. You might understand an imitation, but this fraudulent love is not the same. Guess what? I don't understand true love, either, because to truly understand love would be to truly understand God, for He is love.
Did you grasp that? God is love!
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God islove, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
I John 1:16
He must be a great lover because He loved us so greatly and passionately that while we were still haters of Him, the Holy Spirit pursued us! One of my favorite songs puts it pretty perfectly.
love I made it mine
I made it small I made it blind
I followed hard only to find
it wasn't love
it wasn't love
love of songs and pen
oh love of movie endings
takes out the break
leaves out the bend
misses love
love not of you
love not of me
come hold us up
come set us free
not as we know it
but as it can be
love's reality
is not a passing bravery
it holds out hope beyond what's seen
the hope of love
love not of you
love not of me
come hold us up
come set us free
not as we know it
but as it can be
"Love not as we know it, but as it can be." Wow. If we got beyond paper hearts and candy and found out what it truly is, what would we find? I think it would be a lot of giving of ourselves -- opening our hearts and sharing the burdens of others, not for personal gain. Scripture identifies love.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogantor rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Instead of this sweetness of true love in the body of Christ, I see (and I'm sure you've noticed, too) what I call Mopey Valentines. These valentines mope, because they say that they want someone to love them, or that they aren't getting enough attention. The pleasing of self will never fulfill you, but so often we try. I fall into this. It's fun for a little while, but empty in the end.
So no moping allowed!
Celebrate true love this year! Learn to love, love!
This week on Silk and Purple, we plan to do just that!
Here are some wonderful go-to styles that we can use for around the house, work, school, or church. These tutorials make a basic French braid and high bun seem fun and easy. As you fix your hair for the day, remember that you are always an ambassador for Christ!
Classic French Braid
Ballerina Bun
Silk and Purple does not claim the rights to these videos. All rights belong to The Beauty Department.
"We are tempted to look at our joys, pleasures, passions, or our dreams with too much self-satisfaction. Then through God's gracious love He withdraws them, leading us to distinguish between them and Himself."
Everyone most likely will have the privilege of being a guest at a wedding. As with all other events, there are etiquette tips to guide us to make the occasion more pleasant for us and all those we're around.
1. Remember to R.S.V.P. as soon as possible by the method outlined in the invitation. See my earlier post, R.S.V.P.
2. Find out from the invitation what the dress code is. The time of the wedding should indicate to you how formal it will be.
3. Girls should not wear white to the wedding or even ivory or off-white. The bride is supposed to stand out in white. It is also best not to look like one of the bridesmaids. If you know what color and style they are wearing, steer away from that.
4. Arrive for the ceremony at least twenty minutes early. Thirty minutes is best. If you arrive after the doors have been closed, seat yourself quietly in the back (left side = bride's side, right side = groom's side). If the ceremony has already begun, wait until the bride has reached the altar and then seat yourself quietly in the back.
5. Do not just go to the reception and not the ceremony. If it is only possible for you to make it to the reception, that is okay, but you have been invited because the couple wants to share their wedding with you.
6. If you are able to, stay until after the cake has been cut. You do not want it to look like you came for the free food and then left.
7. Follow the couple's lead when the dancing begins.
8. If you are not a fan of the bouquet or garter toss, just stand quietly in the back and smile.
9. When you leave, find a member of the family and thank them.
I found these clothing guides and couldn't resist sharing!
It's really helpful to know varying types of cuts and styles in clothing so you can find what best suits your body type. We will talk more about cuts and styles in posts to come. For now, study the charts above so you can know what it means when I say yoke dress.
Curling Your Hair Naturally, Part 2 Here are several more ways to curl your hair without using heat. If you would like to know more curling methods, check out my earlier post, Everyday Hair Styles, Part 1. Sock Bun Method* 1. Cut off the toe of an old sock. 2. Roll the sock into a donut shape. 3. Pull clean, dry hair into a ponytail at the back of your head and tie with a hair tie. 4. Spray your ponytail lightly with water (this will help set the waves). 5. Hold the end of your ponytail and place it through the hole in the sock. 6. Wrap hair over the outer surface of the sock donut and tuck hair securely underneath it. 7. Continue rolling the sock down your ponytail toward your head, keeping hair tucked underneath it. The bun should stay securely in place once it reaches your head. 8. Leave the bun in overnight. 9. Remove the sock and hair tie after 6-8 hours. 10. Run hands loosely through hair to release the waves. *This method produces voluminous waves. Little Buns Method 1. Take slightly damp or dry hair and separate into 8 sections. 2. Separate individual sections into 2 sections each. 3. Twist each separate piece and place in a little bun. 4. Secure each bun with a few bobby pins. 5. Allow buns to stay for 2-4 hours. 6. Take bobby pins out and run fingers through hair to loosen the curls. 7. Hairspray hair lightly to hold curls, if desired.
"For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock except our God? He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters."