The Queen's Handmaid By Tracy Higley {Book Review}

Tracy L. Higley writes about an orphan girl named Lydia, following her journey as a servant to Cleopatra then later to Herod. She also slowly uncovers her heritage and where she came from as we see her mentor, Samuel, pass along several scrolls into her possession with the intention of placing them into the rightful hands of a man on the Jerusalem temple steps who awaits them annually. 

I was really drawn into the story initially, I loved reading about Lydia's experiences and relationships with those in Cleopatra's palace. Her role in raising her mistress's son and her life behind the scenes. I enjoyed all the description and really felt drawn into Lydia's experiences and personality. The story then picked up the pace after following her into Herod's household and I will admit I found it harder to relate as there was less description and emotion described. Almost as though it became more of a historical account with events to get through. I do appreciate that Higley did her historical research which is clear when reading the novel. Although as with all fiction, other events are imagined making for interesting story-telling. 

I think if you love historical fiction, then this would be a perfect novel for you. One that might even become a quick favorite. My own personal taste is perhaps not for historical fiction, but I did appreciate seeing the biblical context mixed with history, showing biblical characters and how they fit into real life in biblical times.  

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this novel through BookLook, however all opinions expressed are my own. 

Subtle sins.

We had a great discussion in our small group this week about irritability, impatience and anger. Anyone feel their toes being stepped on as much as I did? 
It's funny isn't it....how easy we justify and rationalize certain sins in our life. But if this person just wouldn't do that? If they just wouldn't say things like that? 
We discussed some important truth.

We are responsible for our own responses.

Doesn't matter what someone else says or does to us. We choose how we respond every single time. And if you're like me, a lot of the time you probably choose wrongly. 
Then try and justify it by covering it with excuses to make myself feel better. Something I really need to work on. 

We've been working through the book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges, and in case you didn't pick up on this already it is not for the fainthearted. It will step on your toes like never before and convict you of some serious ugly in your heart which you had refused to acknowledge before. Things you may not have been aware you were holding onto, things which have been in your life for years and really they have been causing some serious damage. 

But its all covered with grace. And reassurance that without Him, we can't even begin to work on the ugly. We just can't. But through much prayer and surrounding ourselves with truth, we can begin to graciously change our responses and line them up to far better character qualities, those showcased in Jesus. 

Its a tough work, I tell ya. This maturity thing. And as one of our church leaders shared this past Sunday, something we are never finished in this side of heaven. The marker just keeps moving forward as we change and grow. I feel the more I grow and learn, the more ugly I see in my life. 

Good thing our God has a lot of grace for us, huh?

I look forward to the day when I don't have to ugly cry over sin anymore. 
Won't heaven be beautiful!!! 

Write your Story on my Heart.

{Thank you sweet Katie for taking this picture!}

You know its not just coincidence when you hear the same message/topic multiple times in many different places. So the theme the Lord has been speaking to me lately has all been on sharing our stories. You know our testimonies, stories of ways He has worked in our lives. How He has walked each of us through so many different struggles, experiences and seasons. Yet we all have these incredible testimonies of how He has been or is at work in our lives. 

When we let it, that can be such a gift to share with others. Used for encouragement, sympathy and leaving people with the knowledge that we don't struggle alone whatever we are facing. Each of us battles different things, but there are others who have walked similar paths.

It is so encouraging when we encounter those who are further ahead than we are in a particular season or struggle in life. While at Hope Spoken last weekend, I had the blessing of meeting such a sweet woman. I hadn't given a ton of thought as to which sessions I would listen to when we had our breakout sessions and got to listen in to several willing ladies share their stories of how the Lord has worked some crazy things into their lives. And loved how the Lord's hand was so evident in each of their stories.

When I sat through Danielle's session, I was captured by her words as she let her story unfold for us. Then came the ugly cry in the middle of a hotel ballroom. Just the reminder that grace is there for each of us no matter what we face. That redemption comes when we are willing participants in the plans He has for us. That some seasons may feel excruciatingly painful, but they have a divine purpose as He allows them to happen. Nothing is wasted with Him. No experience is just unnecessary trauma, but rather it is often woven into our life for a purpose we may never know or simply to conform us more into His image.

And if sweet Danielle had not been brave and stepped up allowing the Lord to use her story to touch the hearts of those women in that room, I may never have seen that truth shine brightly into my own life circumstances. 

I loved this reminder last weekend, that this is why we each have stories. Several times in the past I have been told that I share too many stories with people. Yet I've always come away confused as to why you wouldn't want to hear that whoever you are talking to gets what you are saying, because they have walked something similar. I love hearing stories from others, I have so instantly felt like kindred spirits with a beautiful woman after hearing her encouragement in the form of her story. Its such a way into the depths of a person, hearing how the Lord has walked them through struggles and hearing how He has redeemed terrible situations. It gives such hope and encouragement in my own life. And it is such a blessing to be allowed into a person's life through them sharing those deep things. 

I really hope to be a good steward of the experiences He chooses to write into my life. To not just keep them to myself, but to share them with others. Even when that is hard.

But never with the intention of drawing focus to myself or to hurt others in my life, but because these stories are incredible because they have an incredible author. One whose glory is reflected in every broken relationship redeemed, every heart healed and every act of grace extended. 

How can we keep quiet about that? Why would we want to keep those things to ourselves? Don't be afraid to share what He calls you to or what He has walked you through. We are here for a purpose, to display His glory above all, that includes our experiences and stories. 
You never know who might be listening and see Him and be touched by that, all because you shared part of your story.