I was really blessed when a friend popped Warrior Chicks by Holly Wagner as a surprize treat into my letterbox yesterday. I have wanted to read this book for a while now and so it was a big yay when I got it! of course as soon as the kids busied themselves nicely I picked up my purple highlighter and the book and got reading!

The premise of the book is that “ solider is a position” but “warrior is an attitude.” There is a difference. Soliders are paid and it is a job. They are ‘there’. Warriors have their heart and soul committted to the cause. It’s the sons vs servants argument, wrapped up cooler…. And in this book, in pink.

So far it is a book that challenges your misconceptions about yourself and life. It encourages you to jump right in – no matter what you are facing. Life is worth living and living well. You can make a difference. Life is filled with challenges – the challenge of a disintegrating marriage, wayward teens, job loss, health crisis not to mention the writers strike threatening the fate of the survivors on the island…! (references to Lost for those not in the know…) instead of just breathing we should shine.

One of my favourite passages so far is in chpt 1:

“I am not sure why we always think that someone else’s armour would be better.
Someone else always looks more qualified.
IF I could just look like her… then I would be beautiful.
IF I just had what he had, then I would be successful.
We question whether we can really win this battle simply with what we have = ourselves.”

Those who are regular readers will be aware that I am a huge advocate of this = that who we are is who we are and that God can use us – as cracked pots with the great treasure of God within us. God calls us – to be transformed yes – but as we are – we are useful to him – partners even – - in reaching the lost and demonstrating the love of God to those around us.

I confess there are times where I feel woefully inadequate. Who am I to do that? I think. So and so could do it better. So and so would be the best person for the job. Added to that thought is the fact that one of my gifts I reckon is to connect people together – so I meet someone or hear something and think of people to connect them with for good things and purposes. So I don’t often put myself in the DOING role. It also stems from a lifelong battle with expectations – both family and my own. So yip – I know what it is to doubt yourself and any plan of God involving us personally. That guy over there – yip, God could use them, but nope not me. We often look at our past and disqualify ourselves. We have to stop the stinkin’ thinkin’ and just get over it – God can and will use us. look at the people he has used in the bible: David – king, potentially illegitimate, an adulterer, a murderer, a liar. Rahad the prostitute – great great great xlots grandmother of Jesus. Paul/Saul – murderer, torturer, religious leader. When you put it that way…. Don’t let the lies of the enemy distract you and discourage you from the purposes of God for your life. Don’t let him detract from the great work he is doing in your life and through your life.

“The point is that our past – or what we might see as flaws – can create beauty. You and I must understand, all the way to our core, that we are beautiful, just the way we are.

Only when we realize this will be able to extend our hand to help – which is one of the reasons we are still breathing. We were created to join God in doing the work he does, the good work we had better be doing. Believe it or not, God is counting on you and me to co-labour with Him to bring his love and goodness to the planet. We are not just spectators, we are particpants.”