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toallyouprincesses · 6 years ago

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God Called Me A Pineapple.

Today, I’m going to share something God has been teaching me. If you don’t know, I went back to school last year, and I’m working towards my Master’s degree in teaching international languages. I know it sounds fancy but you see, I never wanted to go back to school. I’ve been (mostly) happy working from home as a web designer these past seven years. Who would have thought I would want to change careers? I never saw it coming, to suddenly have such a strong desire to go back to school and become an English teacher. Well, God is full of surprises. So, here I am, finding a way to roll through this season.

While registering for classes this semester, I said, “God, how am I going to do this?” Princesses, on top of school, I also have three jobs. I know that following Christ into the unknown takes a lot of faith, but it’s hard work too. My heart kept saying, “Lord, I know this is your will, but how can I do this, all these things you’ve asked of me?”

A few days after registration, God showed me a vision.

I saw a pineapple trying to roll along steep, rocky hills. It couldn’t get over them. The pineapple was too spiky, and the path was not easy. Then I saw a huge double-edged sword horizontally laying in the ground, half of it above ground and half of it under. Then I saw the pineapple begin to roll on this sword. As it rolled, the part of the sword that was sticking up above ground began to cut off the rough edges of the pineapple and make it smooth. Once this pineapple was spike-free and completely polished, it rolled off the sword and onto level ground and was able to roll forward, with ease and agility.

He said to me, “Daughter, you are this pineapple.“

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” -Hebrews 4:12-13

First, let’s focus on the fact that God just called me a pineapple. (What happened to “princess”?) Second, on a deeper note, He began to speak to me and said if I gave Him the first part of my day, honor His Sabbath, and watch no TV all semester (this was Him cutting off all the edges of my pineapple life), He would help me do everything I need to do. He said through this process, He would make the rough paths smooth for me. He would give me favor, where I lack He would provide, and what was once challenging and difficult to understand would become easy. His request was that I would, in exchange, give Him the first moments of my day, spend one day per week without doing school work or working, and let go of watching TV. In other words, if I give Him my time before anything else, He would give me everything else.

Abide Rhymes With Hide

He is teaching me that the only way I can do what He’s called me to do is through abiding in Him.

Note: Actually, He's taught me this plenty of times before. I'm just a silly little human that forgets, begins to think I'm strong and have it all together, until I realize I don't and need God. Again. :) Same lesson, new season. Also, I think it's cool that "abide" rhymes with "hide", because that's what abiding means - hiding/surrounding yourself with God.

Everything that God calls us to do is absolutely impossible on our own — that’s why it seems scary and daunting — but at the same time, it’s absolutely possible when we do it with God. He wants us to be one with Him. There’s no substitution or excuse that we can use to hide from Him, because He’ll pursue us until we are hidden in Him, and until then, we can do nothing.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:4-11

This semester, I decided to try this out, like an “experiment”. I would do what God asked and see what would happen. I let Him adjust my life, cut away what He wanted, while I rolled along His sword, molding me into who He wants me to be. Princesses, He is faithful. I’ve been more joyful this semester; I feel at peace. There’s no resemblance of my stressed, almost-pulling-out-my-hair, self from last semester. Although, I must say the temptation to disobey is strong. I’ll say to God, “It’s been a long day, can I just watch one show?” (No.) Then when I know my homework is due Monday, but I promised God Sunday I would take to rest, to take out my book and start reading is so tempting. Though, you know what surprises me? Every time I refuse the enemy’s voice and say, “Lord, I don’t know how, but I believe you’ll make a way if I obey,” He absolutely comes through in the most insane ways.

A few weeks, my professor told us we needed to observe and co-tutor with someone in the writing center and write about our experience. Well, for two weeks, every time I went in there were no students. Then last Monday, my professor said he wanted us to have our observation notes ready by Wednesday to discuss what we had learned. I begged God to send a student to the center. Tuesday – no students. Wednesday, I went to the center a few hours before class, desperate. I heard God tell me to ask my friend if I could co-tutor with her if anyone came in. I did and then waited for two hours. ONE hour before my class, this girl walks in with an assignment. Someone else from my class jumped up and asked to tutor with my friend, but she said she already promised me I could sit with her. THANK YOU, JESUS! We had the best session, and sure I barely made it to class, but I made it and had all my notes ready for the discussion. God did it!

I don’t know what to say. I’m surprised by the love of God.

Who am I that God should care? I’m just some girl in the world, one in seven billion, studying to be an English teacher. There’s nothing that extraordinary about me, I’m average, a pineapple. Then, He comes and says He wants more time with me, to help me write my papers, to do my classes with me, to be the shoulder I can lean on. He wants to make me a better person. He wants to create with me. He wants me to rest in His arms. What kind of God is this that He would love us so intimately, so beautifully and patiently? I’m in awe. He loves us so much.

What Is God Saying to You?

Wherever you are, however your day looks, take a moment to stop and listen. God has something to say to you, and it’s probably not what you think. Be still. What is He is saying?

Are you tired, friend? Do you feel far from God? Have you been stressed and anxious these days? Do you need rest and peace? Come to the Father. Give Him your time, and He will give you what you need. Letting Him have the beginning of my day was His request of me, what is He requesting of you?

Father, I thank you for being good, for giving me this grace to grow with you. Thank you for asking for my time, for disciplining me, because I know that the fruit of this process will be worth the sacrifice. Nothing is more important than you. I say this with my mouth, but I want to show you with my actions. Father, bless these girls to walk in righteousness, to walk in a deeper understanding of your love for them. I thank you for creating each of them, precious and royal, formed in your hands. I ask that you continue to mold us, Lord. Help us to be more like you, Jesus. Take away anything that would hinder us from being near to you. Speak your truth to these princesses, and may they hear you with such absolute clarity. May we go into this world, shining bright, because we have first chosen to abide in You. We love you, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

With all my love, The Pineapple Princess

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?…. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 3But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. -Matthew 6:26, 30-33

God Called Me A Pineapple. was originally published on To All You Princesses

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