How to Become a Queen

Patiently waiting

Dogs and cats are some of the most patient creatures on earth. If trained right, they will wait for their food or to go for a walk. They will wait all day long for their master to return home. They may not enjoy it, but they never, ever give up! They don't need a box of tissues, either, to dry all the tears. Oh, no, they go and play with their toys or look for bugs to eat or, o.k., tear up the couch maybe. But give up? Never. It's probably why we like to have them around. They are optimistic and hopeful!

Beating on a Brick Wall
We could actually learn something from our pets. Too many times, we humans use excuses to not get better, get over, get out, or get going. It's just seems a lot easier to give up and stop trying. Maybe we should try to write down what is so great about giving up and losing hope. The page would most certainly be blank because there is nothing good about it. Or at least nothing we would want to admit.

If you have ever had the fortune to buy a Chanel suit, dress, bag, or perfume, you probably know Coco Chanel was a designer. But she didn't just click her red shoes, open her eyes and she was famous by any means. Coco once said something very insightful on her way up to success: 

“Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.” 

In other words, if something--our life, job, home, finances, whatever--isn't working, don't give up! Try something different. Don't be discouraged, just refuse to fail! It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock. Don't misunderstand. We all have our "down" moments or seasons, even, to get through. All I'm saying is something a therapist asked, "Why are you banging your head against a brick wall?" A life-changing question, indeed!

The Making of a Queen
A more familiar story is the one of Esther, a beautiful, young Jewish woman who became a Queen. She also did not have a perfect life, nor an easy one. Esther was not born with a "silver spoon" in her mouth. She was an orphan until her cousin adopted her. After she was crowned the Queen and wife of the King of Persia (at his insistence), she went on to fight for her people to become free. It was a long and difficult, but successful, battle. Her secret? Esther never gave up! [Read her entire story in the Book of Esther in the Bible]. And the outcome was all planned by God. He is always on our side. Always.*

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

*For an amazing, fictional version of the story of Esther, see the book by Kate Breslin, For Such a Time.