I’m a cocky son of a bitch. Instead of heeding to the eternal wisdom of God, humbling myself under His mighty hand so at the proper time He might exalt me (1 Peter 5:6), I’ve been busy luxuriating on a delusional high horse. I’ve got the heart of integrity and the blood of the enslaved running through my veins. You will see my arrogance, feel it, as I will henceforth refer to myself in third person. Thrice removed from these happy fingers is passion, mindfulness and strength, so, no, Margery Hannah doesn’t feel guilty in the least.
Entitled.
You can try it, too, but you may not be cut from the same cloth. You might be cut from cotton, that thread of forced hardship rarely felt, hardly experienced. Do you remember cotton is accompanied by thorns that tear through skin? You just may be a safety net kid pretending to live on the edge by following a dream, yet knowing beyond the ledge a cushion held by mommy and daddy is positioned at will to break any fall. Margery Hannah is cut from silk. She’s smooth, baby, a natural fiber, coming from a long line of an overlooked kind, a big secret, a discredited myth. She is from those still flying with clipped wings. Let’s make it clear; Margery Hannah does not react, she pro-acts.
Oh, the hypocrisy.
Because Margery Hannah knows the first step to resentment is expectation, the only thing Margery Hannah expects is nothing. So Margery Hannah is never disappointed. She bases her wants on personal discovery and defines her needs on whatever is provided. That makes Margery Hannah represent dirt.
Now we’re talking.
Because we are only entitled to the salvation of our Lord and Savior.
Oh, the gift of grace!
So when everyone else is in riles, fearing the pulled plug on an expectation, an invisible majority, a silent killer, a new normal, Margery Hannah goes to the beach and lets the sand tickle her toes, marveling at its purple tint. She gets a lesson in oceanography, collects seashells and eats tacos. She enjoys her drives to upstate or Long Island or Pennsylvania, and she is blessed with a parking space directly in front of her building. She falls asleep to the sound of JR Ewing’s plotting after saying her prayers, prayers said throughout the day, “Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Margery Hannah refuses to donate to the wasteland, only contributing to battles rooted in the betterment of the people. Ephesians 4:2: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
So, Margery Hannah has hope. Or hope has Margery Hannah.
And she is exalted, because she has lifted her eyes to the mountains and remembered her help “comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
And she realizes it is not entitlement, but grace, because she can do all things through Christ, Who gives her strength. (Philippians 4:13)
As such, she has nothing to be cocky about; God gets the glory. Nor does she have the characteristics of a bitch because, “As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly” (Proverbs 26:11), and she has, at least, looked ahead.
And she ascends because she is humble and as a force of humility knows gratitude:
To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing. (Isaiah 40:25, 26)
And she has learned that great expectations are placed in the promises God puts in our hearts; For He has said “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
And she is released, “For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God!” (Ephesians 1:7 7)
And she remembers she is a Proverbs woman:
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs 31)
And I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Proverbs 146:2)
Excellent as usual young cousin!!