NO! when 'permissive' winks at 'assertive'

'I was wondering if you could...'

'I have been through a lot lately and I need...'

'What can I do without you...'

'I can only trust your judgement so please...'

'You really can spare some time for my...'

'I know you love God and will like to help people so...'

'Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while but i need you to...'

Do these lines sound familiar? Lol

At one point or the other we may have used those slippery manipulative lines for a sibbling, friend, parent, hobby or even grandma/grandpa.

Or maybe you know some sweet,snuggly person who is fond of using those lines.

At the back of your mind are biblical principles of 'Love being the more excellent way'

'Do good to all men especially those of the household of faith' 
We could go on and on...but here's the point when the 'permissive manipulator' winks at the 'assertive'.

One of my inspiring friends 'Darlyn' humorously wrote in a recent mail that even Jesus was assertive.
The two letter word No! is a must have to subdue any subtle manipulation.

Have you ever wondered why God made us in His image,loves us unconditionally,sacrificed His only begotten son to pay for our sins yet leaves us with a vital tool: THE POWER OF CHOICE???
Oh! so if our father isn't manipulative or controlling the trait must be from the other side...
Did i just say from the other side? guys lemme be frank with you it's D-E-V-L-I-S-H!

 'Peer-pressure'....'Giving in to man-made doctrines'...'Brain wash' ,such manipulative words have been  coined into the social,religious and political settings but wrapped in a bit of emotional blackmail as 'gentleness' 'humility' 'meekness' 'amiable@all cost' 'easy going'. Be not decieved, there's a difference between timidity and humility.

So if saying No! gets you blacklisted today, that book might be the 'Guiness book of records' wrapped in black cardboard actually(lol...) but seriously,even Peter stood up in boldness prefering to honour God rather than men. I'd rather have my name in heaven's book of life.

To my fellow people pleasers...well I recently chose the smart assertive way but there's still this little sweet girl i give the eye signal to sit still until i beckon at some point(lol).And it feels so much lighter and I found my days more productive.Learn those two alphabets: 'N' for Noble and 'O' for Orange.

Victim of manipulation...check your motives dear,are u really interested in helping or its all about you?Common! Ur price is far above rubies.U really don't wanna get stuck with people who sulk and whine forever at assertiveness do you? So When next the permissive winks at the assertive peops, brace up,shoulders square and say No!

Let's remember to be polite and not aggressive though,but still spill out that word like you mean it..NO!!!


Have a fabulous week!!!

Hands off! mould as it seems best...dear Potter

I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him(Jer 18:3-4)MSG

The marred pot was certainly me
Telling God exactly where I crave his pre-eminence in my life
Drawing a bold RED boundary line on those aspects of my life it seems I could handle.
Emphasizing the 'no-go areas' as often as I could

Yet all those drama happened while I was in the Potter's hands.

Couldn't He drop the stubborn clay and pick yet another willing and recklessly abandoned one that would allow thorough moulding in few minutes?Why didn't he give up on me after so many years of stubborness and self-will?

Waoh! this potter is different,He sees the good in this self-willed clay.
Potter says ‘Don’t destroy it, there is still a blessing in it'(Isaiah 65:8b)MSG

Just then,I looked into my patient Potter's eyes,so full of love,graciousness and expectation;hoping I see what He sees and allow Him mould me as it seems best to Him...
Slowly,I sighed from my restlessness as I let go in absolute surrenderedness and childlike trust.
Forgetting my worldly wisdom and fantasies to be carved with curves and shapes in appropriate places
I yielded to the Potter and He's making the best out of 'T-clay'
I have never experienced so much joy,peace and refreshing calmness just leaning on Him and allowing my Potter make the best out of His master-piece.I am loving every bit of the reform and transformation..

Guess what! The best news ever.. I am being re-moulded into the Potters very own image.

Are you still restlessly dictating to the Potter?why not let Him have His way today?You will realise He's got the best taste ever and more...
Let Him mould you as he seems best to Him dearie.