VerticallyChallanged on Xanga

Sunday, 08 November 2009

Final Painfully Learned Lesson

We have so much free will...

but we give it away for Hope.

Monday, 02 November 2009

This is an ADVERTISEMENT:

Do you yearn for the Verity staff to be more relaxed? Do you want to see the circles under their eyes gone? Do you have $1,000 lying around growing mold?

I have your answer in four short but sweet words:

Staff Girl's Hot Tub! Oh yes, Oh yes.

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

How do I say it?

Today I was in Dr. McCray's office when my eyes were beckoned past the page we were editing, past the window pane, past the curtains, and out to the magnificent tree right outside his window. The sun had broken free of the grey clouds for a few moments and each beam was sprinting up and down the rims of every leaf until the whole tree looked like it was ablaze. Then a small breeze, caught up in the beauty, got to close.The breeze shattered the top of the tree and the air was filled with little pieces of the broken tree still sparkling with the sunlight. I was so enthralled it was like I have never seen the sky before... It really was just that beautiful.
I love Autum...guess that is why I was born in it. My birthday is in less than a month- I cannot believe I am going to be twenty-two. Time really does fly when you are having fun, and when you are working hard.

Sunday, 25 October 2009

Three Most Painful Lessons. Pt. 2

I call this one “NO, AHH, NOO, AHH, NOOO!”

Isn’t: “I am actually going to get spanked for that” a sinking feeling? Have you ever vowed to practice better “pleading for mercy” skills as for the next two days you walked a little more gingerly ignoring your stupid sniggering siblings? As a small child I was convinced if I could just get the begging for mercy part down I would not actually get the spanking.

(Seriously, Hundreds of Marketing agencies have proven only a heart of stone can resist the image of a golden ringletted girl with pearl like tears pricking her crystal blue eyes guilt clouding her tiny brow…)

Recently I the windows of my mind blew open on this topic. I realized getting spanked had just been an ANALOGY. All that time they had been physically acting out the spiritual principle that when you sin there is pain. It was so easy, so simple, so –dare I say it and give my parents the last laugh- merciful.

God was so real to my parents, they knew, if necessary, God would use even pain to bring me to Himself. And because this was REALITY they were unhesitating in teaching me about God- even when I begged not to have the lesson. And suddenly I knew why they could resist my begging not to be spanked- not out of a heart of stone- but a heart of love.

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

My Three most Painfully Learned Lessons - Pt 1

I call this one- The Hot Spotlight.

Last Graduation as the 2010 class was working feverishly in the back to get the dessert served. I was called onto the stage to receive a gift from the 2009 class after which Dr. McCray and Mrs. McCray also thanked me for my service in coordinating Graduation. As they were thanking me I -on impromptu- motioned to speak and Dr. McCray graciously made room at the microphone.

What happened next contains the lesson- read carefully gentle reader.

That moment in my life was a culmination of Cheri Anderson: I had a successful event, a plush personal life, a great job, fun friends and adoring fans but I did not have humility. I took the spotlight.

"Thank you so much for everything- I would like to take this moment to recognize my team for their diligence facilitating this event everything has come off beautifully. Thank you."

Did you catch it?

Pastor Shoemaker used to remind my class now and again that, "Not many men survive godhood." In the moment of truth, under the cleaver disguise of praising the workers- I took the glory for myself. All I needed to do was smile and quietly walk off stage. If I said anything at all it should only have been, "The success of this evening is due to the Blessing of the Lord bringing us all together in this place, and to Dr. & Mrs. McCray's leadership." But I did not. Not only that but I also robbed Mrs. McCray of the opportunity of recognizing the 2010 class. Praise from such a lady as Mrs. McCray would have been much more honoring than anything I, an inexperienced twenty-one year old would have to say.

If I could do it over, I would, but I cannot- so I share this message with you the President, the Advertiser, the Politician, the Event Coordinator, the Father, the Wife that God will put in the spotlight to change the world:

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." Phil. 2:3