Bess' Bag: May 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

{Yes You Are}

Saturday, May 21, 2011

How the West Was Won {Fashion Wise}

Hitch up the team & raid your closet for the rustic Ralph-Lauren-inspired pieces you may already have, such as: plaids, ginghams, whites, tans, anything with fringe, Native-American-inspired jewelry, lace, long ruffled skirts, cross-body messenger bags, leather, belts with big buckles, western-style goods, camel-colored blazers...

Bring the country look home for less by finding these picks from Forever21!

bracelet cuff with wood detailing - $10.80

tiered maxi skirt - $19.80

faux-leather messenger bag - $19.80

crochet leatherette belt - $5.80

eyelet fringed scarf - $8.80

Love from the Wild West, er South,

-Bess-

P.S.: I love finding modest fashion straight from the runways for ya! Hope you find it fashionably {& God-pleasing wardrobe-wise} inspiring, too!

Friday, May 20, 2011

The End is Coming {As Always}

Have you heard the news? Jesus is scheduled to return tomorrow! Be sure to pencil it in on you planner & get ready {go ahead, chuck Monday’s homework & eat all the contents of your fridge} =). Hey, wait a sec. Put down that tub of whip cream. Who’s “scheduling” this anyway? Some guys somewhere. Really? Mere human folks???
Here’s what God has told us, through His Word the Bible, about His return…
Jesus speaking: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” –Mark 13:32 NIV
Mortal man may think they’ve carefully calculated the date of Christ’s return, but through their false wisdom, they’ve instead thumbed down one day we can rest assured our Lord won’t return on, for no one knows the date & time, but God. Since when did us “folks” trump angels, the Son of God, or the Father in the wisdom department {or any department, for that matter). Only God knows, so don’t fear when people of this world tell you it’s the end… Honestly, they don’t have a clue – the Bible says so.
The one thing to know is this: because we don’t know when Christ will return for His children, we must be ready always, through a relationship with God that only comes through a real, saved-me-from-my-sins-now-I-live-for-Him relationship with His Son, Jesus. Don’t have that yet? Not sure how to get it? Want to know what the Bible has to say? Check out the Good News page {click the link at the top of the blog, under the main Bess’ Bag logo/sign} & read through the scriptures; drop me a note; &/or open your Bible {you’ll have to sometime + it’s got all the answers to salvation anyway + even more tools for living this life with purpose, peace, & eternal hope}. I pray I see you in heaven one of these {unknown} days!

“Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house & puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, & tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!”
-Mark 13:33-37 NIV

Love,
-Bess-

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My “Mercies in Disguise”

Many of you Gal Pals know from reading my posts that I have spent much time searching for work since graduating college. I am grateful to God for the part time job I found last August, which helped get my foot in the door {Why does it always seem to get smashed?}, but I am still on the lookout for the career I truly went to school for. This summer will likely be full of interviews & waiting…in fact, it’s already begun, & I’d like to share just on the chance it might encourage you with whatever your facing right now.

A couple weeks ago…
I quickly wrote the date & time down on the edge of a newspaper. Yes, I had an interview lined up! Sure, it was for a place I had interviewed at once before a year or so ago, but it was something – I hoped. I decided to be good & write it on my calendar.
Family & friends assured me they were praying for me…some even went so far as to say, “this is going to be it.” The time made it so I had to leave directly from work & skip lunch to get there without the fear of being late. I dressed extra professional-like with a gray pinstripe blazer & matching gray slacks. I was ready – as ready as I’d ever be. It was very hot & let’s just say my air conditioner isn’t the best. The job was nestled into a not-so-nice neighborhood. I was passing by all the street names I’d heard on the local news notorious for late night shootings & gang activity. Praying for my interview & singing along with the radio, I pulled into the parking lot. This could be it! The parking spaces all had these little green “street” names in front with inspirational titles. I pulled into the 1st open slot: “Decision Drive;” I hoped that was a good sign.
I made my way to the office hot, hungry, but putting that aside for the nerves & anticipation of the interview. I told the lady at the desk my name & the purpose of my visit & then sat down. I was quite a few minutes early, but better that than late. I sat running everything through my mind that I wanted to make sure & say. The interview time came & went, & still nothing. Finally, after 15 minutes past the appointment the man came out who I was to interview with, & I settled my butterflies & rose from my chair. “It’ll just be a few more minutes.” I smiled politely, said that was fine, & sat back down – perturbed, but willing to wait. About 15 to 20 minutes later he came back out holding a Styrofoam cup of what appeared to be hot chocolate. And, I thought, “this is it now; people are praying & I can do this through Christ in me” - & got up again. This time he said, “Are you sure this is the right day? I think you read the e-mail wrong.” I stare at him in disbelief, “I don’t know. I thought it was this day,” heat rising to my cheeks from the most unpleasant recipe {sure to cause heartburn} of anger & embarrassment. “Is there any possible way you can see me today? I waited so long already,” I was almost begging here. “No, there’s no way,” he says taking a sip of his cocoa & not even attempting to apologize, “Come next Monday.”
I left the building shaking & fought back my tears until I got into my car, turned the key, pushed the radio knob, reversed out of “Decision Drive” & turned out of the parking lot. I sobbed as I drove through the “killer” streets of the city; it wasn’t easy going driving on unfamiliar roads & crying like a baby. The tears kept on coming though. Then, my radio played this song…

& just like the song says I “cried out in anger” at my God & “doubted His love” as I drove home, tears streaming, in my hot car. I listened to those words of Laura Story’s song & I tearfully said out loud, “I don’t believe it.” All the hope of that day - that had only been made larger through the countless many prayers & paths of my three year job search – fell unfulfilled upon me & made me cry out in defiant anger. Why, God?
Looking back & listening to the song many times since, I know it was no accident that song came on that drive home. And, I'm pretty certain I witnessed one of God’s “mercies in disguise” that day - even if I won't understand till I see Him face to face...but on that day I do, I will thank Him for it.

Love,
-Bess-

P.S.: I did go back on Monday {I had written the date wrong on my calendar - funnily enough not the newspaper, though} & when I pulled into the free space in the parking lot the post read “Perseverance Pike.” Even though it’s been a few weeks ago & I’ve heard nothing in response to my interview, I trust God’s mercies through the “tears, trials, & sleepless nights.” I hope you do too.

*Song: Blessings by Laura Story