Hats

HATS by Rachelle Phipps

When you see me in town, then hear about things I do at home, well, it creates a lot of mystery. I kill opossums under my chicken coop one day, holding them up for the world to see on Facebook, and then show up in heels and skinny jeans the next. I'm really not who I seem to be, because I have to wear a lot of hats. I'm wearing the hat of an army wife and have been for over a decade, so I have to be resourceful and resilient and forgiving and sexy (more on that later) all at the same time. I say sexy, because that's how I maintain my sanity and it's a survival mechanism for feeling like I have it all together (plus I believe we should be good-looking for our men -more on that later). The more I look put-together and fashionable, the more you can bet, that it has been a stressful day and I honestly took 18 minutes to do something for myself, for once... As an army wife, my other survival mechanism is ferociously cleaning two days prior to my husband leaving and for a week after he leaves. I've come to realize it's the only thing I feel I have control over in this lifestyle.


I wear the hat of a veteran homeschooling mom and that one is quite puzzling. I'm never sure exactly how I feel about it because some days are amazing and grace-filled and perfect, and some days it feels like a Wild West show in which I created the performers. It's worth it though, especially on the days that I internalize the fact that my five kids are learning more than just academics, but life skills, ability to interact with any age, and a great work ethic (yes, I know they can learn those things in public school too, but let me just have this moment). Mostly, I'm just happy that I get to spend my whole day with them. Honest truth. ‪#‎phippsfamilyhomeschool‬



Speaking of the five children (and maybe more in the future), that's my other hat. I wear the hat of mom to a tribe of quirky kids who detest the questions I get from strangers: "don't you know how that happens?" or the questions they get from strangers: "Is that your sister or your mom?", (speaking of me) and "Why aren't you at school?" I like this hat though; I always wanted 6 or 8 kids and God's been good to us. Being a mom is fantastic work and I can honestly say I love every moment of it. Really. I was only supposed to be the mom of three but now I get to be the mom of five so I cherish every part...every season...every day. ‪#‎soblessed‬


My other hat should be labeled "network marketing enthusiast", because seriously, I wish I could join them all! I dabbled around in two network marketing companies before I found "my people" and "my thang". Yes I said thang, not thing...a thing is something you just do because you have to...a thang is something you're passionate about and good at. So I do my thang and love every minute of it. It's not going away any time soon!! ‪#‎plexusforlife‬
Another hat I wear is "small farm owner" but the farm seems really big when I'm trying to take care of it by myself. This is the hat covered in grass from weed-eating, dirt from gardening, and horse hair from riding bareback on the mare that I've owned since I was 10...I don't like to ride other horses; just her. The kids and I sell chicken and duck eggs on Sunday. Chickens have always been a passion of mine but owning ducks has turned out to be my niche so the "duck-girl" hat isn't getting discarded any time soon, either. There's too much to mention with this farm-woman hat. It encompasses my life...hence the reason I feel the need to dress up, even to church and Awana, or the grocery store. I'm a hillbilly bum, the rest of the time, so that's my only time to feel like a lady! ‪#‎hillbillycharm‬ ‪#‎kybluegrassgirl‬ ‪#‎thatduckgirl‬



One hat that confuses the hell out of me is my "Lover" hat. I'm a wife to someone who is incompatible with me but completes me in every way. Later you'll hear about a hat that is the epitome of antithesis (you know...the opposite of what you would think) and this one is like that hat, except I call it the epitome of contradiction. Everything I am that is good and worthwhile is not what he is. Everything in me that I am terrible or useless at, he excels at. Everything in him that is wonderful and true and pure, I am not even close to being. Everything in him that is undesirable, and worthless, I have an easier time with. Marriage was not created to make you happy. It was created to make you holy and IT WILL, IF YOU LET IT. The marriage hat is the hat I could pull my hair out along with, but I don't. To me, the marriage hat is as serious as the next one I'll be talking about. The commitment hat is what this marriage hat should be called...not always...but always when it can be. It should be sexy too, when it can be. Not always, but when it can be. Not when you're pushing an 8-pound human being into the world, but all other times. Sexy and committed. That's what I try to be. I think those two things will have you covered. You're not going anywhere and you look amazing where you're not going. Done deal. I need a hashtag for this area of my life...how about ‪#‎sexyandstaying‬ Cooking is important too, but I learned the hard way that it's not the most important. Sexy while cooking is snazzy though. Just don't fry bacon naked.



Besides all that I've mentioned and the ones I don't have time to mention, like: sister to three amazing people...friend to many (though I seriously suck at this one)... lover of all things Dwight Yoakam (most of my life- goals revolve around something to do with Dwight ‪#‎timedontmattertome‬ or the TV show LOST)...daughter of two fine people... hater of Pinterest (seriously, I hate Pinterest)... housekeeper (if you know me, this is one thing I do excel at...if nothing else...at least I've succeeded at the cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness thang-->notice I said Thang) ...amateur writer who struggles with security, competency, and capability issues, not to mention...finding the time to write and avoiding dangling modifiers (I definitely had to edit one sentence up there that sounded like I was selling chicken and duck eggs along with my children)...and many other hats that aren't worth listing, my last hat is who I really am under all the fluff. It's the hat that really defines me. I don't think many people know who they really are. They don't know the hat that really defines them. But I do. It's holey, its worn, its the opposite of everything you think it should be, it's been with me since I was 19 and selfish and proud and mean-turned-redeemed. It has stuck with me when I was self-righteous and judgemental and when I didn't deserve to wear it. It hung topsy-turvey, holding on by a thread, when I was heart-broken and desperate for real love and acceptance. When everything else was stripped from me, and I had nothing left to cover the humiliation and nakedness of a raw heart, I wore it because it was all I had left to wear. Even when I had to pin it, to keep it in place, this hat convinced me to keep it on; that it was worth it. When I went through circumstances that would cause most to throw this hat in the air and high-tail it outta there, this hat promised me it would never forsake me, so I didn't forsake it. This hat has seen nights of depression and desperate fighting down in the muck, for my place and purpose...valleys of disappointment, betrayal, confusion, cuss words in my journal, teardrops on the pillow... This hat has been to the mountains of promises fulfilled many times over, blessings bestowed on my undeserving life, the sewing and binding up of a wounded heart, extreme victories over captive, pet, and even non-conscious sins brought to the light. This hat is the real me. This is the hat that Christ himself gave me to wear. The other hats I chose to wear. This hat I chose, but it was also chosen for me in some weird, predestined, theological, way that I can't explain. There's this balance between laying your whole life down and giving up everything, but at the same time taking up something that's being freely given and placing it on your head and the only reason you are wearing it is because Christ chose to put it right there in your path. Christ predestined my path and where it would lead and he placed that hat there for me to find, and there in the slum of life, in the dirt of a twisted trail, I desperately gave up everything (just like I do to this very day), and I chose to place that hat on my head. I choose this hat everyday, but it also chose me. And it's white....Good thing.

The Gospel in LOST

The Gospel in LOST?. May 13, 2014 at 11:52am We recently watched all six seasons of Lost. If you haven't watched this tv show, in our opinion, you are really missing out; it's one of our favorites. There are several scenes that are not appropriate for children, but all in all, there is much spiritual application, which I think about often. This was our second time watching all six seasons, and when you watch it the second time, it's very easy to understand. Since you aren't wasting mental energy trying to understand it, the second time, you are able to see more symbolism and meaning, that you didn't see the first time. My favorite character is Jack, the doctor, who exudes manliness, bravery, and a gentle, caring, spirit, which gets him into trouble quite often, because he either overthinks things, or he underthinks things. His character is much like a lot of our lives, where we are seeking a balance. He is sacrificial, though, which makes him irresistable. He also doesn't show his feelings very much, so he gets passed over a lot. When he does give you a glimpse into his heart, mind, or feelings, it is a special treat, because you go through the whole show just wishing you could understand him. I think a lot of men are this way, and that's why he is my favorite. When I think of Jack I always think of this verse in the Bible : "A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man (or woman) of understanding draws it out. (Proverbs 20:5 NASB). Fortunately, for Jack, a woman named Kate, slowly and patiently seeks to draw him out. He's frustrating and easy to misunderstand, but her forbearance and "don't quit" attitude eventually pays off! When I think of Jack and Kate, I am reminded to never give up. There were times when Kate wanted to give up, thought Jack was crazy, acted in jealousy, or was just flustered, but she never gave up. Jack easily gets frustrated, depressed, and remorseful, and you can see him inwardly almost quit, many times. However, he just takes the next step, does the next good thing, and accepts what God puts in front of him. This "frustrated-leader-trying-to-be-tender" is so endearing, that you can't help but love him, and neither could Kate. I love Miles, who is sarcastic, practical, hilarious, and takes one thing at a time, doing what seems best at the moment. You just never know what he's going to do next, which side he will be on, or who he will agree with, but his care-free attitude is a lesson for us all. He never worries, or seems to care about his circumstances. He's happy enjoying the moment, not caring about "getting off the island", but finding joy in the little things. If he was a Christian, his life verse would be 1 Peter 5:8 "Cast all your anxiety on God, because he cares for you." Despite his apparent disregard for his "so called (by other people), plight", nothing bad ever really happens to him. He's also humble about his supernatural power, and learns to use his power for the good of others, and not just his selfish gain. I actually came to love Benjamin Linus. Through the whole show he is a liar, manipulator, deceiver, and power-seeker, but you can't help but feel sorry for him. In the end, it's hard for him to forgive himself, and accept forgiveness, have some grace for himself and accept grace from others. And if you were to only watch the last episode in season 6, you'd be left to believe that that's how he ended his life, but it's not. He follows through with "his new life" if you watch the five minute clip titled "New Man in Charge", available on the DVDs. He finally accepts his past, forgiveness from others and the grace freely extended to him. If he were a real person his life verses would be: "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."(Romans 8:1 NASB) and "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB). I was most hit by the character of Hugo Reyes. From episode one, to the end of season six, he is generally the one seen as "worthless", "just there", "always in trouble", or "always teased". He is overweight, hardly athletic, incredibly insecure, and usually fearful. He is what I like to call "the least of them". He is weak, a little passive, and very unsure of himself. His mental state is hardly stable. But within these character traits, I believe lies the secret and wonder, of Lost. If you want to know what Lost is all about, it is through the character of Hugo. His love and care for others, is a huge lesson for us all. He may not be mentally stable, but he understands everyone, even Jack. He has empathy for even Ben. He finds the good in everyone....the good in every circumstance. For these reasons, and for what Hugo eventually becomes, lies my love for Lost. Ultimately, we ARE ALL ON THIS EARTH, for the very reason that Hugo was on that island. Hugo was the least of those on the island...least likely to succeed, lead, make something of himself, etc. Hugo was the weakest physically, mentally, and emotionally. Hugo went from the least to the greatest, the weakest to the strongest, and from the last to the first. Jack is basically the FIRST person you see on Lost, but he becomes the LAST sacrifice. Jack is the LAST one to understand the sideways flashes (his "meant to be" life)! The one who was always the leader (Jack), becomes the one who gives his life as a sacrifice for others. HE BECAME THE LOWEST BY HIS OWN CHOICE. Hugo is one of the FIRST to understand the sideways flashes, he becomes the most important person on the island and he chooses Ben to be at his right hand. Ben. Of all people. Hugo's love, care, weakness, and "last ness" made him the greatest, the first, the best character of the entire show. I don't know if the writers meant to apply biblical truth, but they did. They could have written the entire show off of these verses: "But many who are first will be last; and the last, first." (Matthew 19:30 NASB) "I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:28 NASB) "Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4 NASB) "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 NASB) This is proof that God uses even things of this world, to show His Glory. Lost will always be my favorite tv show. We are all Lost at one point in life, but not all of us will be found, or will find our way. For God's word is always true. His Word says: "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19:10 NASB) All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. (Isaiah 53:6 NASB) For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:14 NASB) The gospel can be found in many places; even in the most unlikely of places. One of those unlikely places, is in this tv show. You must have the eyes of your heart, open. You must be willing to see things from a different perspective. You must be willing to dig deep. God puts the gospel where you can find it, but you must be willing to look....willing to see. God even uses the ungodly to spread his Word, and his glory, even when they have no idea that they are doing it. This is because, whether you like it or not, God is sovereign. God is in control. God's purposes and desires stand. One of his desires, is that you come to him with your heart and with your burdens, and give him your life. God desires to save you, so that you can finally have joy, and find what you're looking for. Your sin has brought you pain, regret, and unfulfilled desires that only God can meet. You must trust Christ with your life, giving him your sin, and turning away from it. You need to ask him for forgiveness, confess your sins, and turn to Him. Accept the sacrifice of his life, for yours. Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Once you are saved, you can begin living a life of obedience, as Christ helps you and strengthens you. You can't do anything in your own power. You are just like Hugo Reyes, in one way or another...weak, insecure, passive, and unstable. You can be like Miles, who had joy in all circumstances. You can be strengthened by the joy of your salvation, if you will just choose Christ. Christ will use your sin, your failures, yours fears, and your weaknesses, to make you great in His Kingdom....and not the greatness, you always see as great...but greatness like that of Hugo's. Hugo was great because he could forgive. Hugo was great because he loved unconditionally. Hugo was great because he focused on the good in people. Hugo was great because he was empowered by something he couldn't generate himself. Hugo was great because he relied on other people, made friends, was loyal, and committed. Yes, any of us can do these things on our own, but can we do them well? Can we do them as well as we could if we were empowered by the Holy Spirit? No. Hugo was ultimately great because he was humble. When we admit our sins, confess them to God and to people, we become humble and we submit to the authority of God in our life. The book of Proverbs always rings true and it says in Proverbs 22:4 that the rewards of humility and the fear of The Lord, is riches and honor and life. Choose humility. Choose to fear God and put yourself under his authority. Choose life!