During my campaign, I had so many parents tell me their children loved my campaign signs - not sure if it was the block lettering, my short name, or the color scheme. Whatever the reason, the kids were drawn to them. Maybe the Lord put an anointing upon each sign to cause the kids to be attracted to them because He knew the reason deep down in my heart for wanting this position was to help protect their future. Who knows? All I know is that while I have been given this limited amount of time and this awesome opportunity to lead, I want to make sure I use it to speak into their precious lives. So today, I invited some of my “girlies” that helped me during my campaign to meet me at the Capitol so I could spend some time trying to explain what my new job looks like now that all the campaigning is over + while I had their attention, I couldn’t help but take a moment to teach them a short lesson on becoming the Bride of Christ.
Using my ten-year-old Barbie Bride that has traveled around the world with me to talk to young ladies about becoming the Bride of Christ, we walked through some steps of what Brides are to do to prepare themselves for their special day. I started out by letting them know I have been praying a spirit of conservatism over their lives. From the clothes they wear, to the decisions they make. Many of them have no idea what that even means, but I’m asking the Lord to place that seed in them right now. Then I went on to remind them that not only is it time for them to get ready to start back to school, but to make sure they are readying themselves for the return of our Bridegroom because He is preparing a special place for us right now.
A BRIDE KEEPS HER FACE FOCUSED ON HER BRIDEGROOM
Psalm 34 “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” reminding them to always keep their eyes focused on Jesus and their face will shine. Or I guess you could say, "their signs will shine". The "girles" pictured below are my grands:
Savannah and Louise. I want them to be able to say that they were introduced to the Capitol before they were able to walk and talk.
A BRIDE ADORNS HERSELF WITH JEWELS
Proverbs 20 “Lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel” reminding them how important it is to learn scripture so they can speak it out loud over people’s lives. The Lord causes others to be in awe of your knowledge of the Word. The little girl pictured below, Baleigh Hegi, recited an entire chapter of Luke during a Christmas program at our church a couple years ago. Talk about being in awe ... I still get chill bumps just thinking about it!
A BRIDE MAKES SURE HER HAIR IS IN PLACE
Luke 21 “You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.” Sometimes life will get messy and it might even feel like everyone is turning on you and nobody likes you. But the Bride of Christ is to remember that not a hair on her head will perish no matter who betrays her. And she is to stand firm in knowing she is all that matters to Him. If anybody in this group of girls knows how to stand firm, I am betting money that it is Lella Rutledge. The sister of 6 brothers - yes, I said S.I.X. - Lella has had to live out what messy might look like with all those boys in her world!
And don't you love that smile on her face!
A BRIDE CREATES HER OWN GOWN
Revelation 19 “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns, let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints." Why is it that a Bride's dress is always different from others? I remember shopping for weeks for my wedding gown. I didn’t want it to look like any I had ever seen. Scripture tells us that every righteous act we perform while here on this earth now is preparing our dresses for when we get to Heaven. This beauty is McClain Ellis. During my campaign, McClain would help me paint the fingernails at all the nursing homes in my district. I can only believe that her righteous acts of the moments she shared with those ladies will be woven into her eternal wedding garments.
A BRIDE WEARS SHOES THAT FIRMLY FIT
Ephesians 6 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Your feet should be fitted with peace … no more worrying about tomorrow or what teacher you may get or friends in your classroom. The Lord is setting you apart and fitting you with the gospel of peace. So put on your dancing shoes and don’t worry about it! The three little girls pictured below are Lily Ryan Donahoo, and cousins, Rowan and Sybil Miller. I love the relationship they share as cousins.
LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, A BRIDE NEVER FORGETS TO DAB ON HER PERFUME
II Cor. 2 “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.” The more you spend time with Jesus, the more you look like Him, talk like Him, and even smell like Him in the Spiritual realm. People will be drawn to you and wonder what it is about you that makes you so special. Mother and daughter pictured below are Melinda and Carlee Bertucci. This precious little girl loves, loves, loves visiting our Capitol. It is the sweetest thing to watch her eyes light up talking about how beautiful our Capitol is and how she loves being there. I'm thinking she might have a future here one day!
And a special "thank you" to Speaker Gunn for taking time out of his busy schedule to interact with the girls and make them feel extra special by getting their picture made with him.
I LOVE GIRLS
I will be doing this again - I had so much fun. I'm still reeling over spending time with these precious little angels. Even though the Lord gave me two sons, He has been so gracious to bless me with two amazing daughter-in-laws, and now two granddaughters. I just love girls so much!
Please email me if you and your daughter would like to join me next time: Jill@JillFord73.com
Be blessed, Jill