After a brief hiatus Vicki is back with more inspirations for crossdressing Christians. I hope you enjoy this inspiration as much as I did.
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44
We all know this verse from as far back as Sunday school, and if you are still new to the faith, it still serves as one of the cornerstones of Jesus’ ministry and a warning of the dangers of conspicuous religiosity. My own interpretation of the teaching being , a “woe to you who parade around proud of the 10th, or 7th, or 5th of what you give from you abundant riches.” For me too, it has always been more about money than about other things, though pastors and teachers from my past have always sought to expand my/our understanding to include the talents that I have as gifts from God that were given to me to share with others. So when I saw this verse in the devotions that get sent to my e-mail every day, I pretty much read it, digested it, and with a been there done that attitude, figured I was done with Mark 12 and the widow for another year or two. I had little new to learn from this, sure I could be more generous with my time, talents, and treasure, but I knew I fell short, and thanks God for the gentle reminder.
But the Spirit apparently was not done with me and as the day went on the verse no only stayed with me, it began to take on new meaning. Having been absent for a bit of time from posting my little inspirations, I think the Spirit was telling me, Vicki, you aren’t even sharing a small part of what you have right now. Sure you could be giving more in a monetary way, but I’ve given you a talent and a perspective that you have neglected for a couple months now. The simple fact is that having accepted my Cross-dressing and an ability and venue to share God’s Promise with others like me and even beyond, I’d been of late burying that talent in the ground. (Another parable for another column). God was using this passage to hold me to the widow’s standard. Was I giving what I have, ALL I have to others? Sadly no, it was far easier to find other distractions to keep me busy, some fruitful to me, but none fruitful to God or to others.
I guess that is part of the point. Specifically when it comes to my cross-dressing it is easier to keep it under wraps and hold it to myself, showing a little here, maybe a little there, but never letting go completely of the little treasure I have to others. I’ve claimed that my dressing and feminine side are Gifts from God, but now hold onto them like some museum piece to admire and talk about, but never take off the shelf. To be sure, my intent is not to suggest all you dear readers need to burst out of the closet singing “here I am!”. But for me, it is clear that more needs to be done, by me, on this front. Though for most CD’s this may not be what God is asking you to share, there is something inside each of us that God has given us as gift, to be shared and shared abundantly with others. I’ve said before that I firmly believe that this gift we share, is a Gift from God. Whether you recognize it as The Gift to be shared or just a part of a fully realized and integrated person that now feels empowered to share other parts of themselves is immaterial. God has created us each to be a comfort to each other, and to share those parts of ourselves that do most to advance His purposes. I pray that we recognize the Gifts God is asking us to share and that we find the strength and encouragement we need to give gladly of all of that which was first given to us.
Peace to all
Vicki
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Vanessa here, thanks for the inspiration this week Vicki. Even to those who are not religious I think your message applies. Share your transgender gift with others and you could do a great service to them and the transgender community. You may inspire them to become more tolerant, or to cherish diversity, or just to realize that transgendered people can be good and caring. Sharing your authentic self with someone shows them an uncommon measure of love and trust.
Don’t forget, you can get Crossdresser Heaven automatically delivered to your Kindle. If you don’t have a Kindle, can you take a moment to write a review of Crossdresser Heaven? It would be a great blessing to me.
