the set apart life.

the sun is filling this valley with warmth, light, and the promise of all things green! the streets are busy with bikes, families, dogs, and a generally happy countenance. new life is being born in the thawing ground, and the hearts that have been so long winterized. couples, long married and newly falling in love, walk the street finding one anothers hand at their side, fingers intwining. the coffee shop is humming with activity. iced coffee and italian cream sodas. spring gardening magazines. happy tunes from the guitar performer. kids wearing khaki shorts, polo shirts, and jelly sandals. the snow is but three days off the ground, and in many parking lots it is still piled high, but Palmer is already taking advantage of the warming rays. for me the inviting temperatures means lemon ice water at my side and a cotton coral cardigan. across the street the old train depot is the main attraction for playful dogs and kiddos alike, women chatting over the latest purses and the hairdresser new in town, and old men marveling the many feet of snow piled up this winter. its a good scene for me to observe. i'm so so expectant for the summer ahead. these are the days i long for a puppy or a loving human companion, but then sometimes only these things can be noticed or enjoyed alone.

   what new thoughts are being born in my mind with the arrival of spring? the Set-Apart Life. 

"I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst and be separate (SET APART) from them, says the Lord." -2 Corinthians 6:16 and 18. This is a concept that has long been in my mind, i have just been struggling to bring it to fruition. this set apartness was taught in the days of william wallace and lady marian, it was called chivalry, heroism, masculinity, and femininity. it was strength and courage of heart and deeds on the battle field and impeccable honor and decorum in the castle. so what does the set apart life look like and mean in this generation?  firstly, for women. in my mind this comes through devotion to biblical morals and standards so clearly mapped out in the Bible for us. this is the protection of heart, mind, body, and emotions. this is understanding our worth and valuableness in Christ's eyes. this means being set apart from the crowd. not in a way that screams for attention but is a quiet abiding in the supremacy and goodness of Christ. being romanced and pursued by the creator. women everyday have to battle their humanness, their need for attention, to rest knowing the goodness of the Lord. clothing ourselves in dignity and humility. gentleness and grace. resisting the clutches of devil and world upon our personality and identity. its a hard concept for me to wrap my mind around. much harder for me to be able to practice daily. for men? well its harder for me to put this one into words since i don't fully understand the minds and struggles of men but i do personally know what a set apart girl wants to find in a set apart guy. a heart, mind, and body committed to the work and glory of the Lord. a desire to protect and honor their sister, mother, and friend. a man of steel on the battle field and a man of down when caring for the sheep. a man who is thoughtful and loving in his actions and intentions. this is very jane austen. but i am not ready to say that it cannot be found in this generation. i am not going to start wearing ball gowns and curtsying when i enter a room and i'll still hunt and fish and climb mountains but its the set apart life that flows out of the set apart heart. our bodies, our styles, our speech, our likes and dislikes change with the times but the standards and morals of our God do not. a heart of holiness cultivates the soil for a harvest of happiness. i have had to actively work at allowing myself to be feminine, to enjoy loveliness, to show emotion, and to love that which is unique. may my King find me wholly and fully devoted. set apart for His good and perfect work. 

-em.