old fashioned pic
I have been pondering this a bit lately. And I was encouraged.
I have always been an “old soul”. I love old fashioned things, ideals, and my convictions follow a pattern of being conservative and more like those in by-gone eras. I am a true Old Fashioned girl. Now, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate modern conveniences or other things that come as perks and blessings in this day and age, but I have always had dreams of living in another time. I have joked about being born in the wrong era, of how “I should have been born way back when”. But I, of course, knew that this was more than just a joke. It was more of a dream if you will. This is probably one of the reasons I like to write, I transport myself into previous times and places that I can only go to in my dreams. And this kind of has a melancholy, sad feel to it, because I know this world will never return to such ideals and times again. In my life, I have surrounded myself with things from long ago. Clothes, pictures, books, stories.
I was recently looking through a webpage and saw this verse.

“You were born for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14
I have heard this verse before, and I understand the context, however, it suddenly struck me in a whole new way. I get teary eyed even now just thinking about the encouragement the Lord impressed on my heart with this.
I was born for such a time as this. My dreams and ideals are not in vain. I pray and I hope that the Lord is using those very things to encourage others in a modern world of liberal views, the world of doing anything because it is fun, the world of jumping and thinking of the consequences later. God has a purpose, not only for my life, but for the dreams He has instilled in my heart. He has a purpose for the fact that I am so old-fashioned that I have a passion for modesty, purity, and femininity. He even has a purpose for my love of ball gowns, lace, and an old fashioned waltz.  I feel like He has instilled a calling in me to take my old fashioned dreams and use them to encourage others in His ways.
Instead of looking at my station in life and becoming depressed because of this crazy world, how I “don’t fit in” or how I should be somewhere else, I need to look at it in the light of what God says about me. He knew what my dreams would be.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.” Psalm 139:15

He has chosen the time and era where I live for a reason, and I choose to live in confidence of that plan. Even if I don’t see all the reasons right now. Even if it doesn’t always make sense, and even when I am mocked for my beliefs and dreams. And especially when the enemy is the one doing the mocking. Perhaps my old fashioned ideals are here to encourage others in a better way.
I can guarantee you, there is a reason YOU were born for such a time as this. There is a reason God has instilled the dreams and desires you have in your heart. God has a purpose far beyond what you could ever imagine for the things that may make you feel inferior or backwards for believing. Be confident in your convictions. Be confident in who God created you to be.
Does this verse encourage you? How were you born for such a time as this?
By God’s Grace,
Victoria