#MondayReflections

[thespectrespecss]

“I don’t know what your past is like, but in this life, YOU ARE A GUARDIAN.”

On a random Monday, I decided to watch Rise of the Guardians since Netflix had just added it back to their movie list. The last time I watched this film was the year before I really got to know Jesus. I didn’t expect it to speak to me on such a deeply spiritual level. It was like a message that had always been there—hidden in plain sight—just waiting for someone to point it out to me.

There was this sense of wonder that washed over me as I realized that God was beaming at me with that knowing smile, as if to say, “You see it now, don’t you?” It was magical—realizing he was speaking to me through this movie.

There were specific scenes that struck me on such an intimate level. It felt like God was revealing the season I’m in right now—in every area of my life: work, ministry, calling, relationships, future—and then adding his own “pixie dust” to reignite the awe and wonder in my heart. Here are the parts that had me crying and reflecting on how good he is:

The moment the original Guardians doubted why the Man on the Moon chose Jack Frost—even Jack doubted it himself.

He didn’t understand why he was chosen. He felt like he couldn’t do what the others did. And so began this quest to figure out why he was chosen.

This hit so close to home. Two years ago, I struggled with deep doubts about why God placed me where I am. Even last year, when I got hired as church staff, I found myself wondering, “Why me?” I felt like other people who knew me probably thought the same thing. I loved that moment when North (Santa) helped Jack understand that he needed to know his core—what drives him, what fuels his purpose—even if he didn’t fully understand it yet.

I related so much to that. I doubted myself because I didn’t know or understand my own core. I mean, six years ago, I thought children were little spawns of chaos (and honestly, sometimes they are), but even then, they would naturally gravitate toward me in any setting. There was something in me that was made to ignite wonder in children. It was innate. But still, I kept asking, What is my core?

The moment Jack taught the original Guardians how to actually interact with a kid.

They realized they hadn’t played with the children they were protecting in a long time. North said they’d been so busy trying to make the kids happy, they forgot to be with them.

That moment was so real. The Guardians started doing what they were known for—but there was Jack, simply being present with the kids. He understood what they needed. He spoke their language. That reminded me so much of how God pursues me—how personal and intentional he is. He’s present, and because of that, he knows me best. He knows exactly how to love me, what makes me happy, what hurts me, what triggers me. And he knows how to handle me best.

It also made me think of how I serve in Kids Ministry, or even fast forward to the day I become a parent. I don’t want to get so caught up doing things for God or for others that I forget to be with God and with the people I love. I want to be present. I want to love and be loved where I am—in every moment.

The moment Jack discovered his core: he protected kids because he genuinely loved and had fun with them.

He spent time with them. He had a bond with them. He carried a burden to protect them because he loved them—like how he saved his sister and sacrificed himself.

This reminded me of Jesus—so naturally nurturing, sacrificial, and deeply loving. He willingly gave his life. He loved unconditionally and forgave freely. His core was love. That’s where he led from, spoke from, and sacrificed from. I want that. I want a core that is grounded in pure, unwavering love.

When Pitch (the Boogeyman) said they couldn’t get rid of him because fear would always exist.

But the Guardians, now including Jack, said that even if fear is always around, they would always be there too. As long as one child believes, they would keep fighting.

This hit me hard as someone in kids ministry. We’re all called to love and follow Jesus, and to help seek and save the lost. Of course, I know God doesn’t need me to do this—he’s God—but how beautiful is it that he chooses to use me anyway?

He uses this ministry and our wonderful team to keep faith alive in the hearts of children. So yes, fear may come. Shame might sneak in. But we’ll help fight fear—with perfect love.

When Jamie—the last kid who still believed—worried that the Guardians might leave.

Jack asked, “Do you stop believing in the sun when the moon comes out?” and “Do you stop believing in the sun when clouds cover it?” Jamie said no.

And Jack told him, “It’s the same with us. We’ll always be here. We’ll always be in here,” pointing to Jamie’s heart. “Which makes you a Guardian too.”

Of course, this led me to Hebrews 11:1. What a promise—what an assurance we have in God. Even if we can’t see him, we can trust that he’s moving, working, and walking with us through it all. He lives in our hearts, and the same love he gives us is the love we get to share with others.

——————————

I’ve always loved this movie. But now? I love it even more.

I’m reminded of how good my Father is. How much he sees me. I’m still in awe—how could someone so vast, so majestic, take notice of me? I’m just a mere speck in this universe. And yet… he saw me. He chose me. He sent me.

I love when he speaks to me through the things I love. It’s so personal. So intimate.

He knows exactly how to love me.

How blessed am I? Why would I ever settle for crumbs from anyone, when I’m loved superabundantly by my Father in heaven?

[lifewithinn]

This Monday’s subscriber-only drop 🌸 Parallel Lives—a soulful poem on embracing your own journey. Because your track is yours for a reason. #LifeWithinn #SubscriberSpecial #MondayLetters

[laurakgil]

IS THERE ANYTHING WRONG WITH WANTING TO BE INVISIBLE? 🤔

This is how I feel, so this is how I write it. Is there anything wrong with wanting to be invisible? To go unnoticed, to finally live and do what you truly want without anyone caring? At this stage of my life, I find that particularly appealing. I can’t say the temptation of exhibitionism is entirely foreign to me, but how authentic is it? That’s the real question.

The truly important things in my life, I don’t showcase, I don’t talk about, I never post. Simply out of fear that they might get ruined. My most cherished moments, I keep just for myself, and I suppose we all do the same. We leave only the less significant things for the public space—the trivial updates, and we often post only when we’re genuinely bored.

How many people actually post when they’re filling out an application to buy a new house? Or when they’re anxiously awaiting the result of a job interview? Or when their children are hoping for news that could change their lives? I’m sure very few.

Keeping the best for ourselves is part of that instinct for self-preservation, to protect what we don’t want to lose, or simply because we don’t want to be judged if things don’t go as planned.

I’m writing this to be honest with myself and to also demystify what we see in the public space, where only a small fragment of our lives is shown. You won’t find our dreams, achievements, hopes, and daily struggles there. If you want to understand the reasons behind someone’s decisions, or the success or failure they experience, you have to engage with their everyday moments, and for that, we need to take the time to truly connect.

Yes, truly connect: seeing each other, sharing a meal, having a drink. It’s in those moments that we might allow ourselves to open up and express what drives us at that time.

Each day, I question more and more the time I spend on social media, searching for something I know I won’t find there, because what I seek isn’t in the public sphere but in the private one, where not everyone has access.

This piece isn’t likely to inspire a call to action or offer a moral lesson; it will remain a shared reflection, a reminder not to be dazzled by the neon lights and to pay more attention to the notes on the back of a receipt, at the bottom of an agenda, or in the notes app on your phone.

Have a great week!

#inspirarte #MondayReflection

[herohypnotherapy]

You have come a long way 💫 If you could meet your 10 years old self what would you like younger you to know? What would you tell them? What have you learned along the years that as a child you wish you knew or someone told you? Or maybe just say Hi to your inner kid 🧒🏻👧🏽👦🏼👧🏼 #mondayreflections #questionoftheday #throwback #innerchild #innerchildhealing #childhoodmemories #kidself #youngeryou #youthempowerment #reflections #positivevibes https://www.instagram.com/p/CKL2rX1FZ4o/?igshid=6sz9oll5i5mp

[iannidadog]

#mondayreflections #mondaymorning #streetphotography (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4uLe3WHgNO/?igshid=c6kv4xdycfxt

[dankmedia]

2017 day 240 - Monday reflections #mondayreflections #monday #reflections #eveningwalk #clouds #canalreflections #venice #venicecanals #venicebeach #losangeles #losangelesgrammers #dank #dankmedia #365photo #abc7eyewitness #nbc4you #cbsla #foxla #instagram #instagood #sunset #instareflection #peacetogetherness (at Venice Canal Historic District)

[ooosegoose]

#mondayreflections : so many doors but theres actually just one way. #Dear Diary, saturday I couldn't get out of bed. I was in pain not sure whether the pain was physical or not. Not sure but yea lets explore that thought later. Yet in all this, i am stimulated to give Thanks. Not just to The Maker. But to my friends, My foes. My helps The opportunities i have. I am spurred to be thankful by these quotes: ●whatever happens in your #life no matter how troubling things might seem do not enter the neighbourhood of despair Even when all doors remain closed God will open the door for you remain thankful ☆Elif shafak. The forty Rules of Love Sometimes we #focus so much on what we dont have that we fail to see and appreciate what we do have. _ Jeff Dixon #art #artbeing #illustration #fashiondesigner #fashionart #fashionillustration #potrait #artblogger #artillustration #wearableart #fashiondrawing #graphicartist #digitalart #digitalillustration #digitaldrawing #drawart #wip #statementjewelery #wearableart #digitalfashion #drawing #fashart #fashdraw #statementart #vibrantart ●Be you● be true● Be original Small jars cant hold big dreams. (at BBC Newcastle)

[simply-shakera]

MOOD: now that Mercury isn’t in retrograde anymore chile 😩 The last 3 weeks have been INTENSE. I N T E N S E! Definitely learned a lot of patience and proud of how I handled a few tough conversations and major decisions. Why does growth have to be so uncomfortable though?!? If you’re reading this, glad you made it through too. I would love to know something wonky or shifting that took place during the retrograde… or even something you learned. SHARE IN THE COMMENTS… let’s chat (we can call it therapy, lol) #simplyshakera #blessings #mondayreflection #torontocanada #melaninmagic #goodvibesonly #mondaymood #ootd #mercuryretrograde #flourish #wellnessconversations (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVMP5ydMKxm/?utm_medium=tumblr

[the-darkgirl20]

Situaciones de la vida real

Las personas cambian y muchas veces no es su culpa, sino son las circunstancias.

Simplemente yo

[thespectrespecss]

MONDAY CURRENTLY VOL. 7

Wel what do you know... MONDAY CURRENTLY after 9038429349348 years. Hahaha But yeah, just needed to really write all my thoughts tonight but I don't know where to start. So let's do it the structured way without me having to scribble so hard on my journal notebook. It has gone through a lot the past 3 months. Anyway, let's get this this started...

reading my previous journal entry, with the verses and points to remember when my heart flutters again. So cute of myself to write "hi, future lency. this is march 12, 2025 1:39am lency reminding you to read all these as necessary. God loves and sees you AS YOU. Remember that." Such a cutie, that girl.

writing I'll actually be writing a lot of messy thoughts tonight, with the hope to actually sort them out.... just the joy of seeing them all thrown up in a page, with my assorted colored pens, each color indicating a tone or a feeling-- or can totally be random too.

listening the raw, unfiltered, and no music background noise of 11:21pm in our area--- tricycle honks, motorcycle engines, our fan, car alarms. I have recently discovered that my brain works well without music as I tend to just sing most of it.

thinking about last Sunday's preaching, my friend's wedding next month, my two old friends (who I'm no longer speaking to) getting together and me realizing I have actually been shipping them both since (yung kilig ko :">), Moana 2, my fear of the unknown, Sundays. what to eat tomorrow... and probably everything else. It's a loud night in my head tonight.

smelling the rubbing alcohol I used to wipe stains off the table before putting my laptop, bible, and notebook here.

wishing praying for this week to just unravel as it should. that God blesses me with BIG COURAGE to just STEP ASIDE and do what he wants to do. At the same time, grants me protection from unnecessary thoughts and feelings. also more boldness--- in all areas.

hoping for a good yet affordable lunch tomorrow. I want lutong-bahay again.

wearing random pair of clothes I pulled out from my closet last night. yes, Mondays, I allow myself to be potato and gross.

loving the movies I watched today that God spoke to me with. he really meets you anywhere. I freakin cried so much with Moana 2. I don't know if it's a sunday hangover or my season is really just that season of embracing the big things coming.

wanting to take a warm shower. I probably would.

needing a time to breathe. I feel like I'm so all-over-the-place recently. I need to just 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

feeling so scared and sad and weirded out by so many feelings. I am probably getting my period any day now. Or maybe just need to take out the filter and just vomit this all up to God. I'm sorry, I have no other better term that could describe exactly what it feels like right now. What a Monday. The week hasn't even started yet for me. But despite all that... HE IS GOOD. I believe and trust that he is good and that he's seen it all, even the stupidity and eccentricity from none other than me... HE WENT AHEAD, AND HE'S EXCITED FOR ME--- for however it's going to be. He knows he's getting all the glory.

[nudreamr]

Hope you guys have a blessed Monday. Believe that your prayers are being answered and this is a new week that will be filled with new adventures, new blessings and more to live for. #mondayreflection #prayer #faith #art #design #repostapp #anchoredbeliefs #christian #catholics #blessed #newweek #welcomefall🍁🍂 #mondayofmotivation (at Downtown Miami) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2wVHQiBiMd/?igshid=1mm37xqjtsfxb

[leeloosesotericorner]

Everything around is grey. A great opportunity to surround yourself with color. Have a great, colorful week! #leeloosesotericorner #color #rainbow #decoration #psychic #colortherapy #psychicreading #theseareafewofmyfavoritethings #psychics #colour #thisweek #mondayreflection #tarot #festive #photo #inspiration #dailydoseofinspiration #holi #festivalofcolor #oracle #zodiac #energy #energyoftheday #psychicshop #psychics #psychicsofinstagram #joy #rainbowaesthetic #rainbows #colorista https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsnrj0rnzDg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1szccwu88kjx3

[kimilat]

I really do love Mondays for all the reasons listed, especially number 3. . Mondays are good days to reflect on the past week, and set your focus for the coming week. To set new goals, and celebrate your accomplishments. And maybe start that new project.... . How will you use your Monday? . . . . . #mondaymornings #mondayreflections #mondaymusings #freshstartmonday #newweeknewstart #newweeknewgoals (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrNjLvJHoeF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7hv6bsyjaaei

[thejustreflections]

there are empty spaces but you are fully occupied. there are blinds but you can clearly see. the sound is too loud but as if you never heard anything. the world is full of superficially pretentious madness. you are obviously deceived by the constants of a highly addictive technology. you are doomed. your decent consciousness has been slained. you just literally died from reality, from the real sane you. this is you. yes, you! this is me. this is us. . we became so impetuous the way we see circumstances. we became heedless at many points of ourlives. we can't deny that. . have you ever thought even just for once, that stars are blue when it's on its highest temperature? that white roses are still beautiful when it has withered? that benches are made to be filled in when they are empty? . we are but just a constant prey of this scary reality. . ❤️ are you on something that's taking you aback from what you really wanted? . share to me in the comments below. or you can also dm me if you need something to talk... just talk anything. lol. 🙊 im waiting... right here. 😍 . -- jon ❤️ // #justreflections #talktome . #mondayreflections #mondaynight #jonpageacabo #jonathanacabo #thoughts #mondaymotivation #reflections #q8instagram #writersofinstagram #writer #writerscommunity #milkandhoney #inkedmen #writingcommunity #menwhowrite #poetry #ofw #pinoyabroad #pinoywriter #writerph #writerskw (at Ash Sharq, Al 'Āşimah, Kuwait) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq73nEdAPN3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hgf9srnm7z1f

[marionannberry]

Happy Monday! A new blog about the creative life, filling the Artists well, hiking with friends and getting it all on the page. You can check out my latest post by heading to my bio. See you there! - - - #MondayBlogs #MondayReflections #Mondays #grateful #amwriting #blogging #keepwriting #artistsway #noexcuses #instagramwriting #creativemind #writinglife #healthymind #happy - @10minutenovelists @journalofawriter @kimteramoto @kellyteramoto @jacquinelsonauthor @jennakutcher @jacquinelsonauthor @jodieesch @carsonjoann5616 @juliacameronlive

[dankmedia]

2019 day 14 - Monday reflections #mondayreflections #monday #reflections #venice #venicesign #venicechamber #venicebeach #veniceboardwalk #losangeles #losangelesgrammers #dank #dankmedia #dankvenice #365photo #abc7eyewitness #nbc4you #cbsla #foxla #lamag #nightphotography #reflectionphotography #relaxyoureincali #peacetogetherness (at Venice, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BspgoNoB6SR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yrhlt53458zd