I don't normally fall asleep on lengthy car journeys because I insist on staying awake to keep my husband company as he takes on the mammoth task of a 10-12 hour drive to our holiday destination, but you know what, I couldn't manage this year and so succumbed to much needed sleep leaving him at the helm. I take my hat of to him because he does the entire drive without so much as a hint of grumble. It is mentally and physically taxing so I feel the least I can do is to provide him with .a constant stream of refreshments and natter.
Today (day 215) I am thankful for journey mercies and His holy angels who were with us every step of the way.
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Friday, 27 July 2012
Thanking you Lord.......................
Father God today (day 214) I thank you for Your goodness, love and grace which continues to be sufficient for me and mine; for wonderful friends who always go that extra mile to demonstrate their love for us.
Today and always I pray;
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of my life, and we shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Today and always I pray;
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of my life, and we shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
One on one..................... so necessary
Life can get pretty crazy can't it, in the nicest possible way; much to do and only 24 hours to do it! Still I managed to pack a whole lot in to mine.......... thank you Lord for sustenance.
One of my favourite things to do is to spend time with my kiddies, one on one and honestly during term time it can be so hard to grab a window of time because if we are not working / at school then we are going back and forth to various extra curricular activities as well as enjoying time with our fellowship and family and friends. So it was a special treat for me today to go out with just one of my boys, Aaron and what a wonderful time we had. There was a purpose to our outing, he needed new underwear (I'm sure he won't mind me sharing this with you!), but you know there doesn't have to be, just an extra special time together. After persuading Gracie not to gate crash which actually wasn't as hard a job as it could have been, might have something to do with her friend who had come over to play, we set off.
It was such a priceless, intimate time of chatter, laughter and just touching base, without interruption and we even grabbed a bite to eat; it is lovely when time is not of the essence! Aaron commented on what a superb day he'd had out with me and that's good enough endorsement for moi!
Thank you Lord today (day 213) for my perfect companion and memories made.
One of my favourite things to do is to spend time with my kiddies, one on one and honestly during term time it can be so hard to grab a window of time because if we are not working / at school then we are going back and forth to various extra curricular activities as well as enjoying time with our fellowship and family and friends. So it was a special treat for me today to go out with just one of my boys, Aaron and what a wonderful time we had. There was a purpose to our outing, he needed new underwear (I'm sure he won't mind me sharing this with you!), but you know there doesn't have to be, just an extra special time together. After persuading Gracie not to gate crash which actually wasn't as hard a job as it could have been, might have something to do with her friend who had come over to play, we set off.
It was such a priceless, intimate time of chatter, laughter and just touching base, without interruption and we even grabbed a bite to eat; it is lovely when time is not of the essence! Aaron commented on what a superb day he'd had out with me and that's good enough endorsement for moi!
Thank you Lord today (day 213) for my perfect companion and memories made.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Many hands made light work.......................
I really am just very thankful today (day 212) for my loyal dynamic duo, Aaron and Gracie who insisted on accompanying me to school today for day 3 of 'sort my new classroom out for September!' Now we all know that moving home is mega stressful, but I nominate moving classroom for second prize. Monday was my 'where do I start, help somebody,' day.
Tuesday was my 'all things bright and beautiful,' day. Well it's amazing what orange and yellow backing paper can do to lift a dull dreary room. I hadn't been excited when I was told where my new classroom would be as it is a narrow, quite dark space and needed a lot of tlc.
Today though was lovely; Craig, Sting, Barry, Maurice and Robin entertained us musically as we plodded on with the endless jobs. Aaron experienced a little of what it's like to do 9 to 5 shift and Gracie carefully cleaned and rearranged a couple of bookshelves before deciding that this thing called work experience was not for her and made a swift exit to a friend's for the afternoon. My Aaron though has staying power and stuck it till the end and even took photos of his handiwork. Mission accomplished (well nearly!) The hot, hot sun meant we did feel like were doing a work out and so may be a couple of pounds lighter.
ps here is the second instalment to decision making.
Decision Making (2)
Tuesday was my 'all things bright and beautiful,' day. Well it's amazing what orange and yellow backing paper can do to lift a dull dreary room. I hadn't been excited when I was told where my new classroom would be as it is a narrow, quite dark space and needed a lot of tlc.
Today though was lovely; Craig, Sting, Barry, Maurice and Robin entertained us musically as we plodded on with the endless jobs. Aaron experienced a little of what it's like to do 9 to 5 shift and Gracie carefully cleaned and rearranged a couple of bookshelves before deciding that this thing called work experience was not for her and made a swift exit to a friend's for the afternoon. My Aaron though has staying power and stuck it till the end and even took photos of his handiwork. Mission accomplished (well nearly!) The hot, hot sun meant we did feel like were doing a work out and so may be a couple of pounds lighter.
ps here is the second instalment to decision making.
Decision Making (2)
| 'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.' Proverbs 16:3 | |||
| Here are two important things to remember when
you're making an important decision: 1) Believe that God is directing your steps. Because He is! 'The Lord directs the steps of the godly...Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand' (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT). God didn't say you wouldn't stumble. He just promised to pick you up, dust you off, correct you when you need it, and keep working with you. J. I. Packer says: 'A moment of conscious triumph makes one feel that after this, nothing really matters; a moment of seeming disaster makes one feel like this is the end of everything. But neither feeling is realistic, because neither event is really what it's felt to be.' So don't get bent out of shape; by God's grace you'll handle it and come out wiser. 2) Realise that God can bring good out of bad situations. 'And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them' (Romans 8:28 NLT). In every success story you'll find struggles and setbacks. And you'll also find tenacious faith that refuses to give up. After listing a series of adversities that would make your worst day seem like 'a trip to the beach,' Paul writes: '...None of these things move me...' (Acts 20:24). Where does such a n attitude come from? It comes from knowing that God is working in you, He's working with you, and He's working through you. And as Ethel Waters used to say, 'My God don't sponsor no flops! I love it! |
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Decisions, decisions........... you are not alone!
During the last couple of weeks, in particular at school I have found myself in situations where I have had to make decisions about various situations that have arisen and it hasn't been easy. Even after putting the situations before my Father and knowing that He has by best interest at heart and that my well being is uppermost in His mind it can still be difficult to fully rest in the peace of the my decision. Doubt quickly sets in. As always my life manual holds the answers to ease my unease.
Decision Making (1)
Decision Making (1)
| 'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.' Proverbs 16:3 | |||
| If all your life you've been warned about making
bad decisions, fear can cause you to miss God-given opportunities. 'If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?' (1Corinthians 14:8 NIV). Now you're like the mule standing between two bales of hay; unable to decide which one to eat and afraid of making the wrong choice, you starve to death. You must act! Your need to do things perfectly and your desire to control every possible outcome will keep you stuck. So: 1) Stop trying to please everybody. 'Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety' (Proverbs 29:25 TLB). Once you know what brings you fulfilment, as long as it's God's will, chart your course accordingly and refuse to let the opinions of others stop you or colour your view. 2) Remember, over time your goals can change. What's needed today may not be right for you a year from now. So reassess your plans regularly and be willing to change direction. 'We should make plans-counting on God to direct us' (Proverbs 16:9 TLB). When your spiritual gut says no, pay attention. 3) When God is on your side, you'll prevail. Somebody asked Abraham Lincoln if he was sure that God was on his side. He replied, 'I haven't thought much about it. I just want to know I'm on God's side.' It's normal to speculate about how you'd like things to turn out, but God alone controls the future. Just trust Him.' Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Tell me I am not alone in the tangled web that is 'decision making!' From the moment I wake up in the morning it starts; decisions, decisions. The message here is clear, trust in the Lord and not in man's outlook or opinion, which at the best of times can be unreliable. For me the second point has been the strongest and most clear advice that has seen me through in my decision making recently and today (day 211) I am truly thankful to my God given life manual. I hope it will minister to you in the same way it did to me. |
Monday, 23 July 2012
Search for the hero...............
In life there are so many earthly people to look to for inspiration; our parents, spouses, children, friends, teachers, work colleagues, people in our community and further afield who have made a difference or left a legacy.
Today I was reading up on all things olympic and came across '50 Britons to watch' at the paralympic games. As I read each one I had to pause for a while to absorb each one's story. Most had been injured in accidents; accidents that had left them unable to resume their normal lives, but instead they had to search deep within to find the courage to continue a new life, full of new challenges / uncertainty. Their journeys had brought them to the 2012 games where they will compete in a variety of events in the hope of collecting the ultimate prize, the gold medal! To get to the point of competing they would have had to, in the words of the song by M People, 'search for the hero inside.' It is one of my favourite songs of all time.
Sometimes the river flows but nothing breathes.
A train arrives but never leaves.
It's a shame.
Oh life - like love that walks out of the door,
Of being rich or being poor.
Such a shame.
But it's then, then that faith arrives
To make you feel at least alive.
And that's why you should keep on aiming high,
Just seek yourself and you will shine.
[chorus]
You've go to search for the hero inside yourself,
Search for the secrets you hide.
Search for the hero inside yourself
Until you find the key to your life.
In this life, long and hard though it may seem,
Live it as you'd live a dream.
Aim so high.
Just keep the flame of truth burning bright.
The missing treasure you must find
Because you and only you alone
Can build a bridge across the stream.
Weave your spell in life's rich tapestry -
Your passport to a feel supreme.
The sometimes daily grind of life causes us to dig deep, but thank goodness we have a Hero whose body was broken for you and I. Today (day 210) I am thankful to have come across the profiles of some very inspirational people and salute them.
Today I was reading up on all things olympic and came across '50 Britons to watch' at the paralympic games. As I read each one I had to pause for a while to absorb each one's story. Most had been injured in accidents; accidents that had left them unable to resume their normal lives, but instead they had to search deep within to find the courage to continue a new life, full of new challenges / uncertainty. Their journeys had brought them to the 2012 games where they will compete in a variety of events in the hope of collecting the ultimate prize, the gold medal! To get to the point of competing they would have had to, in the words of the song by M People, 'search for the hero inside.' It is one of my favourite songs of all time.
Sometimes the river flows but nothing breathes.
A train arrives but never leaves.
It's a shame.
Oh life - like love that walks out of the door,
Of being rich or being poor.
Such a shame.
But it's then, then that faith arrives
To make you feel at least alive.
And that's why you should keep on aiming high,
Just seek yourself and you will shine.
[chorus]
You've go to search for the hero inside yourself,
Search for the secrets you hide.
Search for the hero inside yourself
Until you find the key to your life.
In this life, long and hard though it may seem,
Live it as you'd live a dream.
Aim so high.
Just keep the flame of truth burning bright.
The missing treasure you must find
Because you and only you alone
Can build a bridge across the stream.
Weave your spell in life's rich tapestry -
Your passport to a feel supreme.
The sometimes daily grind of life causes us to dig deep, but thank goodness we have a Hero whose body was broken for you and I. Today (day 210) I am thankful to have come across the profiles of some very inspirational people and salute them.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Sticks and stones ......................
It is so so important, in fact, crucial as parents that we make sure we constantly build our children's self esteem and confidence as much as we can because they will get knocks along the way. Now I am not one to brag, but where my husband and children are concerned I make no apologies........... Now my boys are most handsome and my Gracie, a little beauty, but not just on the outside, but also on the inside.
Life being life and people being people I cannot legislate for what my children might encounter outside of their home and today Aaron was quite upset about something he had experienced. He had gone out to play tennis with two friends and said he heard someone poking fun at the shape of his head. Now my instinctive reaction was to take up my battle spear and go to seek out and confront, but thank goodness that common sense and the strong arms of my husband were there to hold me back!!!!. I explained to him that unfortunately most of us have been or will be subject to similar comments at some point in our lives; growing up I was teased for having skinny legs (this had quite an impact on my confidence way into my adulthood) and also for wearing glasses.
As a family we all talked to him to encourage him about the fact that he is perfectly made, in His Father's image and took the opportunity to talk about the forthcoming Olympics, focusing on the paralympic athletes and the adversities they have had to overcome. Importantly that each of them are unique whole beings with incredible gifting just as he is. Big brother Sam continued to build him up by reminding Aaron that only just recently when he went to take his music exam one of the examiners commented on how handsome he was. You see it's not my imagination!
Honestly it hurts me very much when my children feel hurt by mindless behaviour like this, but you know what Aaron has gone to bed knowing that he is very much loved, regarded and highly favoured and today (day 209) I really am most thankful.
Life being life and people being people I cannot legislate for what my children might encounter outside of their home and today Aaron was quite upset about something he had experienced. He had gone out to play tennis with two friends and said he heard someone poking fun at the shape of his head. Now my instinctive reaction was to take up my battle spear and go to seek out and confront, but thank goodness that common sense and the strong arms of my husband were there to hold me back!!!!. I explained to him that unfortunately most of us have been or will be subject to similar comments at some point in our lives; growing up I was teased for having skinny legs (this had quite an impact on my confidence way into my adulthood) and also for wearing glasses.
As a family we all talked to him to encourage him about the fact that he is perfectly made, in His Father's image and took the opportunity to talk about the forthcoming Olympics, focusing on the paralympic athletes and the adversities they have had to overcome. Importantly that each of them are unique whole beings with incredible gifting just as he is. Big brother Sam continued to build him up by reminding Aaron that only just recently when he went to take his music exam one of the examiners commented on how handsome he was. You see it's not my imagination!
Honestly it hurts me very much when my children feel hurt by mindless behaviour like this, but you know what Aaron has gone to bed knowing that he is very much loved, regarded and highly favoured and today (day 209) I really am most thankful.
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