What A Gift

The Word, my favorite three-year-old, coffee and mid-morning sun. It couldn't have been better...what a gift!

Every single day we get gifts from God above. Sometimes/most of the time we are too busy to recognize them. Gifts that are hidden in the normal everyday-ness of our lives. Can you find them?

As parents we can get caught up in the world's culture that parenting is hard. But hard doesn't mean it's bad. Yes, we are raising our babies without a village, yes, we are raising babies with working grandparents or broken networks of families.... that's tough. But I reckon we are starting to believe the lie of the world that leads us to focus solely on ourselves. Me me me and more me!

It's time to take a look at what we are believing about our kids and parenting, what the Word says and how we can apply it to our lives.

"“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”

- Ps 127:3

As Charlie sat across the table from me, she looked up at me and smiled and said what she always says, "I like to go by you mum". Which means she goes wherever I go. I love this.... what a true gift from heaven!

Blessings to you

Merry Christmas everyone!

I thought that I would share the benediction that Jamie shared this morning at Sunday's church service.

Gods' richest blessings on you all

The Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

May the love of the Father, the tenderness of the Jesus, and the presence of the Holy Spirit always be on your heart and bring peace to your day.

May God the Father be with you on your journey.

May Jesus be the guide to your footsteps.

May the Holy Spirit strengthen you, as they watch over you, on every road that you may take over this holiday period.

May the love of God uphold you and the wisdom of God always lead you.

May God’s whisper cheer you on, and may God be the shield that protects you,

May the beauty of God be reflected in your eyes, the love of God be reflected in your hands, the wisdom of God

be reflected in your words, and the knowledge of God flow from your heart, that all might see, and seeing, believe

May your holiday be blessed by moments of quietness, strength in your weakness, grace in your meekness,

joy in your gladness, peace in your stillness.

May your holidays be blessed

If Not Now, When?

I don't know about how you are doing in this time...but for me and my family we are on our knees. You only need to leave your front door, and the entire country is blinded by Cxxxd talk. Frankly I am tired of it. There are other things happening in this world, there are other things that matter in this country. What is happening in this country is WRONG. If not now when is a good time to pray? When is a good time to seek the LORDS face? When is a good time to immerse yourself in scripture? When is the time to seek TRUTH? So, I encourage you...pray for your family, pray for your friends, pray for your community and pray for your country. Presently we still have God mentioned in our national anthem.... now is the time to be singing it over our country. We have strayed very far away from God....now is a good time to get on our knees...don't you think?

(Lyrics from What if His People Prayed by Castings Crowns)

What if the armies of the Lord

Picked up and dusted off their swords

Vowed to set the captives free

And not let Satan have one more

What if the church for heaven's sake

Finally stepped up to the plate

Took and stand upon God's promise

And stormed hell's rusty gates

What if His people prayed

And those who bear His name

Would humbly seek His face

And turn from their own way

And what would happen if we prayed

For those raised up to lead the way

Then maybe kids in school could pray

And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue

Came from a hunger for the truth

What if the family turned to Jesus

Stopped asking Oprah what to do

He said that they would hear

His promise has been made

He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah

If only we would pray

If My people called by My name

If they'll humble themselves and pray

If My people called by My name

If they'll humble themselves and pray

(Lyrics from What if His People by Casting Crowns)

2 Chronicles 7:14

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Say Yes

Our world is chaotic and hurting right now. Viruses, wars and fires can make anyone feel helpless and lost. 

When the harshness of this world creeps around seeking to derail we must become softer, gentler, love fiercely, nurture more, be kinder and step lightly with more grace and mercy. Smile with your eyes. 

Notice tiny flecks of beauty as you go. The dapple of early morning sunlight through the trees. The conversations of the birds in the trees. The first flowers of spring. The cool dampness of the grass under your feet, the crunch of gravel as cars slows at intersections. The butter yellow flower that has grown through the cracks in the concrete. The warm later winter sun soothing away woes. 

Bring yourself fully to where you are right now and invite God to join you. Tell Him your secrets, your dreams.... your worries. He wants to know. Pray for those who you love and those you don't.

Create. Bake. Read. Cook. Sew. Paint. Sing. Dance. Say yes. 

Be soft to be strong. Don't let the harshness and uncertainty of these times steal anymore from you. 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10 v10

God's Word

The Word. God speaks to us through His Word. A place for me to find truth, comfort, discipline and healing. 

I haven't felt like writing much over the last wee while.... I've needed the space to heal and to be and healing didn't need to be public. Truth be told.... I've been grieving. While God clearly told us that we would be moving on from our church for over 15 years....to look at church in a totally different light and serving our community and wider body of believers, not just one particular place. I still grieved and have been working through the trauma that I've been carrying around with me for the past few years. Leaving a church is like leaving your family. You lose the community that we once were so invested in. You lose connections and friendships. It's especially hard when people don't understand, don't stop to ask why or turn their back on you because they are hurt you've left.

Church hurt is a real thing....and its brutal. If we were to be honest, I'm sure anyone who belongs to a church has experienced it to some degree and maybe even caused it to some degree.... just like family. It's important to understand that it's never God that hurts but imperfect people inside a imperfect institution. It's important to know that God still loves us even though we continually fall short. He never changes. Always is the same.

As I navigate this weird time...my safe place is in His Word. Seeking His face. His Word is my winnowing fork.

"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” - Matthew 3:12

Sifting through everything I have ever been taught from church leaders by reading His Word, searching for His truth has been an interesting journey.... because knowing His Word and what it says is what matters to me most. 

I continue to love my husband, my family and anyone who comes across my path.... because loving God and loving people is what matters most. This journey has been hard but oh so rewarding as we've had the time and opportunity to meet some beautiful people that if we hadn't left, I highly doubt we would be in relationship with now.

Mumma's Guilt

 Isn't though?? Anyone who tells you differently is lying. 

We feel guilty quite frequently...you name it we feel guilty for it. When we were a home-schooling family, I felt guilty I wasn't earning an income, felt guilty we couldn't give our kids the latest and greatest. Now that I'm a working mum...I still feel guilty. 

To be honest after 18 or so years of being a stay-at-home mum.... getting back into the workforce (into a job I have created) I am struggling. I'm struggling with not being with Charlie at home.... (she's with her dad or me). I feel like I'm failing my children by not being a homemaker. I feel my house is a place to eat and sleep...not a home like it was. I don't have time to bake; I don't have the energy or desire to craft or make.... the washing piles up; dinners are decided at 5pm and my house isa mess. Goodness I can't remember the last time the kitchen floor was mopped. Everything that I consider homely.... I'm struggling with not being able to do like I use to.

Jamie and I are tag teaming it every single day.  I work. He works.  He helps me.  I help him. I know it's the season we are in....and I am thankful that we have a solid relationship with a common goal at the forefront of our minds.  He really is the most hands-on dad, husband.... home dad ever!

I am also thankful that our kids are on this journey with us. They've seen God move in the most miraculous ways.... but seriously if someone could fold my washing and bake biscuits for me, I'd be happy. 

I don't think mum guilt ever goes away...ever! We just have to work through it. But let's keeping talking about with our friends....let's keep each other in check. Because there's nothing worse in doing the mum thing alone!

My Favourites

Every single year I read two books. Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. Both written by Frances Mayes.

Every single time I glean more depth out of these books. A way to travel, my sense of escapism and I get to appreciate the authors mastery if the English language. Peppered throughout with delectable recipes that I can almost taste.... the pop of dark purple grapes, the roasted nuttiness of freshly harvested pine nuts and the heady aroma of basil growing just outside the kitchen door. I can feel the height of the summer Tuscan sun, the rich earthy-ness of the soil and the coolness of the marble bench tops.

They leave me with a yearning to eat, to drink and to enjoy long lunches and dinners late into the night with good friends and friends of friends.

I don't know if it's the way the author writes but life appears slower.... relaxed and laid back. I sense within myself that is exactly what my heart is yearning for.

So, here's me enjoy the Sunday sun on this beautiful winter's day.

What are you up to?