Grat No:10 Having coffee with the Sun on my face

Another airport grat from Tammy...I find that the time I sit waiting for the flights give me a chance to reflect on the day; the week; the month...year....that's been. I often do a combination of computer work (yawn) thinking; or people watching- the latter two are much more enjoyable!

This morning Im flying out of Launceston,Tasmania back home. I'm grateful for finding some yummy gluten free toast at a cafe this morning (believe me it can be a challenge!) and enjoying possibily the best coffee I've had! Those of you who know me well, know my love of coffee, so this is a BIG call calling it the best, but...Ahhhh, each mouthful I just savoured. Whatever the girl making it put in it I dont know but man oh man I enjoyed it. Thanks God for having the money to buy a coffee. You provide everything- all our resources and lately I am reminded of that in so many different circumstances. I find it is a lesson that God is teaching me at the moment- Jehovah - my provider- I find its one I forget sometimes as I focus on the customers that give me business and pay my mortgage/rent. I forget that it all comes from God, my provider, and merely comes through their hands...and then mine...and others. Im reminded to be deligent with the funds that come through my hands and be kingdom focused. You rock God!

1000 Gratitude Challenge

We're thinking about following the lead set by Ann Voskamp at Holy Experience.

But we're going to work together to make a list of 1000 Gratitudes!

Do you want to join us as we reach our goal and begin to feel more joy, less stress, better health and more connected? Email us at:

melhynes@mac.com

Punk Pigeoni

Well HI ya' all, It's been a LOOONNNGGG time since I gratted- not to say that I havent been grateful but just often dont make the time to touch on the old keys..

I find myself up early and sitting in one of my God spots with coffee in hand...ahhhh.. I'm struck by nature again this morning. God often speaks to me through it.

For the last few days I've been watching this pigeon build his nest in a tree in my backyard. I've nicknamed him "Punk" cause he's one of those types with the mohawk bit on the top of his head. Pigeoni- well thats my made up word from travelling in Italy some years ago, so when you say it, please do so with an italian accent!! Frankly he is kinda cute for a pigeon!

Anyway Punk is a hard worker. He's up early flying back and forth collecting twigs in his mouth and bringing them back to obviously build his nest. His nest-I can't see- but it is towards the top of the tree, and he's such a clever dude that he goes in through the top and out through the side- front and back door if you like. I marvel at his instinct.

I sit here, chilled with my coffee and think "Man, I'd love to help you and make it easier for you." I could just get some string and ball it up; or I could leave some twigs closer to his nest so he didn't have to fly and hunt for them. When I was thinking this this morning it suddenly dawned on me that I wonder if thats how God feels about me- or us?

Maybe He's watching us going 'Ah, I'd love to help you..but' Now don't get me wrong, He does step in- often- but often too He doesn't. You see, if I helped lil Punk put together his nest then it would have my scent on it, and from what I know of birds (whic frankly is very little!), I think he would either abandon his nest; the chicks (are pigeons babies chicks??) or both. So by helping- or what I think is helping- I'm actually hindering him.

We often talk about the refiner- God molding us and allowing our decisions and experiences to grow us. Just like me with this pigeon, Im sure God wants to intervene all the time, stop us from making mistakes, or help things move quicker- hand over a few twigs to make it easier and quicker..lead us to greener pastures an all that..

Perhaps if He stepped in ALL the time our 'nests' would never be complete?

Just a thought... Tam

God spot

I'm so grateful for my "God spot" out the back of my house. Andie, you've been here before, and we sat having coffee and chatting (that was so nice!).

Every morning I sit out on my back deck, its not very big, but big enough for this fabulous day bed that I got (for a bargain!) last year. I sit and have breakfast out here. Sometimes I play some music; sometimes I just sit and listen to the birds. It's almost always sunny here (spoilt!) and I love just "being" here watching the banana palm trees sway. It's been like my little piece of paradise while I've been up here. I think I will miss this spot the most when I move on as it's been such a place of peace and refuge through this season. This morning I'm just sitting here with my coffee and thinking back of Gods provisions- like this one- refuge. It's so cool how looking back I can see how He's provided little gems like this to buoy me along the journey. My heart is bursting with gratitude this morning for these things. I'm praying that my next place has a spot like this- it's been so preciouus! :)

Hanging in the desert

I went to a seminar on the Gold Coast last night with one of my closest friends, Cam. A guy from the USA was speaking about times in the desert. He talked about Moses, and how he wandered the desert for many years- alone and with the Israelites. He said that these times God uses to refine us and prepare us for something big, the next stage on our jounrey with Him. He spoke about that it is in these times that we often feel the lowest and find stuff the hardest where God minsters to us the most. He draws close to us in these times and we can hear Him the clearest at these points- why? Well, I think because we listen more! In the desert you're alone, hot, tired and there is nothing around you to lean on or prop you up. It is in this time when life isnt rosy that we do seek more- more of God hopefully, but in our seeking we listen more. Look for His voice, for signs of life, water, shade. This guy was amazing and he seriously spoke to my heart last night.



I finally understood my year of 2009. Its like it clicked. God has completely taken away everything or everyone that I used to lean on INSTEAD of Him. All year He has been saying to me, My love is enough. I am. I am enough. All year I've been trying ot get it. All year I've been trying to practise it, and well, to be honest friends, I've completely struggled. I've been closer to depression and all those nasty lonless things this year than I care to define. I never thought I'd be where I have been, emotionally and physically, this year. BUT you know what, I'm SO grateful for it. It's been unbeliveably tough, unbelieveably, BUT I see God in it. I see Him walking in this with me. I see Him steering the ship, and now- finally- I get it, in my heart. I get why I've been in the desert, and you know, I love it.

I know I'm out coming out of it because I feel myself wanting to stay there now- which sounds completely ridiculous I know!! but we are so close now- me and my God- I hear Him; I feel Him; we chat. That's what He's taught me in the desert. If i hadn't had all my vices stripped away; if I hadn't had 'poeple' let me down and not be around for me; If I didnt have to struggle with doing many things solo that I normally would have taken someone to, or had someone to help with, I wouldn't know the depth of Gods love for me. I just wouldnt be able to get it. I understand that now. I get Him. I'm so greateful for my desert season cause I know this now, and I KNOW that he is enough. Isn't that cool!!


This guy spoke last night, and all I could do was nod and go "yep, I get it". I finally understand that God loes me enough to let me go into the desert for a season to refine me; to refine 'us' and our relationship. That's such a privilege.

SOLD!...or not

So I'm grateful for Gods hand on and in my life.  I'm on the property hunt at the moment which is both exciting and exhausting depending on when you ask me...

Today I went to an auction with my Dad on a property that was within my price range and looked like it would suit my needs.  All I asked God was to make it really clear whether it was or wasn't for me.  We got there are noted that there will be some major re-rendering that needed to be done on the property in the near future. My Dad got a real sense that we shouldnt even bid for this place.  There were a couple of other things that were supposed to be on the property to ie courtyard- that well, didn't really exist! 

So we listened to the auction with interest, kept our hands glued on our sides! and watched someone else buy it.  I'm so grateful that I feel really unemotional about all this.  I really feel God will provide for my needs on this front (not necessarily all my wants - lol).  I'm grateful that He made it really clear for me.  I'm grateful that my Dad could come with me as my support person, and that I had a really close mate praying me through the day.  Mostly though, for God and the way He's teaching me so much in this area of my life, both practically about properties and about Him being enough.  I'm really loving Him in this!!

God is good!

Wonderful warriors

I think I've said it once or twice this year before, so at the risk of sounding like a broken record....I'm grateful for my friends!

I have this little network of what I've come to look at as "warriors" in my world. God, I am SO grateful for them. They journey with me through the ups and downs of the year thats been; we laugh together at life and I share their journies too. What a blessing it is to have them in my world. I am SO grateful! They never cease to amaze me with their kind words of encouragement, the little texts or the prayers of love and support. They are real and honest and faithful- they indeed show me the aspects of God, I really see the face of Jesus in them. What a priviledge.

I wish I could give you all a glimpse into my heart and see it exploding with love for them.
My prayer is that, in return, that i can be even half the friend that they are to me. They are such treasures!
Tam

Thai, cars and signs of hope

Yesterday I took my neighbours dog for a walk along the waterfront where I walk regularly. I've only recently started soing this with "Brandy", a fluffy full-of-life shitzu. He's really cool, he's got a real overbite which cracks me up, but he' a gentle fellow and loves to get out and run along the wind pushing back his cream fur. He's a real dude, and a kind of subsitute dog for me when I miss my Millie who is having an extended stay interstate! I think I can speak for him in saying we both love our walks!! lol

We got back from our walk, and after a challenging couple of days, I felt refreshed and had my head full of my "God music" that I played as I walked. My other neighbour, Terry was waiting at my front door. He gave me a slip of paper with one of his clients names on it- saying he was looking for a car! how cool, I only told Terry that I was selling my car in passing the other day as I re-told the story of the scammers. I'll ring the person today, and whos knows what will come of it. To be honest, it doesnt matter, what it reminded me is that we never know what's around the corner with God. It renewed my hope in tomorrow. Praise God!

Terry and I ended up going out for a bit of dinner (mmm thai...) which was such a blessing as we chatted and ate. Thanks God for all this.

Grace

It's been a funny year for me this year. In some senses I think I've felt God's presence more this year than I ever have. In other senses the human part of me has experienced a lot of the 'challenges' that life throws at you- loneliness and solitude have visited more than I care to divulge! I find myself often disappointed in human nature. The last couple of weeks a number of situations have occurred that have torn at my heart. We can be really unkind as people- knowingly and unknowingly.

I've been trying to sell my car, and I very nearly got scammed last week, by a man posing to buy the car for his son. He was just setting out to rip me off. That's a long story girls, but again I found myself really disappointed and questioning why people do these things. A Christian acquaintance of mine up here, made some really nasty comments about me this past week with were really uncool, and again I found myself questioning why we do this to each other. Isn't it about love? grace? How disheartened I feel at all the selfishness, dishonesty and cruelty. How easy is it to get resentful of all this and become bitter. I so don't want to live like that. Lately I feel like I'm watching my own movie though with people just throwing stuff at me. It's been a real barrage of things just presenting themselves to me and I feel totally out of control watching all this occur in front of me. It's hard not to hold on to the feelings that this naturally brings up. Instead though, I'm choosing to turn it around. I'm praying for the scamming man! and the others that are doing these things. God reminds me that that none of us are perfect. I'm far from it so who am i to cast the first stone?

This year has been by far my roughest year (roll on 2010), but as I reflect on it I see God's steady hand with me. This morning in one of our 'conversations' He told me that He is here, and that He walks with me through every moment. He sees the disappointments and tears that others don't. He will never leave. How amazing is He that He still has time to care about lil old me! I think it's cool that He cares about the man who was trying to rip me off; about the friends who are unkind or the people who are not thoughtful. It reminds me that it's all about Him. None of us deserve grace, that's why it's grace.

So this long-winded grat and it's roundabout way it just that- I'm thankful for His unfailing love; for His grace and for His refining in times like these. Whilst it's hard to see at the time, I know that He is going to use all of these experiences for His purpose- so that's pretty cool.

tam

closing doors

Im grateful today that God has closed a couple of doors for me with things I'm seeking Him on. Of course, it's always easier to step through open ones,...as opposed to me ....

"step, bang, ...ouch, I guess that's a no then..."

Still, I'm thankful He does close some, it at least enables me to go "OK not there, right, next". and I'm sure He is preventing me from making mistakes too. Plus WHEN He does open one, I'll know and I'm looking forward to that day where He will confirm His presence and will.

Have a good week ladies :)

The simple things

I got up and made my usual breaksfats this morning- coffee and toast, and I sit outside on my back porch as I have it. Today I am grateful for the simple things. My mum visited me a week or so ago and made some strawberry jam for me. How clever she is and how yummy it tastes! I feel like she's poured a cup of love into it too! As I sit here on the porch, some of my potted flowers have grown- they are beautiful big pink flowers (ahh I'm not I green thumb so don't ask me what they are ok!). Funny how two simple things have brought me joy this morning admist all the up and downs of life. To think that God made these flowers for our pleasure- how cool He is. :) Tam

Money doesn't really matter that much

Hiya girls! Sorry it's been awhile since my last blog!

I am so grateful this week for the priorities I have in my life. I'm grateful that money isn't one of them, and ego isn't either! I've had a 'challenging' (read between the lines) week with a client of mine who has these two priorities as 1 and 2 respectively in his world. How much I don't envy that life. A life that is driven by these things. I know we all need money, it makes the world go round- sure- but wow, to have it as a 'i need more' kind of priority, well frankly, I think just stinks!

One of the richest men in the world was asked a question by reporters, "how much money is enough?". You know what his response was??

"Just little bit more."

How sad.

Girls, it doesn't bring happiness, it never will. I'm so grateful for my job, my pay cheque and being able to 'fund' my life, but man...seriously, life has so many better things to offer than just dollars!! I totally get why Jesus said that its tougher for a rich man to get to heaven. Especially based on some of the greed I see.

So thanks God, for perspective; for being able to enjoy the funds you provide; for being grateful for them, but for mostly for them not being a 'god' in my world. Man, I'm so grateful for that!

Love you gorgeous women!

Tam x

Grace

I've had really limited access to emails lately, with my internet problems increasing the number of grey hairs that are populating my head (can anyone relate!!??), so I've found that I have often been driving around in my car; or at home cleaning, cooking or whatever! and I've been thinking, "Oh that's something I need to write in my next grat"...funny though, as I sit in McCafe (go Macca's) and use their free wireless internet (grateful for this!) they all seem to escape my conscious mind. What's all that about??...and they were really relevant things too!!!

All I can think of right now- is Grace. Ah, I am SO grateful for God's grace.  There's a song that I often listen to and the words go "you're grace still amazes me, You're love is still a mystery. Each day I fall on my knees, cause your grace still amazes me."  How often I feel this. How often I feel like I just simply don't deserve His grace! The cool thing is, well,... I don't! but He gives it to me anyway! What a cool God we serve! What a GRACIOUS God!

I find myself regularly wondering where He is taking me in my life; I have NO idea. I have so many questions for God that remain unanswered. I'm sure there are reasons for this, I just simply don't understand them right now that's all.  I am learning though...S...L...O...W...L...Y, to just give it over to Him even when I don't get it.  Actually especially when I don't get it.  Maybe that's the lesson. I wish I didn't find it such a hard one to grasp and conquer! LOL. Bless you chicky babes, Tam

PS one of my pics from my recent trip attached- what great colours huh! :)

Better late than never!

Whoops, I was meant to post these while on holidays and just realised that they didn't go on (sorry Tam).

My grat today is for the priveledge of holidays. Lots of people don't get them; cant afford them or are simply so tried up with business or family that a holiday just doesnt seem to be an option.

I've just got off a 16hr stretch of flights, with another 5hrs of waiting then 5hrs of flying to reach my desination. I'm phsyically wrecked after a crazy work week lead up to this break, toppedoff with 3-4hrs of ordinally broken plane seat sleep!! BUT you know, my spirits are high. Im on holidays, what a priviledge! I got to sit next to 2 great people, one who had a love of photography too so I was literally absorbing everything he said; then all went well with the flights and I found out that I couldcome into Qantas club in the USA and have a shower! Ah, can I tell you ladies, it was BLISS!! Its often the little things that we, well,...I guess, I...overlook. Today though, all these awesome litle things keep happening and my heart fills up with more and more joy. It's very cool. Thanks God!

AND ANOTHER THING...before I left, I found my long lost favourite glasses, my favourite hat (its very funky!) and my jacket....top result! I just feel bubbly with blessings and gratefulness today. Thanks God for the reminder to stop and appreciate all the little things you do for us.

Tam

Where do I start? I will follow on from Tam's grat on the 'holiday' theme.

I too am away on holidays at the moment and there is so much to be grateful for. For starters my three children are all being looked after by the people in my family; my beautiful sister Mel, my parents and also parent-in-laws. I am so blessed to be able to have this opportunity to go away for a week knowing that my precious little ones are continually being loved and cared for.

I am thankful for a safe arrival to Chiang Mai. Unlike some people (who will remain nameless LOL) my trip did NOT involve the Qantas Club in fact I flew on the most budget of airlines I think I'll ever dare to fly on again! Go Air Asia! Not! Well if you've flown with them before, then you'll know why I feel so glad to be at my destination safely. I am still shocked that the seats didn't recline!

But on arrival, my husband and I were met by some lovely people that we've been corresponding with over here in Chiang Mai that run a children's home for kids that have been saved from danger (they were at risk of being trafficked and sold into the sex trade). I am looking forward to chatting with them more over the next week and meeting some of these precious little people at the home.

Upon our arrival at the hotel, we met some more of the missionaries that work over here and they had snuck up to our room to "check it was okay" and placed lots of bottles of water for us and two big bags of snacks (fruit, choccy biscuits, about 20 bags of chips, nuts, lollies, chocolate, juice, iced tea etc) for us along with hand made cards from some of the children at the home welcoming us to Chiang Mai. It was very humbling and I felt quite emotional when I read the cards.

Well the missionaries that will be showing us around left us to relax for the remainder of the day and recover from our less-than-comfortable flying experience. I am so happy to report that we rediscovered this super-fantastic coffee shop that we've visited on a previous trip here 2 years ago that makes the best coffees you'll ever taste... followed by dinner and a wonderful hand, arm, neck and back massage! I am so appreciative for this massage to sooth my aching muscles.

Well this trip has only just begun but I just know there will be so much more to report as the week progresses.

Andie

Shells

Here comes the devotional, get a coffee girls.. for God's little words through His creation.  I often come to writing my grat and start to write something kinda superficial, that I am thankful for, but that doesn’t really touch where I'm at on that day.  I'm sure that’s a protective, pride thing on my part- not wanting to worry anyone and let anyone see the valley that I'm in at the moment.  But this morning as I took a walk with God He was speaking to me about this.  Just maybe if I'm really truthful, my words could help others, maybe some of you guys feel variations of this in your walks. Maybe I'm being disobedient by not sharing some of these thoughts as the spin God gives me on this may help you also. So I resigned to swallow my pride and the fear that I have of you guys looking at me going "wow she’s got issues!!" and just be honest. I hope that’s ok!

 

So my grat/reflection/devotion this morning is about my new found shell collection! Each day as I walk along the water up here, I collect a shell that is an indication of how I'm feeling that day.  One I picked up the other day was really small and clean- how I felt, small and somewhat insignificant in it all, but like God was bringing me down to the bottom of the valley to wash me clean.  Today’s shell was what triggered this grat.  It's one of those swirly ones, quite beautiful really, it’s much bigger and amazingly its outer rim is still intact, all its edges are there yet as you look at it you can see many holes. Either it’s been eaten away (does anything eat shells??) or bashed up against some rocks and debris for some time to make it like that.  Dear God, I thought, that is so me!!!

 

I'm keeping the shells, and making a picture out of them.  I intend to keep them to remind me that as each day passes, it’s a day I've got through and don’t have to go back to; but mostly it's a day that God has got me through.  I intend to look at them one day, from a happier place in life (cause I know God will get me there!) and remember how it was His unfailing love that brought me through this time, that He was the only constant in life that would always be with me.

What’s in the meaning of a name?

You know, my name (Tamara) means "palm tree on a hill". For years I’ve joked with friends about how hilarious and tragic it was to have a name that meant this. Anyway, I always thought, man that kinda sucks, other people have names meaning 'gift from God", "powerful leader" and here I am ‘palm tree on a hill’! Whooppeee! Intense!

Funny though, as time has gone on, God's showed me that palm trees plant their roots firmly in their foundations. They are resilient, strong and in times of hurricane and storms, they are often the only things left standing. They survive times of drought and famine and stretch their leaves up to God still. Like anything though, you remove the foundation- you uproot them, they die. They need this for life. How very cool this is huh! At my house now I am surrounded by palm trees. How gracious is God to give me this visual reminder! So my faith journey is that, thank God that He provides the foundation! I have so many stories of God's grace and mercy to me on my walk- He blows me away!...hahaha, but not literally cause I’m a palm tree….

i angel

So after two massive 14 and 16 hr days and a lot of stress with work this week, as I got off another plane last night, SOMEHOW I turned my iphone on and dropped it and got off the plane- leaving it where I was sitting.  I walked almost all the way down to the carousel to get my bag and thought "where's my phone" and then (imagine this) just propped in a corner unloading all the stuff out of my hand luggage to try to find it.
 
Normally I'm really careful with these things, so I figured it had just slipped down into one of the pockets...but NO!!!! So, a little stressed, I walked back to the plane- and said a couple of SOS prayers to God "God I know its a material thing, but pleeeeaassseee, half my life is on that phone"....the logistics of losing it were creeping in....
 
A nice employee went to have a look on the plane for me...but NO PHONE. I had rung it already with no answer, so I tried again.....YES!! Someone answered.  This man had been sitting behind me and picked up my phone, the hostess (can you believe this!) said just take it to the carousel to see if you can find her- I think that was really dumb but anyway....so this man, who wasn't even waiting for luggage as he only had carry on stuff, said he would wait there for me to come. I was sooooooo grateful, as it is brand new and would have cost me LOTS of money to replace....aside from losing all my numbers etc etc etc
 
He was so nice, I thanked him profusely. So all the way home I was just blown away by the kindness of this stranger, I've asked God about 500 times since to bless this kind man in the white and floral flower shirt (yep!!) that someone would do something really kind for him this weekend and that God would just bless him abundantly! This is still my prayer.
 
Funny though, it really altered my mindset- Don’t get me wrong, I've been really happy this week, amidst some challenging work stuff. God's really provided AGAIN!! But it did make me want to love others more- unconditionally- just as I had been shown kindness. Another good life lesson, so I thank God for this perspective; for teaching me another valuable lesson and for my floral i-phone angel! What a legend!
 
 
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it.

                                                                                       Mother Teresa

He is there!

My plane that left one of the domestic airports at 6am this morning (meaning up at 4am!!!!) had to do an emergency landing because they had some "systems fail"- we got off the plane to see hydraulic fluids pouring out of the bottom.  Actually today girls I thought I may not be here to write this.  Kinda weird thought huh...but read on...

 

As we dumped fuel (I think) for some time as we circled in the air and as the tension rose from the passengers and staff, I sat and reflected on my life. I had 25 minutes and believe me when you're in a situation where you think, "Hey this plane could actually crash here" it gets the thoughts going even at 6am! Had I accomplished anything? Did I have major regrets? What would I change? How would people remember me? 

 

I concluded several things, that whilst the passenger next to me MAY remember me as the girl with the unusually puffy eyes! :(.....thankfully I regret little- though I have made many mistakes and have learnt much.  I also concluded that if I did die (a bit morbid sorry I know) that my family and friends would all know how much I loved them and valued them- this was a really great thought. I also thought "whoopppee I could go to heaven" and admittedly liked the idea selfishly of not having any more sadness in my heart, though I didn't want my family to be sad- a tricky one.  I decided that though I enjoy my job, it didn't really deserve much air time (excuse the pun!).  What amazing perspective such situations give us.  

 

...so as negative as this 'grat' is sounding right now...

 

I am really grateful for this time of reflection; 

 

I'm also grateful that we didn't crash!!!!; 

 

I'm grateful for those that I love in life and that I am loved in return- that's such a blessing 

 

but mostly I'm grateful for my God who is bigger than any plane worries, boy worries, sadness, bills, pain or anything  else that we spend our energy on.  

 

I'm grateful that I know that He always listens to the cries of my heart- both good and bad, and that He never tires of this even if very patient friends may in time. 

 

I'm grateful that though there are many times that I can't feel Him, that I Hknow he is there whether I'm circling in the air, crying!! or laughing with my friends.  

 

I'm grateful that as I faced a moment of 'potential eternity' that He gave me peace in my heart.

 

Bless you girls, sorry for the intense grats, but I think God's really working on me at the moment, so a little warning- the may continue...

The Lizard

 

...now the lizard...as I sit here on my daybed on the back porch (Andie's fav place at my house) I am watching my new resident blue tongue lizard, who I've just decided to call Harry, patiently wait for food- insects etc that he is basically stalking.  He was here earlier this week, before I left for conference.  Now for those "melbournites" in our group, lizards aren't exactly an every day occurance in melbourne backyards, at least not blue tongues, but in QLD I have seen lots of lizards, skinks etc and the odd blue tongue. Harry though, clearly has been enjoying his new home in my backyard (well at least for now before Mille my dog returns, when I have asked him to move on!...we will see how that goes..).

Anyway, I was watching him earlier in the week, and I was overwhelmed by his patience.  This dude just waits. He just sits, so still that if you weren't looking for Him you would actually pass him by. You guys know of my journey recently, lets be honest there's been a few rocks on my path of late (maybe a couple boulders also) and a few of you know how I am seeking God's direction on where I need to go to from here etc, and that God has merely said to me (many times in the last month,though different media and people- another good story for another day) "Be still and know that I am God".

 

So that's all I have been doing, everytime I get discouraged I here a song with these words; or a sermon; or someone random says to me, "Just be Still"...God is so gracious.  So now He has used Harry to convey this message. I watched Harry earlier this week, and again this morning, just sit PAINFULLY still, waitng for the right time to move. Sometimes he would just incline his eyes up, watching and listening. It again dawned on me that I need to be like my new mate Harry! Still, silent, patient, waiting, inclining my eyes and ears toward heaven.  How great is our God to use even these small creatures around us to bring His messages.  How important it is to obey.

 

As i sit here this morning and look out, I notice the beautiful frangipani tree that my neighbour has, that is flowering- my favourite tree; and as I am writing this I watch a blue butterfly- hilariously the first I've seen up here, and my favourite for a long time, flies by.  God gives us so many messages in the small things, I wonder how many I've missed in the past?

 

So that's my thought girls, I hope you gain something out of this. My personal prayer is "God, please make me more like Harry, patient and aware...but perhaps hold the somewhat unattractive physique and looks cause let's be honest, Harry's not exactly easy on the eye :)

 

Bless you girlies! I have attached a pic of my new mate for you all to share! Feel free to stick Him on the fridge if you need to grow in this area too!

Losing My Mind

Lately I've had this phase of losing things. It's truly driving me crazy.  I'm usually so careful with where I put things. I like order.  I've often said the state of my house is the state of my mind.  Usually when my house is a complete mess...well....you know that the old 'upstairs department' is in a bit of a state too!
 
As I travel so much with work, I tend to have a certain order of doing things. When I stay in a hotel, I generally don't use the wardrobes- I'm not one of these "unpack everything when I arrive" people, if I was I think I'd spend the other half of my time doing this! I only ever use the middle section of my case, so I can lock it.  I never use the outer zipper compartments as I know people who had had things stolen out of there before.  Sounds kinda silly in some ways huh? But for me it's all about boundaries and order.  I keep these 'rules' if you like, things are generally ok.
 
However lately, I have lost two pairs of perscription glasses (in 6 months!); one pair of my expensive favourite sunnies (that were a bit of a 'significant, symbolic purchase 2 years ago for me) and my FAVOURITE cream jacket.  I wear this thing everywhere, its perfect for work and casual and I simply love it.  I was thinking about it the other day with a "where did I put it" kinda moment, and just couldn't figure out what I'd done with it. SO annoying!! I really wanted to take it travelling on holidays too. This morning I woke up thinking about it, and still annoyed with myself for losing ANOTHER item that I love. Not only is it expensive but it's always you're favourite things that you lose. I still have my first dodgy pair of prescription specs! I mean, seriously, what's all that about!! Drives me CRAZY!!
 
So this morning, I'm sitting having my coffee on my back porch (my favourite spot in my house!!) and I said "God, please, where is my jacket? How do I keep losing things?"...and guess what...my mind went immediately to the front zipper section of one of my suitcases (gulp!), and I remembered that I had quickly 'shoved' the jacket in there before I jumped on a flight so I wouldn't have to carry it- I have broken one of my "I never put things in the front of the case" rules. So off I trot and ...ta da...there it is!
 
I'm SO grateful for starters, even though it is just a 'thing' in my life, but it's a favourite thing you know. I could have lived without it, but I would have been disappointed. (let's not talk about all the glasses that still remain AWOL!!)  But you know girls, what it taught me- or rather reminded me- was not about the material stuff but about my boundaries.  I create order and boundaries in my life for a reason.   God creates them for us. When I break them, I suffer the consequences, big or small.  God doesn't want me to hurt, feel sad or be disappointed, thats why He creates guidelines- for our protection. To guard our hearts.  Those who have kids, discipline them not because they enjoy it, but because they want their kids to be the best they can be. God doesn't create boundaries to be a tirant.  Boundaries are healthy and protective, and He loves us enough to let us decide whether we will step over them or not.  
 
The symbolism really hit me on this today.  Thanks God, for that reminder.
P.s ohhh, and THANKS for my jackets' return  to the fold  :)