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

Boy or Girl?

Today I wanted to reflect on my gratitude for the beautiful group of girls from my LifeGroup. They are 7 of the most funny, friendly and loving people and I am so appreciative of them. Last night we had a baby shower for three of the girls who are pregnant and due in the next few months. It was such a great night of laughs, yummy food and some funny baby shower games! I personally love new babies...I love the anticipation and celebration of the new life that is growing inside these beautiful women... and I love friends who I can share the ins and outs of life with. This past year has been full of a lot of highs and lows for me and several of these girls have been there with through it. My gratitude is for their love and support and for the inspiration and encouragement that they continue to be to me. I feel very blessed with this group of girls.

Baskets baskets baskets galore

I got the best bargain today. I have been waiting for over 2 years to find really cheap nice brown baskets to match my house and today FINALLY I went to Sam's warehouse and wallaaaah I got the most perfect baskets of various sizes for ultra CHEAP! They were basically giving them away LOL. I am grateful for this bargain that has now become my mothers day present - is it wrong that I am already using them?!

Mel

All in a days work

Today's gratitude focusses on the privilege of working. I feel really grateful that I am able bodied (although maybe bleary eyed a lot of the time) am quite capable of typing, emailing, faxing, creating spreadsheets, downloading and basic account keeping - just to name a few things. Sometimes I sit in my study (like this evening) and I multitask several of these things all at once!!! Gee it feels good lol! So tonight my grat is for the ability to work, be it for our business, our personal family affairs, my admin job or even of a more social nature...it feels good to have these skills and be able to use them:)

Mel

Fairy Party

Today my 3 year got to go to a Fairy Party at a dance school. It was such a great party - very well run and I feel really grateful that she was able to have such an awesome time dressing up, dancing, playing games, eating party food and doing the obstacle course etc. Plus it was lovely to have a chance to see her playing and having a great time with her new kinder friends. I was also really grateful to see how confident she is becoming. She was such a happy and willing participant and while I checked on her from time to time, she was absolutely content to join in and follow the 2 girls who were running the party's instructions. It just really warmed my heart and again reassured me how my quietly confident child is really 'growing up'!

This and that...

On a final note, I am grateful for all the 'little things' that are adding up to such a blessed life for me right now. Although I have faced lots of tough times this year, I have been challenged to grow, learn and to stretch myself in really major ways.

I am grateful for my ongoing studies and the chance to do something I love - learn! Also grateful for my role as a tutor this year, it has been a new and fun experience for me and I have been really proud of my own confidence in taking this on!

I am grateful for our 'new' place. How blessed to be able to set up a little home of our own with so many new things we were given for our wedding. I am loving having candles and fairy lights on, listening to music, sitting on our deck and sipping a glass of wine. Just feels so perfect I almost have to pinch myself.

I am grateful also for my growing sense of self-compassion as I continue to face high levels of stress, loss and being in a position where I am having to actively confront some of the difficult times from the past. I feel confident in my ability to support myself and I also feel confident that I am surrounded my people who are willing to support me (husband, family, counsellors and friends) what a huge blessing!

Now time to go sleep - another thing to be grateful for, the chance to sleep in this morning. A true luxury these days!!

Two wonderful little people...

I am grateful for my two beautiful little nieces who bring so much light into the world and for the chance to go and visit family interstate recently. What a blessing to share in the lives of these little people as they grow and develop their own personalities.

Also always grateful for hot drinks (GJ's), chats and the fact that when gained a brother I also gained another sister too. Woot for me!