Friday 30 November 2012

Soul Wonder


Join me in the Five Minute Friday Challenge hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker. Participants write for 5 minutes with no editing, no over thinking, and no backtracking. This week’s word is: Wonder.


(Go)

The humid early evening air clung to my sticky skin. I had just reminded the oldest boy for the umpteenth time to stay on track with his jobs that should have been finished an hour ago. The youngest had been sent to his room to play – in the hope of there being one less distraction for his brother.

I just needed to escape. To sit and focus on breathing. Sometimes my chest aches with the need. This was one such time. My mind was as messy as the room around me. Barely holding it together emotionally. I reached for the laptop. To see how other’s lives were. To take a brief holiday from my own. Desire for distraction went deep.

And then I saw it. In all its glory. The moon peeking in at me. It was stunning. Hiding behind a thin veil of clouds. Big and round and still. I went outside to get a better view.

In the midst of the mayhem I stood in wonder. Soaking in the quiet beauty.

'He restores my soul...' Psalm 23:3a

Unfortunately the photo doesn't do the reality justice.
For better effect - cover the streetlight with your finger


(Stop)

Now, your turn…

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Nifty Notion #5: Super Simple Guilt Free Ice Cream


This is so yummy. So simple. So (actually) good for you!


Banana, Mango, Coconut 'Ice Cream'.
Serves 3-4

You will need:
2-3 bananas
2 mangos
½ cup desiccated coconut (optional)

chopped fruit - ready to freeze
How to:
  1. Slice and dice fruit into small pieces.
  2. Spread evenly in a single layer in a container or on a tray.
  3. Freeze.
  4. Once frozen, place chopped fruit (with coconut) into a food processor and blend until smooth.
  5. Scoop into bowls.
  6. Devour!!! (In the most lady-like/gentlemanly manner of course!)
yes, it was as good as it looks!


Tips:

  • The most basic ‘ice cream’ can be made with banana only. You can experiment with whatever fruits you so desire but it is important to use banana as the base - otherwise the consistency may be too thin and runny.

  • Once made, it is best to consume the entire quantity straightaway. Only blend up as much as is needed at the time.

Experiment, have fun, and report back here with all successful (i.e. delicious) blends!


Friday 23 November 2012

Thankfulness


Join me in the Five Minute Friday Challenge hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker. Participants write for 5 minutes with no editing, no over thinking, and no backtracking. This week’s word is: Thank you.


(Go)

Things I’m thankful for…
House to call home. Heaven sent and provided.
An amazing husband. He’s awfully nice.
Not so wonderful days – to help me better appreciate the good ones.
Kids who send me crazy but then do sweet cute things that bring a smile.

Yummy food in my pantry and on my plate.
Ordinary. Who really needs big and fancy anyways?
Understanding Heavenly Father who loves me. Wow!

(Stop)

Now, your turn

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Just Because


He sat there, smiling, as the tears ran in rivers down his freckled cheeks. Finally grasping the meaning behind the symbolism in his story book.

We bought it for him when he was about three or four. Love is not a strong enough word. We would read it over and over again until he could quote it word for word even though he could not yet read for himself.

Several years have passed. He has moved on to other stories now.

We have also learned more about him; that he takes everything literally. That he needs help sometimes with comprehension. All part of the Asperger's he was finally diagnosed with last year.

He gets down on himself. Really down. He does not require anyone’s help to do that. So when other kids at school notice him, notice his quirks, and comment - it’s not good. Maybe they do not even realise what they said. Or that he would take it that way. Maybe they were not even being nasty.

Determined not to let him spiral any further down in this latest ‘I’m no good’ session, I stepped in. Or rather God did – and He let me help. It was Mummy and her boy time.



Gathering Max Lucado’s ‘You Are Special’ and leading him by the hand to a quiet chair at the far end of the house, we read the story together. And then we did what I only wish had occurred to me much, much sooner; years sooner.

I explained what it all meant; who the characters represented. What their actions symbolised. He had never understood any of this. I told him over and over again, “You are special because God made you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks or says. He doesn't make mistakes. You are special just because.”

He cried. I cried. It was sacred…

Dear friend, I share this with you because I want to be sure that you grasp this all important truth too. Let God take your sweet face (yes, that’s yours) in his gentle hands and listen to Him say, “You are special just because I made you. You are loved. You are enough. That is all.”



NB: I am in no way being compensated for sharing about Mr Lucado’s book. I simply believe it contains truth that every heart needs to know.

Friday 16 November 2012

Flimsy Boundaries


Join me in the Five Minute Friday Challenge hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker. Participants write for 5 minutes with no editing, no over thinking, and no backtracking. This week’s word is: Stay.


(Go)

3pm. Time to walk to school to collect my eldest son. His soft little hand in mine my younger boy and I head out the front gate and up the street.

Greeting us at the house next door is a sweet but grubby faced toddler. She is alone. I can hear her parents yelling at the older brother in the house. I wonder if they realise she has wandered out of the open door.

She smiles at us and we say ‘hello’. She pushes against the rusty metal. The flimsy gates do little to retain her. They don’t really close properly and she could easily escape.

I’m really worried. Two houses up is a main road. What if she tries to follow me? I close the gate again and latch it as best it will – which is barely at all. Glancing at the gaping space where the front door should be I pray that the people belonging to the loud angry voices realise she is there. I tell her to stay. To go find Mummy.

Looking back as I reach the corner, I am relieved to see that she has remained where it’s safe.

(Stop)

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward. (NIV)


Now. your turn…

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Nifty Notion #4: Pill Popping Preparation


I take tablets. A small handful every day. At least I should. The truth is I often can not be bothered. I know I need them. I know they will help me function but in the moment am often too tired to be bothered standing there opening all the containers and getting them out. So I don’t (and end up paying for it).

A month or so ago a brilliant idea whirled into my head. I often say that I would be happy to take them if someone else would just get them all ready for me. What if that someone was me? What if I could get all my tablets for the week prepared and only have to deal with all those containers once a week?

I became a woman on a mission. I needed one of those handy compartmentalised pill travel sets. A big one. Most of the ones I had seen around were too small.  Just when it seemed all options had been exhausted (as was I), my ‘Hallelujah’ moment arrived. The girl at the chemist was very helpful. She listened to my dilemma. Looked at me as if I was a bit strange (let ‘em think what they like) and then sold me the most expensive piece of plastic I have bought without a lifetime warranty attached.



This has space for four lots of tablets per day for a week. Twenty eight wonderful sections. Requiring only two spots a day, I can fit a fortnights worth in this handy apparatus. Yeah!

So far the whole concept has worked really well. The costly contraption has earned its keep. I guess that means it can stay.


PS - Cheaper versions of this do exist. I know. I saw one the other day *sigh*



undefined

Friday 9 November 2012

Along Came Heartburn


Join me in the Five Minute Friday Challenge hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker. Participants write for 5 minutes with no editing, no over thinking, and no backtracking. This week’s word is: Quiet.

 Five Minute Friday

(Go)

Be still. Be quiet. Oh I have needed to do that so much lately. The desire has certainly been there but somehow life gets in the way and well…you know.

And then along came this week. Exhausted and dizzy. Did I mention exhausted and dizzy? Energy. What’s that? Try to do a simple task? Dizzy.

I did what I could, which wasn't much and just sat and thought the rest of it. Not sure last night how the house was going to get clean before my step-son arrived today, prayers were sent upwards.

Along came heartburn. And not just any old mild version of it. Noooo we couldn't do that! It had to be the full on don’t-move-or-you’ll-get-massive-pain version. Too painful to do much talking even.

This isn't what I asked for!!! It’s what I needed. No not the exhaustion or dizziness or heartburn. But quiet.

Quiet. Time to think. To re-evaluate. Time to rest. Time to be still and know that ‘I am’ God.

(Stop)

Now, your turn…

Friday 2 November 2012

Weeds Have Roots


Join me in the Five Minute Friday Challenge hosted by Lisa-Jo Baker. Participants write for 5 minutes with no editing, no over thinking, and no backtracking. This week’s word is: Roots.

Five Minute Friday

(Go)

Weeds have roots. Lots of roots. I can verify this - I have been weeding my garden. There are more weeds than plants we want to keep. We’ve neglected it a bit, but it feels so good to get out and clear the unwanted stuff out the way.

The kids want to help. We show them what to do. Most importantly we tell them to make sure they get the roots. If they don’t, the weeds will just be back quicker than ever. The whole process will have to start over.

Troubles have roots. You can’t deal with an issue by just getting rid of the bit you can see. Lurking underground are the roots, just waiting to sprout again. Sometimes it takes several attempts to get them all out. Persistence is the key. A willingness to keep coming back until it’s all gone.

The good plants have roots too. If you break them, the plant suffers. Roots are important.

Eph 3:17  Then Christ will live in you through faith. I also pray that love may be the ground into which you sink your roots and on which you have your foundation. (GW)

(Stop)

Now, your turn…
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...