Sometimes It's Okay If The Only Thing You Did Today Was Breathe

So I've been gone a little while...  I'm not sure that I'm completely back. But writing has been calling my name again and I think I'm finally ready to take a great big breath and try once more. Even if it's only intermittent for now...

Much has changed for me since we last spoke. I've had a lot of healing to do. It took me thirteen years to gather up all the pain  and one blessed year to hand it completely over to The One and leave it there. It's been a time for quiet. To take thoughts captive. To release them once and for all. To forgive. To find joy. To heal. To breathe. I can honestly say I've moved on. 

Now I wonder, 'What's next?'

While I can't answer that question fully, I feel deep within that something new is waiting just over the horizon. He hasn't lit that part of my path just yet and I'm quietly trusting Him with the few puzzle pieces I do possess. For now I need to focus on the physical. The CFS has flared and it's unwise to attempt to move forward without facing it. 

I hadn't made it to church the last couple of weeks and was determined to get there today. I feel challenged to trust for healing of late. The exhaustion of the last few weeks in particular has left me frustrated with bodily limitations. But God in his goodness saw fit to undo me tonight with the final song. I hate crying in front of everyone but am so very grateful He spoke to my heart. 

source

(Listen to the song here)

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Because He is Lord. Lord of all. 

And perhaps that, right there, is the very first gem to collect as we set off hunting for peculiar treasures again.

A Drop of Sunshine

Why did God create flowers, fluffy clouds and good picnic weather?

Why? Because He loves us.

They are a gift. Simply to be enjoyed.

A lover’s note whispering sweet nothings on a gentle breeze, which is absolutely something to the deepest depth of our soul.

The exuberant bees hanging out in my overgrown pak choy patch? The essence of sunniness.

Perhaps you need some joy today friend. This post is dedicated to you. I’m passing on a hug, a smile, a drop of sunshine.

Wherever you are, whatever you’re going through right now…

He knows.

He sees. 

He loves you.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

^{-Romans 15: 13-}

^{Linking up with: Essential Fridays, Fellowship Fridays}

A Really Sparkly One

Dear Sweet Child of Mine,

Only the good Lord knows how much I have to choose to love you some days. Only He knows the full extent of the guilt I have felt for my (lack of) feelings towards you. Only He knows what really goes on in that head of yours.

And He knows the desires of this heart to appreciate you better, to see the real you, to look beyond Asperger’s and see the beautiful, loving person that you are.

Some days, many days, it is hard. I have wrestled mightily with my heart over you, dear child. Often I have prayed, begged even, for just a glimpse beyond the surface. A precious moment where we can connect, even if it only lasts five minutes. When it comes, it’s a truly sparkly treasure.  

Tonight though, He orchestrated something just beautiful. So very exquisite. My eyes are still leaking.

Pastor was asking for volunteers to pray for folk in the church who struggle with health. I was a little unsure when you accepted his request to pray for me. I never quite know what to expect from your lips. I needn’t have worried.

First, you felt the need to explain to the congregation that your Mama struggles with more than Chronic Fatigue – she has two boys who have their moments too!!! Oh dear child, you do indeed know how to make me laugh! I needed that reminder. So much.

Before we knew it, eyes (not just mine) were welling up as you declared, in your childish faith, that your Mama was a blessing and you thanked God and led the congregation in a sweet, sweet prayer.

My son, you are so, so much more than Asperger’s, and quirks, and a child trying figure out a confusing world. Please forgive me for failing often to see beyond the daily mud we get mired in.

Thank you for letting Him work through you.

So much love,

Mama xx 

What's In A Year?

A lot can happen in a year. A lot has happened. What a year it has been!

365 days since I finally got brave. Decided it was time to act upon that quiet voice getting louder.  Decided it was now or never and hit that ‘publish’ button. Then took a great big breath and watched with anticipation to see what would come of it.

Writing is about sharing my story - especially the everyday ordinary treasures I have encountered along the way. In the hope that somebody out there will be encouraged; that it might just brighten a day.

Reading back through a years worth of posts I see struggles, dreams, sweet moments and realisations. Most of all? I see God at work. At the end of a long day (with an extra dose of long) it did my heart good to be reminded of all this.

Thank you to everybody who ever read a post. I am truly blessed by your comments. Or if you decided not to, that’s okay too. Because this blogging thing? It’s not so much about me. It’s about Him...

So pass the popcorn please while we take a little trip down memory lane…

Here's a few of my favourites:

Sweeping the room with a glance

Asperger’s and other big words

Wings on my back

Learning to dance in the rain

Sometimes squishy men die

REC buttonfaith

Praise from the valley

Mums the word

Tickle me dad

Unfold and refresh yourself

Mah-dom!

Did I miss any? What has your favourite post been?

Ordinary Treasure

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: Ordinary.

(Go)

It was an ordinary day. Out digging in the dirt. Building a garden to cheer the yard up. It soon became obvious that the ground around here is full of glass. Bits and pieces of this and that. Fragments of many colours and thicknesses. We set each piece aside. Initially because we didn’t want a garden full of sharp pieces - and then because we were becoming intrigued by it all.

Wanting to be clear of the grass roots we dug a little deeper. The shards of glass became recognisable bottle necks and bases. Our digging had ceased to be about creating a flower bed. We were hosting our own private ‘Time Team’. By the time we were done we had a few whole bottles, and a couple of other mostly whole pieces to add to the collection.

After a little research we came to learn that our ‘new’ treasures had been somebodies rubbish pit. Somebody in the 1880’s.  

Do you think they would be amused to know that their ordinary is now on display in a cabinet? Would they laugh if they knew it began our vintage bottle collection?

Revelation 21:5 Behold I make all things new

There are treasures to be had in the everyday ordinary. It all depends on the way we choose to view them.

(Stop)

Now, your turn…

Two Little Smiles From My Week

‘It takes both sunshine and rain to make a rainbow’ – I’m sure you have heard that one before. But did you know it takes sunshine and rain to grow roses? I mean, seriously, I did know that. But I was so focused on the individual elements that I couldn't see them working together – in my own front garden.

We had sun, so much sun. The plants we wanted to grow in our garden were really struggling. Only the weeds seemed to thrive. Then we had rain, so much rain. And when that got done drowning everything, all I could see were those thriving weeds.

The sun came out again. It was hot and humid. So I stayed indoors with the fan.

Now it’s raining again. A lot.

We were getting ready to go out. I was almost at the front gate when they waved at me. Two most perfect little rose buds. I looked up at the dark clouds looming overhead and ran inside to grab the scissors. The rain was not going to ruin these. We would enjoy them inside instead.

Apparently my eyes have not been working so well. The more I looked, the more I saw. Initially, I had planned on collecting just two rose buds to enjoy. I came back inside with a handful numbering twenty one!

That friends, right there, is heart medicine. The kind God prescribes.

Here’s another dose…

Six years ago, I sat and bawled my eyes out to the Newsboys singing ‘Blessed Be Your Name’. My (then) four year old looked at me worriedly and told me not to cry. He was too young to understand that Mummy and Daddy so desperately wanted him to have a little sister or brother (ok, we were leaning very heavily on the sister side). It wasn't happening as easily as we had hoped.

I took some pictures a few days ago. Despite the blurriness, they are too good not to share.

Here is my (now) four year old dancing his little heart out to the Newsboys singing ‘Blessed Be Your Name’. 

 He doesn't understand why Mummy has a tear in her eye either.

Got a moment of blessing you'd like to share? Tell us all about it in the comments below.

Liebster Award

Have you heard about the Liebster Award?

I had never heard of until I was nominated this past week. Twice!

It turns out it’s an award bloggers give to one another to help spread word of newer or little known blogs. To get one means the person who gave it to you appreciates the work you do.  So, I especially want to thank Rebekah at We Live Inspired for nominating me.  

What is a Liebster?  The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. (Thank you again to Rebekah for this info).

Each award comes with instructions that vary somewhat. My instructions are as follows:

1. List 5 facts about yourself
2. Answer 5 questions given to you from your nominator
3. Create 5 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award
4. Choose 5 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog

Here goes…

Five random things about me:

1. Hi, my name is Lizzy and I’m an antique-aholic... For years I dreamed of renovating an old house. God has blessed us with just that. We are up to our elbows in it and loving nursing our 130ish year old house back to beautiful. This also has provided a handy excuse to spend all our pocket money on vintage furniture (most of which needs some love too) to go in it.

2. As a child I took Physical Culture (often called Physie) classes. A kind of dance.

3. I finished high-school and subsequently began university at age sixteen. Not because I’m particularly smart, but because my family moved states partway through the school year (grade 3) and I got moved up a grade to keep in line with the number of years I’d been at school.

4. I have a degree in Languages and Applied Linguistics. Which when translated means I spent three years learning to talk, or analyse it, or something. Seriously though, I majored in Spanish and Linguistics with Italian as my elective.

5. I asked my hubby what else I should add… He wants you to know that he’s tall, dark, and handsome. Oh and that we have five dining tables. Don’t worry they’re spread around the house; one in the dining room, one in the rumpus room, one in the guestroom kitchenette, and two in my craft/sewing room.

Now to answer the five questions:

1. Why did you start your blog and what is the meaning behind your blog name?

 I have wanted to write ever since I was a child. At the tender age of ten or eleven I decided I was going to write a novel and set out to do just that. I think I got about three or four A4 pages in before the novelty wore off. I was still pretty impressed with myself. That was a lot of writing for a kid. The dream has always been there tucked away just waiting for something to write about. The last couple of years have seen me writing a few short stories for my own children.

Last year though the urge was getting stronger again and God was stirring some dreams in my heart. The name ‘Peculiar Treasure’ had been rattling around my head for a few months. Eventually I decided it was time to follow the prompting. Peculiar Treasure is both the way God sees us as well as a description for the things I like to write about; moments with meaning that are treasures because of what they can teach us -  and because we choose to see them that way.

2. Besides blogging, what do you like to do for fun?

 I love to read - books make great company. I love to create. I design and hand sew teddy bears. I finally learnt to use a sewing machine a couple of years ago so I’ve been experimenting with a few other designs as well. I also love to garden and cook desserts.

3. Name an annoying little habit about yourself or something sort of odd that you do.

 I cut my own hair; saves a heap instead of going to the hairdresser every month. But then I’m always running my fingers through making sure it’s even. 

4. If you had to eat the same food for dinner every night , what would it be?

 Roast lamb and veggies (pototo, pumpkin, carrot, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, onion, garlic) with homemade gravy. Yummmmmm…(getting hungry just thinking about it).

5. What is your favorite animal and why?

 Guinea pigs. They’re on the smaller side of life (did I mention I love miniatures), they’re cute and cuddly, you can interact with them. They have personality. They don’t take up too much space.

5 new questions:

What or who is your greatest inspiration for blogging?

What is your earliest memory?

Do you collect anything? If so, what?

What do you like most about yourself?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

And the nominees are:

Sarah at Something to Say

Stephanie at Walking Through the Valley

Teresa at What Works For Me

Elizabeth at Dog Fur and Dandelions

Tina at Through Rosey's Glasses

Take a moment to read what they have to say. I certainly enjoy following their journeys. 

PS - The other Liebster award I was nominated for is a category about my special needs son…I’ll answer those questions for you soon!

Table Therapy (part 2)

Today’s post is a continuation from last week. If you haven’t caught up with part 1 you can do so here before continuing...

Table Therapy – part 2

The following day I busied myself with the wood putty. There is something glorious about mixing and squishing that stuff in your hands, slowly but surely making a new colour from two. Perhaps it has something to do with old childhood memories of play dough or is the reason pigs revel in mud? Whatever the reason, I gently pushed the putty into the larger cracks with the aid of a small spatula, smoothing the lumps over with my fingers. Standing back to admire my handiwork the stirring movement transposed into a soft hum.

With anticipation I watched as my husband fastened the support beams he had fashioned earlier that day; loathe to add something so unoriginal to a vintage item but knowing we had little choice. The time to reattach the table top had finally come. My task was to hold the planks down as firmly as my strength would allow while he crawled underneath with a drill and screwdriver. The table was soon whole again. 

All along I had been conscious of a developing refrain but experienced the magnitude of its power while working my way around the table top, encouraging the beeswax polish into the grain. The table had beauty despite how dry and parched the wood had been from so many years of neglect. Now it absolutely sang as the fibres drank up the moisture - a rich soulful harmony from deep within the heart, starting out gently and increasing in intensity. I revelled in the silent symphony. 

Somewhere in that profoundly healing moment the realization came that I was experiencing soul therapy. Pausing, rag in hand, I pondered the table’s song. A chord resonated deep within me.

My soul had been dry and my paint was chipped. Cracks had appeared. Life’s dings and bangs and bruises covered me. Broken, I had foolishly believed that nothing valuable was left to offer. And yet…there was.

‘A bruised reed he will not break and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out’ (Isaiah 42:3).

Though my very being desperately desired to hide these imperfections from the world, the graceful old table boldly proclaimed that evidence of such things is what gives rise to character…

Lost in my reverie, little attention had been paid to the polish in my hand. Dabbing the rag in to get some more I happened to glance into the tin. At the bottom where the polish was gone a heart shape emerged in the wax.  

‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5:8)

Never believing for a moment this was mere coincidence, a smile spread across my lips as my soul joined in the chorus…

The table is finished now. Is it perfect? No. Does it still bear the scars of its life? Yes. Is there evidence of where we have fixed it? Absolutely! But it is well loved all the same; a table with a story to tell. God has used this table to remind me that ‘he has made all things beautiful in his time’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  If only we will allow him to.

So often I get frustrated with my inabilities, my perceived areas of failure, and my stumblings. My chipped paint and cracks leave me feeling weak. But then God speaks. He says, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

A Breath of Christmas

Two more sleeps until Christmas. I could use another week!

It seems we’ve been doing a lot of surviving lately. Putting one foot in front of the other until the end of the school year finally arrived.

In the week since (yes, just a week - though it feels like two), we have already made a quick dash to visit the in-laws a few hours away.  Since returning the air-conditioning at the shops has been far more inviting than the sticky heat at home.

Gifts are all purchased now, but certainly not wrapped.

We’ve been madly cleaning and I’m happy to report that the rumpus room does still exist. Which is just as well, my family is hoping to celebrate together in there.

Last night the first of the decorations were hung. Umm, better late than never? 

I’m beginning to breathe again. I’ve decided that bedroom doors exist for a reason. The joy of the season is not worth trading for a perfect abode.

So here’s to happy memories made with family, quiet moments with meaning, and plenty of peculiar treasures.

Happy Christmas everyone! May peace and joy abound in your hearts as we celebrate our Saviour’s birth!

PS: I’ll be taking a blogging break for a week or two. Once the parties have quieted down - the renovating begins! I’ll do my best to pop in somewhere between the restoring and building. Please forgive if I have paint on my nose. 

Peculiar Rethink

This morning was slow. My body struggled to get into gear. On such days staying home is often best. After checking the kids were semi decently dressed I waved them goodbye as they headed off to Church with Daddy.

In the quiet moments that ensued I had a peculiar time… (Ahem)… Or rather, did a mini study on the word ‘peculiar’.

You see I thought I knew what it meant. Strange or unique right?

Well yes it does, but I had never looked up a commentary or Bible dictionary on the matter. I was curious. So I hauled them out along with Strong’s concordance. Then realising it had been a while, I changed to the computer version (much easier!). Exodus 19:5 was the verse of choice. KJV to get the phrase I was after - peculiar treasure.

Here’s what I found

Strong’s definition:

H5459

סגלּה

s^egûllâh

seg-ool-law'

Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely shut up): - jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.

The being shut up part stood out to me here. Clearly very highly valued.

The commentaries gave me something to think about too.

Exo 19:5  Then ye shall be a peculiar treasure to me - He doth not instance in any one particular favour, but expresseth it in that which was inclusive of all happiness, that he would be to them a God in covenant, and they should be to him a people. Nay you shall be a peculiar treasure: not that God was enriched by them, as a man is by his treasure, but he was pleased to value and esteem them as a man doth his treasure; they were precious in his sight. He took them under his special care and protection, as a treasure that is kept under lock and key. He distinguished them from, and dignified them above all people, as a people devoted to him, and to his service. (Wesley)

And…

Exo 19:5 

if ye will obey

(Cf) (1Pe_2:9); (Rev_1:6); (Rev_5:10). What, under law, was condition, is under grace, freely given to every believer. The "if" of (Exo_19:5) is the essence of law as a method of divine dealing, and the fundamental reason why "the law made nothing perfect"; (Rom_8:3); (Heb_7:18); (Heb_7:19).

The Abrahamic: (See Scofield) - (Gen_15:18) and New (See Scofield) - (Heb_8:8) covenants minister salvation and assurance because they impose but one condition, faith. (Scofield)

So there you have it. If we are God’s peculiar treasure we are highly valued - like a precious jewel. Not because we deserve to be, but because He chooses to see us this way.

We are also set apart. For Him.

^{1 Peter 2:9} But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV)

Now that is something to smile about!

PS – As you can see all this has contributed to a new look for the blog. I am seeking to get to the heart of what it all means to me. My sincerest apologies if the page has been different every time you've visited here lately. I’m pretty sure I’m happy with it this time (but we’ll see) ;o)

An Introduction

I love treasure hunting. Who doesn’t? The definition of ‘treasure’ is different for all of us. Some people love old things. Others prefer new. It can be made from anything in any number of ways; jewellery, gemstones, furniture, shoes, food, woodworking, quilting, houses, music, fine china, glass, flowers, great works of art and even humble postage stamps. The list is endless. 

Personally I love a variety of things but those that catch my eye are often just that little bit different, quirky even. Peculiar you might say.

God is into peculiar treasure too. I was delighted to discover this when reading Exodus 19:5.

 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (KJV)

I am captivated by the phrase the King James Version uses – peculiar treasure. My mind conjures up images of beautiful but oddly shaped gemstones. Each one all the more precious because of its uniqueness. There is comfort in that.

This blog will be some of my collection of ‘treasures’ that I have encountered along life’s journey - little lessons and moments with meaning that God has used to speak to my heart. As we are called to be encouragers, I’d like to share them with you. My prayer is that not only will you find encouragement but that you will also be inspired to share your peculiar treasure with the world too.