Free

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Be free, she who haunts my thoughts.

Be free.

She who stifles my joy.

Be free.

She who would tread me down.

Be free.

I cannot free you from his mind,

But He can free mine from you.

Be free.

I’m on the winning side.

Be free.

Oh don’t you see?

Darkness will not triumph.

Be free.

For ears to hear and eyes that truly see.

Be free.

Embrace His light and be.

Be free.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Just Keep Writing

"Just keep writing," she said.

At a time when I doubted my ability. Wondered if anybody actually read what I had to say. If it ever encouraged anyone. If it really mattered.

On occasion I find myself circling that crazy place. Teetering on the edge of giving in.

Then I am reminded; there is a bigger picture. Perhaps today I am called to share my heart for just one other. Past comments have confirmed this. I am humbled. Sometimes I wonder if that soul might maybe possibly, that day, be me.

Just keep writing.

For the audience of One who called me to it in the first place...

 

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“Just keep writing,” she said. So unaware.

And that was all the encouragement I needed.

1 Thessalonians 5:11  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. (ESV)

How to Have A Merry Little Christmas

1. Finish up the school year frazzled and well and truly ready for it all to Just. Go. Away.

2. Spend the next week getting woefully behind on your to-do list whilst procrastinating every day and generally just relaxing because, well, you desperately need to.

3. The weekend before the big day decide you had really better get organised. Go shopping to grab last few things. Don’t end up getting all of them because car decides to break down.

4. Once you finally make it home, spend the afternoon getting very sticky making Christmas treats with the kids while hubby stays with the car and organises a tow truck.

5. You really, really need to clear out the rumpus for the renovating. So spend the next day washing like a mad woman to clear that pile (hint: this requires 5 loads). In between, sort and fold like your life depends on it. The Mt Foldmore range will miraculously diminish before your very eyes. Also, take note how cute the five year old is helping carry pile after pile of clean towels to the linen cupboard.

6. Flop into bed at the end of the day satisfied but utterly worn out.

7. Wake the next day not sure that you feel one hundred percent. Soon realise it’s because you seem to have gained a UTI overnight.

8. Try to carry on as normal because after all, this is Christmas Eve now and there is much still to do. Like decorating and rediscovering the lounge room floor. Do not even look in the kitchen.

9. Do not panic either - just imagine your perfect children helping clear it all away in a matter of minutes.

10. Get a stronger grip on reality.

11. Come to the understanding that your pounding headache might need some attention. Take your temperature and realise it is slightly higher than is considered normal.

12. Ask online friends for prayer. Thank God for such amazing women.

13. Take next round of medication. Put yourself to bed and rest. Thank God for hubby willing to take children out for a while to make this possible.

14. Scan the scene and concede it is just not gonna happen how you had planned.

15. Have brilliant idea. Glean ideas from favourite magazine. Release the stress.

16. Feed and bathe children. Put them to bed. Relax with husband and a movie.

17. Go to bed.

18. Wake up Christmas morning. Have a lazy breakfast with family. Put roast on. Put dishes on.

19. Choose to ignore horrid mess of a house. Gather simple yet beautiful things, from around your home, that you love. Take these outside to gazebo hubby and kids are putting up in the back yard.

20. Lose yourself in a moment of creativity as you arrange them wistfully.

21. Invite the family to join you. Acknowledge that really this is all you need. 

22. And have yourself a Merry little Christmas!

Wishing you

Hope in our Saviour

Peace in your heart

and Joy in the little things

Happy Christmas!

Four and a Half Years

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: Reflect.

 

(Go)

Four and a half years ago a tired Mama dropped her second grader at school for the day. Babe in arms she decided to stay for the school assembly. She was trying to find her way in a new community. A place she now called home but barely knew.

It had been a rushed morning and breakfast had been little more than a mouthful; just to put something in her stomach and keep it quiet until she returned home. In the hurry and fluster she had quite forgotten the new playgroup starting up that day. Until the kind teacher asked if she was planning to stay. Her first thought was breakfast and that maybe next week would be better. But something inside made her stay…

Today, at home time, three of those babes linked arms and smiled for their last ever photograph at playgroup. The final three to graduate from the original group.

Thank you for the memories boys. The smiling faces each week. We have watched you grow from chuck cloths, wipes, and bottles. We have steadied your first wobbly steps and together you’ve learned to play and share. Because of you we got to spend some ‘mummy time’ and find ourselves in others.

This season has come to a close. It is time to move on. As I look back, I cannot help but be grateful.

(Stop)

Now, your turn…

On Eating An Elephant

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: Grace.

(Go)

The piles pile up.

The mess gathers round.

I am tired – at the most inconvenient of times.

The pinching nerves in my shoulders keep a steady stream of ache in my arms.

I feel like I have been served more than I can chew some days.

And yet…

This is all part of His plan.

He has allowed these things.

He has blessed me with these things.

I do not mean to complain.

I want to enjoy what I have.

To live.

Fully alive.

My kind of adventure is probably not the same as yours.

Neither are my victories.

Life has taught me to celebrate the little things;

To see, and to seek, the beauty in each day.

And as I learn to love myself and others where we are at-

To extend grace to each moment.

I am grasping just how

To eat an elephant,

One small bite at a time.

(Stop)

Now, your turn…