But he said to me, "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.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (The Message)
I guess so.
But I need to understand this better practically.
How? Help!
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Change happens
Sometimes I really don’t like getting the bus to work. Especially when it drives away just as you get to the bus stop…very annoying! Or when there are very noisy people travelling with you and you just want a bit of piece and quiet.
But sometimes I do enjoy the daily journey, watching the world go by out of the window. It’s a time when God often speaks to me, or whispers something that resonates with my heart. Something to comfort me, or to encourage me, or to assure me that things are ok.
As I sat on the bus home the other day I noticed that a whole row of trees were full of new green leaves. The last time I noticed these trees they were bare. I didn’t remember seeing any buds or the start of any leaf growth. I only noticed them once they had almost fully changed.
I realised that this has happened to me, in my life too. Sometimes it’s only after we have changed quite a bit that we look back and remember how we were. Then we can see the difference.
We often don’t notice the changes as they happen, the process is sometimes small and gradual. But after some time, the changes become more noticeable and there is an obvious difference. We are not the person we were.
Change is natural and often necessary. The trees change due to the seasons and they need to change to stay alive, to reproduce, to be fruitful. They cannot stay in one state and survive the different elements the seasons bring throughout the year.
But the trees are created to change with the seasons. They do it naturally. They do not decide to change, but they also cannot choose not to change.
As humans we have the power to choose to change. But we also have the power to choose not to change. Sometimes it can seem of little consequence, but it is a great potential that God has placed in us. It is the potential to grow, be better, to love more.
Over the last few years my life has changed a lot and as I look back I can see that I have changed too. I have left university and started full time employment, gone from being a singleton to a girlfriend to a fiancée to a wife, relocated twice, changed jobs twice and many other things along the way.
Whilst all of these things have been great, they have also been stressful, and they have all had an impact on my life. As I look back over the past few years I am happy that these things have had an impact on me, I am happy that I have changed. They have helped me to know myself, know my heart and know God’s heart for me.
I hope that I will continue to change and be open to change in the future. To learn to adapt to the different elements in my life. It’s how I’ll learn to survive and be fruitful with the seasons.
But sometimes I do enjoy the daily journey, watching the world go by out of the window. It’s a time when God often speaks to me, or whispers something that resonates with my heart. Something to comfort me, or to encourage me, or to assure me that things are ok.
As I sat on the bus home the other day I noticed that a whole row of trees were full of new green leaves. The last time I noticed these trees they were bare. I didn’t remember seeing any buds or the start of any leaf growth. I only noticed them once they had almost fully changed.
I realised that this has happened to me, in my life too. Sometimes it’s only after we have changed quite a bit that we look back and remember how we were. Then we can see the difference.
We often don’t notice the changes as they happen, the process is sometimes small and gradual. But after some time, the changes become more noticeable and there is an obvious difference. We are not the person we were.
Change is natural and often necessary. The trees change due to the seasons and they need to change to stay alive, to reproduce, to be fruitful. They cannot stay in one state and survive the different elements the seasons bring throughout the year.
But the trees are created to change with the seasons. They do it naturally. They do not decide to change, but they also cannot choose not to change.
As humans we have the power to choose to change. But we also have the power to choose not to change. Sometimes it can seem of little consequence, but it is a great potential that God has placed in us. It is the potential to grow, be better, to love more.
Over the last few years my life has changed a lot and as I look back I can see that I have changed too. I have left university and started full time employment, gone from being a singleton to a girlfriend to a fiancée to a wife, relocated twice, changed jobs twice and many other things along the way.
Whilst all of these things have been great, they have also been stressful, and they have all had an impact on my life. As I look back over the past few years I am happy that these things have had an impact on me, I am happy that I have changed. They have helped me to know myself, know my heart and know God’s heart for me.
I hope that I will continue to change and be open to change in the future. To learn to adapt to the different elements in my life. It’s how I’ll learn to survive and be fruitful with the seasons.
Sunday, 26 April 2009
The Little White Island
Last weekend we were fortunate and had lovely weather, a rare occurance for our location at this time of year. We tried to make the most of it and headed out to the seaside for a few hours.
I love being near the sea. It's just so refreshing!
Anyhow, whilst I was looking around at the scenery I noticed that Bass Rock, a small island just of the coast, was looking very white. At first I thought it must be covered with white flowers or blossom, but upon closer inspection, I noticed that the white was actually from the birds that were landing on it. And there were so many birds that the island literally turns white!
Why they choose to land on this island and not the other ones nearby I have no idea. But I thought it was pretty cool!
If you look closely you can see them flying around the island.
I love being near the sea. It's just so refreshing!
Anyhow, whilst I was looking around at the scenery I noticed that Bass Rock, a small island just of the coast, was looking very white. At first I thought it must be covered with white flowers or blossom, but upon closer inspection, I noticed that the white was actually from the birds that were landing on it. And there were so many birds that the island literally turns white!
Why they choose to land on this island and not the other ones nearby I have no idea. But I thought it was pretty cool!
If you look closely you can see them flying around the island.
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Friday, 24 April 2009
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Another sunny day...another garden!
The weekend was lovely and sunny so I headed out with my husband and while he did some important work, I took pictures of some interesting things in the garden.
My favourite photo from the day...
Closed...
Open...
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Ugh...!
It was bright and vibrant yet soft to the touch. Kinda the way you want it. Looking like it’s gonna taste nice, real nice. Juicy and fruity and good. So I started to tear away the peel and divide the flesh into its neatly packaged segments.
Only once the peel had been shed, the inside didn’t look too good. All dimply and shrivelled. And it tasted even worse! Yuck! And the taste lingered in my mouth tainting everything else that passed my lips. Ugh!
That’s the problem with Satsumas and their fruity relatives. You can’t always tell what they’re going to taste like by looking at the outside, at the peel.
Sometimes you can. Sometimes the inside is so bad that it shows on the outside. But sometimes you can’t. Sometimes the outside is made to look nice, while the inside is allowed to rot and decay.
When we focus on taking care of our outside, of our surface appearance, we can forget about what’s going on inside.
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
1 Peter 3:3-4
But what matter’s to God, and what will last for eternity, is our inner self. Our soul, our spirit.
If you’ve ever seen an episode of America’s Next Top Model, you’ll know how fleeting, temporary and false a beautiful outside can be. Just wait until one of those stunners is angry, upset or feeling moody about something, and the ugliness that comes out of their mouth instantly covers any beauty they have on the outside.
Their outbursts and the way they interact with their fellow models is a much bigger vision of their beauty then their photographs will ever be. Why? Because it shows their spirit, it shows their heart.
True beauty does not come from a bottle. Or a jar / spray / needle / surgeon’s knife.
It is not a single image or idea that we are to strive for. It is not judgemental or critical, and it is not based solely on the physical.
True beauty comes from within. And it grows.
It wraps itself around any form and delights in it just the way it is. It brings joy and life and encouragement. It is positive and balanced and seeks to serve others before itself. It is kindness and compassion. It is eternal.
This is something I feel quite passionate about…the distortion of what it means to be beautiful and how that affects our feelings of value and worth. It’s something I hope one day to help to change, to restore it and bring back God’s true vision of beauty.
If you feel the same check out
http://www.truecampaign.org/
Only once the peel had been shed, the inside didn’t look too good. All dimply and shrivelled. And it tasted even worse! Yuck! And the taste lingered in my mouth tainting everything else that passed my lips. Ugh!
That’s the problem with Satsumas and their fruity relatives. You can’t always tell what they’re going to taste like by looking at the outside, at the peel.
Sometimes you can. Sometimes the inside is so bad that it shows on the outside. But sometimes you can’t. Sometimes the outside is made to look nice, while the inside is allowed to rot and decay.
When we focus on taking care of our outside, of our surface appearance, we can forget about what’s going on inside.
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.
1 Peter 3:3-4
But what matter’s to God, and what will last for eternity, is our inner self. Our soul, our spirit.
If you’ve ever seen an episode of America’s Next Top Model, you’ll know how fleeting, temporary and false a beautiful outside can be. Just wait until one of those stunners is angry, upset or feeling moody about something, and the ugliness that comes out of their mouth instantly covers any beauty they have on the outside.
Their outbursts and the way they interact with their fellow models is a much bigger vision of their beauty then their photographs will ever be. Why? Because it shows their spirit, it shows their heart.
True beauty does not come from a bottle. Or a jar / spray / needle / surgeon’s knife.
It is not a single image or idea that we are to strive for. It is not judgemental or critical, and it is not based solely on the physical.
True beauty comes from within. And it grows.
It wraps itself around any form and delights in it just the way it is. It brings joy and life and encouragement. It is positive and balanced and seeks to serve others before itself. It is kindness and compassion. It is eternal.
This is something I feel quite passionate about…the distortion of what it means to be beautiful and how that affects our feelings of value and worth. It’s something I hope one day to help to change, to restore it and bring back God’s true vision of beauty.
If you feel the same check out
http://www.truecampaign.org/
The Shack
I'm reading this book as recommended by many of my family, and I have to say it's great.
I couldn't possibly begin to summarise it or do it any justice with my words...other than to say...go buy it...or borrow it.
There are so many great and challenging words in it that have caused me to stop and reassess the way I think and feel about things. I'm sure that I will expand on some of these thoughts here over the next few days and weeks.
I couldn't possibly begin to summarise it or do it any justice with my words...other than to say...go buy it...or borrow it.
There are so many great and challenging words in it that have caused me to stop and reassess the way I think and feel about things. I'm sure that I will expand on some of these thoughts here over the next few days and weeks.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Plans
I had a good weekend enjoying the sunshine and relaxing (lots of pictures to post soon). However my body has gone into a bit of a melt down and I am currently fighting various germs and nasties...not nice...at all!
So, my plans for this evening are simple...
1. Ironing - I have put this off for several days now so even if I just do a little bit it will be better than nothing!
2. Editing photos - so much to show you!
3. Eat - I'm eagerly looking forward to lamb stew, loving prepared by my personal chef!
4. Sleep - I need to do lots of this. Lots and lots and lots and lots...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
So, my plans for this evening are simple...
1. Ironing - I have put this off for several days now so even if I just do a little bit it will be better than nothing!
2. Editing photos - so much to show you!
3. Eat - I'm eagerly looking forward to lamb stew, loving prepared by my personal chef!
4. Sleep - I need to do lots of this. Lots and lots and lots and lots...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Really?!
Some things that are as real as real can be about me right now...
1. Running is still very hard. Last night's training session was rubbish. I got stitch and I just wanted to cry! Starting to wonder why on earth I agreed to be a part of this!
2. My hair is bothering me and I can't decide what to do about it. Leave it? Cut it? And I'll probably do nothing about it which is potentially more depressing than having the hair issues in the first place. Why is it we are always frustrated with what we have and want something different?!
3. Work is seriously boring me right now.
4. The sunshine is starting to break through the fog and that cheers me up immensely.
5. House group was good last night. God was there and you could feel it!
6. Should I really be doing this blog or is it just another distraction from things that I should be doing or that are more important?
7. I feel like I have too much to do and not enough time to do it all (which is why I'm sitting here blogging and not doing any of it. See number 6!)
8. I want to take lots and lots and lots of pictures this weekend. And I want to have the time to edit them and post them and write nice things about them.
9. I really like the freesia I bought on Tuesday (should really take a photo to show but keep forgetting!)
10. I don't really know where I'm going with things at the moment. But I have lots of exciting ideas about where I could go...
11. I'm starting to think I'm probably getting a bit boring now.....so, I think I'll have a break from blogging and return next week with more interesting things to look at from an adventurous weekend!
1. Running is still very hard. Last night's training session was rubbish. I got stitch and I just wanted to cry! Starting to wonder why on earth I agreed to be a part of this!
2. My hair is bothering me and I can't decide what to do about it. Leave it? Cut it? And I'll probably do nothing about it which is potentially more depressing than having the hair issues in the first place. Why is it we are always frustrated with what we have and want something different?!
3. Work is seriously boring me right now.
4. The sunshine is starting to break through the fog and that cheers me up immensely.
5. House group was good last night. God was there and you could feel it!
6. Should I really be doing this blog or is it just another distraction from things that I should be doing or that are more important?
7. I feel like I have too much to do and not enough time to do it all (which is why I'm sitting here blogging and not doing any of it. See number 6!)
8. I want to take lots and lots and lots of pictures this weekend. And I want to have the time to edit them and post them and write nice things about them.
9. I really like the freesia I bought on Tuesday (should really take a photo to show but keep forgetting!)
10. I don't really know where I'm going with things at the moment. But I have lots of exciting ideas about where I could go...
11. I'm starting to think I'm probably getting a bit boring now.....so, I think I'll have a break from blogging and return next week with more interesting things to look at from an adventurous weekend!
Holding Things with Open Hands
This is Eric and his family. They live in southwest Uganda, right next to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eric supports his family by farming his land and selling what he can. He is also the local pastor and looks after his ‘flock’, all those that live around him.
Eric travels many miles, often on foot, to the Community Hospital at Bwindi. He often brings other people and children with him that need medical care, and he often stays with them until he knows they are well.
Most of the children in the picture are not Eric’s biological children. But children he has opened his home and his heart to, children he has adopted into his family so that he can care for them. Sometimes these children have families of their own but they cannot care for them or feed them so Eric takes them in.
Eric has an amazing testimony of how God has transformed his life and given him a new start, and now Eric looks for opportunities to allow God’s transforming power to work in others.
When we met Eric he gave us a large pumpkin. I was excited as I’d never had pumpkin before, and when Eric found out he went away and came back with a second one! I was amazed by his heart to give and to share, knowing that these were from his own garden and could have fed so many of the children around us.
Eric has so little compared to what we might think we need to survive. But what he has he holds with open hands. Knowing that everything is given from God and is to be used for God. Hands open, ready to give to whoever might need it, ready to support, care for and bless those who are around him.
I pray that I may learn to hold the things I have with open hands. Not hoping for some kind of return or special favour. Not holding on and possessing. But hands open, directing towards others, ready to care, ready to support, ready to bless. Knowing that everything we have is from God and is to be used for God.
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Why?
So, I wasn’t sure if I should have written this post when I started blogging, but I didn’t, I just started. And now I’m not sure if I need to write it at all, if anyone is really bothered, if anyone even reads the things I write here!
But because I want to, and because I can if I want to, I’m going to write it now…and explain a little about why I blog.
There are many reasons why I thought having a blog would be a good idea…so in no particular order here are some of my thoughts…
1. I like to think and I like to write. Having a blog gives me the space to write down my thoughts, and my thoughts about my thoughts. To explore the things going on in my head. That’s how I learn and understand. And documenting it helps me to see my journey, my progress, my growth.
2. I like to dream and to hope. A blog provides an outlet for my hopes and dreams to become more, to take form and to grow.
3. I like to be inspired. By words, pictures, people, places…all sorts of things can ignite a spark in me. This blog offers a space to record those things that catch my eye, my ear and my heart. Those things that pull on something inside and inspire me to grow, change, step out of my comfort zone, be creative and experience life. And maybe I can inspire someone else too.
4. I like to be creative. I just can’t help it. Whether with art or words or other little things, I like to create, to experiment, to try. I enjoy the creativeness of an amazing God and I enjoy the creative heart he has placed in me. I love photography although I’m only a complete beginner. This blog allows me to share my endeavours and plot my experiments and progress as I get out and about with my camera. I enjoy sewing and making things and hopefully I’ll be able to share some of that on here too. (I also like dancing but my dancing creations only make an appearance at very, very special occasions!)
5. I like to share. I don’t know what it is about me, but when I see something that touches me, challenges me or something I enjoy, I can’t shut up about it! Ask my husband…he knows how much I can talk about things! I just like to share things, even the things that go on in my head! So this is also a space where I can share. I only write about the things above because I want to share them…my thoughts, my dreams, my hopes, my inspirations, my creations…shared with you.
So, there you have it…some of the reasons why I blog.
But because I want to, and because I can if I want to, I’m going to write it now…and explain a little about why I blog.
There are many reasons why I thought having a blog would be a good idea…so in no particular order here are some of my thoughts…
1. I like to think and I like to write. Having a blog gives me the space to write down my thoughts, and my thoughts about my thoughts. To explore the things going on in my head. That’s how I learn and understand. And documenting it helps me to see my journey, my progress, my growth.
2. I like to dream and to hope. A blog provides an outlet for my hopes and dreams to become more, to take form and to grow.
3. I like to be inspired. By words, pictures, people, places…all sorts of things can ignite a spark in me. This blog offers a space to record those things that catch my eye, my ear and my heart. Those things that pull on something inside and inspire me to grow, change, step out of my comfort zone, be creative and experience life. And maybe I can inspire someone else too.
4. I like to be creative. I just can’t help it. Whether with art or words or other little things, I like to create, to experiment, to try. I enjoy the creativeness of an amazing God and I enjoy the creative heart he has placed in me. I love photography although I’m only a complete beginner. This blog allows me to share my endeavours and plot my experiments and progress as I get out and about with my camera. I enjoy sewing and making things and hopefully I’ll be able to share some of that on here too. (I also like dancing but my dancing creations only make an appearance at very, very special occasions!)
5. I like to share. I don’t know what it is about me, but when I see something that touches me, challenges me or something I enjoy, I can’t shut up about it! Ask my husband…he knows how much I can talk about things! I just like to share things, even the things that go on in my head! So this is also a space where I can share. I only write about the things above because I want to share them…my thoughts, my dreams, my hopes, my inspirations, my creations…shared with you.
So, there you have it…some of the reasons why I blog.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Embracing the Season
Recently I have been thinking a lot about time, God’s time…or rather God’s timing.
In our humanness we are bound to think about time in seconds, minutes, hours, days. We think about yesterday, today and tomorrow. We live by day and night. But God doesn’t.
God created time for us, but he is not limited by it like we are. He does not think in terms of days and weeks, but rather moments and seasons.
One thing I have noticed is that as women we tend to endure the season we are in, rather than enjoying it. When we are single, we want to be married. When we are studying, we want to be working. When we are married, we miss our independence or we long to become mothers. We are always looking to the next thing, maybe the things those around us have, the things we think will make us more complete.
I know that I sometimes struggle to be truly satisfied with the season I am in right now. I often think to the future and long for the things in my heart to be available now. I know that I question why God sometimes makes me wait; I wonder what I am meant to be learning or what changes I need to make.
For us to grow strong, we must sometimes grow slowly. And sometimes the learning is in the waiting and the process, not in the gaining and having.
As the Easter weekend has passed, I have thought more about why God chooses to do things when He does and how He chooses to do them. I don’t always understand how His timing works, but I believe that His timing is the best.
I still long for things in my future, I still wonder when it will be my time to live out the things in my heart. But in the meantime I don’t want to live a life where I endure each day. I want to enjoy every day, every hour, every minute and second.
And so for that reason I am choosing to enjoy the moments and embrace my current season.
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Berry Nice
Why is it that conversations with some people can leave you feeling not very nice?!
So, to make me feel better here is something that is nice, very nice, very berry nice!
Taken on my visit to Elie last Wednesday.
So, to make me feel better here is something that is nice, very nice, very berry nice!
Taken on my visit to Elie last Wednesday.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Patchwork Windows
Beauty is not a singular thing.
It is a collection of things...moments, experiences, understandings...each making the other more beautiful.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Check out the cuteness...
I had a lovely day on Wednesday here...
With these two cheeky chaps...
There are many more photos from Wednesday to share...but not just yet!
I'm about to head into a crazy weekend of family celebrations and catch ups! Hopefully there'll be even more photos to share when I get back!
With these two cheeky chaps...
There are many more photos from Wednesday to share...but not just yet!
I'm about to head into a crazy weekend of family celebrations and catch ups! Hopefully there'll be even more photos to share when I get back!
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