... Living inspired by the beauty of life, one post at a time.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Through the eyes of a child

What a privilege it is to teach young minds. Grade One students are so very sweet. They see things simply and in uncomplicated ways. For instance, this week I was talking with my students about stranger danger and what to do if they got lost at the shops. I asked the class "Where should you go for help if you got lost at the shops?" ... I had a few thoughtful responses and then one little girl put her hand up and confidently responded by saying "Go straight to heaven". Aahhh, love the simplicity of her thinking. 


How unpretentious, to be able to go straight to God when you need help. I imagine this little six year old could see herself doing just that, opening the door of heaven and going straight into the throne room. How often do we get lost along the path of life and attempt to find our own way instead of going straight to God? Sometimes we complicate life and rationalise, analyse and synthesise what should really be very straight forward. How often do we limit the access we actually have straight to heaven when we allow our concerns to overshadow that direct access? Thanks to a First Grader, I am reminded about how simple it really should be and am grateful for the opportunity to once again see things through the eyes of a child.







Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Colour Conference 2012


This years conference exceeded my expectations!! ... we heard  from the lovely Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer, both women who are humble in spirit and who possess the exceptional ability to unpack the word of God in a contemporary and relevant way. This years theme centered around the thought ... 'A Revolution of Peace, Light and Love'. It made me think about how I can be these things in my own life and particularly in my sphere of influence, especially at home.


I love how the focus of this global movement of women across the earth is both local and global ... we get to see the big picture at home and on the global stage. As we look at what is in our hand (with our time, talents and treasure) we  can extend the hand of kindness to others wherever we go. We can use these things to bring change into our own world ... whether that is in the global arena or in our very own corner of the earth - our home! I am currently contemplating which cause I will devote my time and energy into supporting and have presented a few ideas to my work colleagues who are keen to join me in raising money for one of the amazing Sisterhood endeavours through the 'Five Hundred' project. (Check it out here)


On the home front however, I am endeavouring to bring a revolution of Peace, Light and Love to the people who live with me - my beautiful children. Being a single mother has obvious pit falls, all of which are covered by the never ending mercy, grace and love of a loving Heavenly Father, however despite my best efforts and good intentions I find myself walking an unexpected path with one of my children as they journey towards finding perfect health and wholeness. As a Mother there is nothing more painful than watching your child experience their own hurt, pain or loss. Not being able to alleviate the pain with a kiss and a bandaid is even more frustrating. The path I now find myself on is very overgrown and scattered with much rubbish and debris. The way through is not clear and obstacles seem insurmountable. It is a lonely journey, yet more than ever I am aware of the deep need to commit to unceasing prayer for my darling ... and as I do so, I commit to bringing a revolution of Peace, Light and Love into their world. 



The Colour Sisterhood is about .... 






PLACING VALUE UPON WOMANHOOD

so that we can arise from a place of strength and place value upon humanity...

It is A DECLARATION

About value and identity, purpose and mission.

A DECLARATION



that is intentional in reach and embrace. It transcends culture and creed, age and status, prejudice and preference...

A DECLARATION

that positions itself amid awareness and responsibility

CONCERN AND CARE,

injustice and solution.
A declaration ultimately concerned with the welfare...

OF THE WORLD

and her inhabitants. It has courageously woven its way through time and history.

It is ... ONE LOVE

there is no greater love, than when one lays down their life for another.

ONE HEART

keenly involved and committed.

ONE SISTERHOOD

empathy that one woman (or company of women) feel for another; to identify and feel loyalty towards.

visit the Colour Sisterhood here

Friday, March 2, 2012

The Joyous Ache

This is my first 'five minute Friday' for 2012 ... yep, it has been awhile. But here goes - today's theme is .... ACHE.


Motherhood is a churning joyous ache! As a mother there always seems to be an ache inside your soul ... a bittersweet mingling of pleasure and pain. It is an almost tangible presence. The ache is hard to ignore. 

This aching of our Mother's heart can rear it's head at the most inopportune of times (like crying at a heart wrenching t.v add or a baby photo that slips out from a book). It is sometimes a whisper of years gone by and at other times it is screamingly loud ... almost like a steam train hurtling down the tracks, reminding us of a deep loss or a hidden grief. It can take us by surprise and leave us open mouthed!! That first scrape our baby feels can seem overwhelming with the depth of the ache we feel ... it can shake us to the core. 

We wash away the tears from our child's face and feel the pain deeply, our heart twists in ways never expected. The passing of every new milestone leaves an aching trail across our soul as we all at once let go and embrace ... the aching for what once was, while embracing the next moment and the next milestone. We can cry and smile all at the same time. We are unique at this artful skill! 

More often than not the ache becomes a joyous celebration. We know deep within us that this is what it means to be a Mother and somehow you get used to living with that ache deep inside because that is what Motherhood is all about ... this delicate dance and merging of both the ache and the joy.


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