Our God Can Be Freaky...

Yes, OK, before you say it. I am odd. I already know that I am and I apologise in advance if the above photos happen to freak or creep anyone out! The bottom two are there just because they're cute!

I have some cute little housemates (see photo number 3 for our 'friends', as Jasmine and I call them) that come and go around my home. They are geckos and they inhabit the outside of my kitchen window, under my patio, in my garage, around my front light, and, yes, in the house.

As I washed my dishes tonight I looked up at my window and there one was. It had dropped its tail (as in the top photo) and there was about 3mm of a new tail poking out. Freaky and creepy? Yes, but oh so cool. So much so that I tweeted and Facebooked this -

"Geckos are amazing in that they can grow their tails back! I have one on my kitchen window now. Freaky yet cool stuff. Only God!"

Yes, I am a bit of a nutter, but a self-professed one at that! I love all things 'odd'. I'm the type of person that talks to inanimate objects. Weird? Yes, but it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. (Just think 'little white pills' here and you'll understand!)

But...don't you love how creative God was with animals, birds, reptiles, fish and so on? From camouflage on chameleons to dropped tails on geckos. How awesome is God? His creativity is mind bloggling actually! And I must commend Adam on the name. 'Gecko' sounds very cool. They have to be with the amazing suction cup feet they have! (Check out photo number 2.)

The day that we get to Heaven and see God is going to be even grander than Dorothy's departure from the Emerald City. If what we see here on earth pales in comparison to heaven, then bring it on, I say! In fact, the end destination of the Yellow Brick Road from The Wizard of Oz already pales into comparison. Yellow...gold...I think I know my choice.

What interesting animals, reptiles, birds, etc do you have around your house? Do you have any quirky habits that could deem you to be put into the 'odd' category?

To Write Love On My Arm...

February 12...worldwide...is a TWLOHA (To Write Love On Her Arm) Day. Yesterday was February 12 here in Australia and I wrote love on my arm.

TWLOHA's mission statement is -

"To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery."

Please check out the website here and work your way through from the Vision along to see what this wonderful group is doing.

I struggle with depression and have done now for the last 10 plus years. It's hereditary, it's circumstantial but it's also something that I am overcoming with the help of my Wonderful God, some amazing friends and, yes, a box of little white pills.

In life we are dealt with circumstances - thorns in our sides, if you wish - that open up new avenues to experiences to us. Depression is not something that I like to say I suffer from, but I do. It's part of me, but it will be overcome as I am the Daughter of the King and He will heal me.

As for addiction, self-injury and suicide. Not so much. Addiction, I suppose, comes in many forms and not just drugs and alcohol. It can be to shopping (books, among other things, in my case!), watching TV, food and more. Addiction is a comfort and can be hard to break given that, depending on the thing one is addicted to, it can transform our mind into something not natural. It can affect our brain chemistry, our day to day activities and can become a crutch.

Self-injury can also come in many forms aside from cutting your arm. In some cases it is self-loathing, and in the case of a depressed and anxious person, hurting oneself by other means than a knife cut on the arm. I experience the overwhelming need to inflict pain on myself when highly anxious as it's a means of releasing tension. Let's just say that in my case fingernails are not a good addition to have on ones person!

Suicide...now there's a big one! Aside from thoughts of wishing that I was no longer here to endure the emotional pain of life, I would never contemplate suicide. Some may say that I can't say that, but yes I can. I know there is hope in life even despite the difficult times. This hope comes from an unwaivering faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one that speaks to me when I just wish I was not here. I have had many low moments in life over a twenty year period and I have wished I wasn't here. But, suicide is not my game. There is much more to life that letting the enemy have his way with my heart and soul.

Everyone has their reasons to write love on their arm. Above are mine. Everyone needs to know why they need to write love on their arm. Above are mine. Everyone needs to know who can help them overcome the need to write love on their arm. God is mine. He is our Creator, Provider and Comforter. A lot of people do not understand why I walk with God, but to be fair to them, they have never felt God's Heavenly Touch on their heart. I have.

Please take some time to read about To Write Love On Her Arm, to understand what their vision is, to see what they are doing, and then to relate that back to your life and see how to write love on YOUR arm would help you. Also, please take some time to thank your Heavenly Father for the blessings He gives in your life.