Blessed by a Bird...

Yesterday while Jasmine was at her dancing class, I took some time outside (I usually sit in my car reading) and enjoyed the sunshine, fresh air and the birds (yes, even the crow that pooped on my leg...argh!).  One of the delights was this little Noisy Miner chick I discovered.  Noisy Miners are pesky and a nuisance, but this little delight was just interested in getting fed by its mamma, who turned up eventually (after the annoying human had stopped taking photos!) and gave the chick a feed.  Talk about feeling blessed!  I even had the chance to hold it as it had hopped onto a pathway, so I picked it up and put it back in the undergrowth.  Doubly blessed.  It sure did make up for the crow poop earlier!

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? - Matthew 6:26 NIV
 

Abundance and Blessing...

(Photo credit to Anna-Claire Photography © 2010)

Aren't You Going To Say Hello?

I blogged recently about it being a small world and marvelling over where my readers are from. Today I checked out my stats page again and found some new places, and also saw my usual readers listed (thank you, lovely friends!). So, yes, another Wordle.net creation to feast your eyes on.

And a challenge for my readers. If you're a regular reader - or even a brand new reader - and have or have not left me a comment, please do! I'd love to meet you and say hi back on your blog.

I'm blessed to be blessed by you!

Spotlight On...

...women who hit the nail on the head with each post!

I've stopped by many blogs in the couple of years I've been blogging, but there are a couple of ladies who I admire for their wisdom and for the way in which they relay back to me exactly how I am feeling but in their words. And these ladies are...

Julie from Jewelz Sightings and Gina from Chats With An "Old Lady".

You want the real deal and some raw truth? Then please check out their blogs. You will not regret it and you will be changed. In fact, your hearts will be opened and you will most definitely be blessed!

It Wasn't For Nothing...

On this Good Friday I’ve experienced a myriad of emotions; from happiness to sadness, from joy to deep and dark despair. The last week of my life has been pretty intense, but I have survived it. The only answer to how is because God is shown strong in my weakness.

Today I was weak. I was literally unable to move. My despair was debilitating. With an almost 6 year old to look after by myself while still suffering from a nasty head and chest cold, it took everything I had to get through the morning. I was blessed by phone calls of support from two of my best friends who brightened my spirit and provided the much needed diversion from my agony. I was also blessed by laughing uncontrollably at Jasmine learning how to hula hoop! Then, to top it off I was blessed by a friend arranging to meet us at the park for a play date with her daughter.

The biggest blessing of the day, however, was the knowledge that throughout my despair I was able to rest in the comfort that the one man who loves me unconditionally and with an undying love gave His life so I could have mine in eternity with Him. It reminded me that all I do and all I have done is and has not been for nothing.

I was told otherwise during the week and it hurt. It hurt a lot. Miscommunication, misunderstanding, misinterpretation...call it what you may, but to be told “thanks for nothing”...well, that really hurt. Even Jesus wouldn’t say that. You know why? Because everything we do, whether it involves hurt, happiness, a brief encounter or a long lasting relationship, is for something! Jesus dying on the cross was for something. The mere fact that I am raising my daughter alone is for something. To have been married and divorced happened for something.

I believe that to say that anything we did in our life was for nothing is foolish thinking.

In Ecclesiastes we are told that there is a time for everything. God has pre-destined everything that happens in life. Even if the situation we’re in doesn’t work out the way we planned (and I can hear God chuckling already at that notion), it worked out the way God planned it.

The happiness and pure joy I experienced over the last few years of my life happened to give back to me the part of me that I lost when my marriage broke down at age 27. The sorrow and grief I felt back then happened to prepare me for the present day when I find myself travelling life’s road and dealing with the usual emotions that follow when a relationship breaks down.

One verse that kept me going today was Hebrews 12:3 – “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” I will not fear anything as He has a purpose for me. I will not lose heart when I feel that I cannot cope. I will remember that Jesus suffered more pain and indignation in one day than I will suffer in a lifetime. He has had people say worse things to Him than “thanks for nothing”.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for nurturing me today. Thank You for bringing blessings into my life today that reminded me of Your faithfulness. Thank You for loving me with an undying and unconditional love, despite my faults and failures. Thank You for Jesus. In His wonderful name, Amen.

Accepting the Exception...

The exception to the rule, that is. I am zapped and it's only Tuesday! Why does it feel like Friday? Is it because first thing Monday morning when I rocked into work I was asked questions within what seemed like a split second of putting my bag on my desk? It is because for the last few days I've had to deal with a maturing 5 (nearly 6) year old who tests my patience no end? Is it because the weather has been so crazy with heat then rain that my poor fibromyalgia-effected body doesn't know whether it's coming or going?

It is all of the above and more, with the more being tonight me making a faux pas of not monumental measure, but enough to make me feel a tad foolish. And no, don't anyone ask me to repeat the tale, as for me it's a very valuable lesson.

Matthew 11:28 tells us that when we are weary and heavy-laden, we are to come to the Lord. So, that is exactly where I'm going once I finish this post. To the One who will take me under His wings and protect me from the terror of the night (yes, I am afraid of the dark) and shield me from the fiery arrows of the enemy during the day.

I'm going to use this post as my Word List post for the week, and also fit in my 24 in 2010 scripture verse and a blog prize and more, so here goes...

My scripture memory verse for the 15th of this month is Psalm 34:4 -

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

I was feeling fearful yesterday after calling my real estate agent to see whether or not my lease had been renewed. I asked my wonderful friend Jo Princess Warrior to pray for me. Not only did she pray but she also sent me some 'medicine', being Psalm 34:4-5 from the New Living Translation (and yes, my lease has been renewed for another 6 months with only a small monetary increase!). Wonderful words of comfort and promise that instantly calmed my nerves and made the fear leave. (Please see Extravagant Grace for some wonderful verse buttons from Philippians!)

Speaking of the lovely Jo, she gave me a 'When Life Gives You Lemons...Set Up A Lemonade Stand' award today. I am blessed! So, to bless some others I would like to give this award to my lovely blog friends Lelia at Write From The Heart, Paula at His Ways ... Are Not Our Ways, and Heather at On The Road ...Walking With Jesus. These are all ladies who have taken the lemons of life and most definitely turned them into sweet tasting lemonade! And their lemonade, sweetened by the grace and ongoing comfort of God, has helped to heal me and help me in many areas of my life!


I want to also bring attention to the lovely Christy's blog, Critty Joy. She has come up with a new concept called 'Pouring Out' and I love it! The concept is that for one week a month she will give readers a few challenges and then at the end of the week we can post on them. Well, this week has presented two challenges - writing a letter and making a phone call. Sounds pretty simple, but how often do you do it? Please check out Christy's Pouring Out challenges here. I am behind the eight-ball already on them, but I WILL take up the challenge.


So, that is my 'accepting the exception' blog post, which I thought was going to be small but isn't, hehe. Another exciting thing to report is that my little cherub has her first loose tooth! I am happy yet sad as it means that my precious little girl is growing up! I love her to bits, and the love grows every day despite the developing of my patience!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings of Your Word, the friends You have sent my way, the honour of being 'Mummy' to my precious little girl, and for helping me to work out the reason behind my faux pas tonight. I thank You for all that You do for me. In Jesus' Wonderful Name, Amen.



(PS: Please check out my post below on Saigon the circus elephant.)

Spotlighting...

Here in Australia country folk have a past time called 'spotlighting' where they drive around in their 4 wheel drive vehicles (RTV and/or SUV to my American friends) in the bush and chase wild animals. To see the animals they usually have driving spotlights attached to the front of their vehicles and, more often than not, have one, two or more spotlights attached to the roof by either a cab guard or roof rack.

The spotlighting that I want to do is quite different from this, and it's going to be all about placing three blog links into the spotlight on my blog. The spotlight may shift to other blogs weekly, or some may stay for longer.

I've added a new section to my right hand side bar titled "Spotlight" and this week I've added Princess Warrior Lessons, Critty Joy and Jewelz Sightings. These ladies have touched my heart with their wonderful posts this week and deserve the acknowledgement.

Jo at Princess Warrior Lessons because not only is she my dear sweet friend and fellow Princess Warrior chick, but she is also travelling the narrow path right alongside me and Jesus the Gentleman at the same pace. Sometimes she edges forward and sometimes she slips back. But whatever the case, it is MEANT. TO. BE. The amount of times over the last month (and more) that she has been the vessel in which God has touched me, and vice versa, is amazing. We were truly meant to do this walk together.

Christy at Critty Joy because her energy and enthusiasm to share the Word with others is infectious. She is proposing a new challenge meme called Pouring Out and it is the BEST idea ever! I love a challenge, and I especially love a challenge that will deepen my walk with Jesus! Christy is also the Quotables Queen, and the quotes she prepares are delightful!

Julie at Jewelz Sighting because she is currently running a post series about HER journey and what God has done and is doing in her life! I sat on the weekend just gone and read through the series back to back and aside from the tears spilled I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders. And God, through Julie, is continuing to have this affect on me. Julie's latest post made me realise that I was not rejected in my life but moreso Jesus took those people out of my life to save and protect me! An amazing revelation!

So please check out these blogs. You WILL be blessed!

Priorities...

God has been teaching me a lot lately.

How to manage my time better. How to control my complex personality, for want of a better way to describe me. How to focus my attention on the things that truly matter. How to channel my thoughts towards what will actually matter in eternity.

I'm finding life to be very challenging at the moment - both in a positive and negative way. By positive, I mean that I am making changes and adjustments that are improving my life. In the negative, I mean that the world and it's depravity gets the better of me at times and brings me down.

Thankfully we serve a God who makes His divine presence known in all areas. In the positive areas, it's through helping me to make worthwhile changes and adjustments that help me live more productively. In the negative areas, it's through reminding me that while the world is like it is, His way is the best way and that I am to not feel scared by what I encounter here.

The world actually scares me, to be quite honest. The depravity of human beings, the way in which humans portray themselves, the low acts that are performed just to make people take notice, and so on. These things really don't matter in the ultimate scheme of things. All that matters is living for God, sharing His love with the world, and following His Word.

Some people, I believe, are followers and some are leaders. The followers get drawn into the depravity of the world that the leaders portray as being 'great, enjoyable and so worth your while'. Sex, alternative lifestyles, drugs, deception, and the like, are all thrown in our faces as worthwhile pursuits. These things are not. God is the only worthwhile pursuit.

God will fulfill every need that you have.
God will satisfy the cravings we have for a sense of belonging.
God will fill the empty void that we have in our soul.
God just will.

There is NO doubt about that.

Why will He do that?

Because He made us to be His. Not the world's. His.

I had the chance to share with some work colleagues last week how God works in my life. I shared how He works in an amazing way. I honestly don't feel worthwhile to be the recipient of everything He has done, and continues to do, for me. He thinks that I'm worthwhile. He made me; He knows me.

I have led a life whereby I could, and perhaps should, be disease riddled, the victim of worse things than I've encountered, and even be in a far worse position that I am financially, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically. Why am I not? Because of Him.

He has sustained me and watched over me for my entire life, even when I haven't walked with Him. Aside from the fact that He loves me so, He has done this so I can be where I am now. In the here and now, strong in my belief that HE alone is worth the glory for my life, despite its ups and downs.

So, back to my priorities. My eyes are fixed on Him, my sweetie, my daughter, my family, friends and work colleagues, and anyone who I encounter who is experiencing what I have in life. Why? So I can pass on His love. That's the number one priority.

I am truly blessed by Him.

Thanksgiving...

After a few weeks of trials and tribulations, I have been presented with various revelations from the Lord, and I am truly thankful for His constant presence. I am slowly reading through the New Testament and this morning I started on 1 Corinthians. Paul is the epitome of one called by God to serve Him, and I always enjoy reading his invaluable contribution to The Word.

Two passages of Scripture stood out this morning - 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 and 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. Both of these remind me to be thankful for God's presence in my life, for the sacrifice that Jesus made for me, and for their enduring presence in my life.

While reading through the first passage, I wrote the following down:

Thank God
Life enriched
Wait on Jesus
He is my strength
God called me
God is faithful

Simple yet poignant reminders about the simplicity of the Christian walk amidst the complexity of it. These are basic truths for me to hold onto throughout my walk.

Thanksgiving then leads onto a reminder of who I was before God chose me. It’s an open and honest reminder of the fact that He is wiser and stronger and I am to never forget that.

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NIV)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in my life, thank you for the blessing of Jesus' sacrifice for me and thank you for your enduring presence through the good and bad times in my life. All things, good or bad, serve a purpose, and I have been strengthened by this truth through You. In Jesus' Wonderful Name, Amen

Sandals and Stomping...

I've been enlightened by my lovely friend Lelia from Write From the Heart once again. This week she posted a blog titled As to Lelia...I mean the LORD! and it is a fabulous read! Pop over and have a look, and see if you come away feeling as enlightened as I did!

Ever since reading Lelia's post, and the practical way that she used Jesus as an example in regard to His sandals and stomping, I have been thinking about my own behaviour as far as shoe throwing and chucking a tantrum are concerned. Did I pass the "Jesus test"? No, I get a big, fat 'F' for FAIL!

I have a short fuse, a fast mouth and an even slower brain when the first two are put in action. I have frown lines as proof, and I also have some enemies masquerading as friends as a result. Does this make me feel like the worst person in the world? Yes, it certainly does. So, this is why Lelia's words about Jesus and how he would act have made an impact.

I don't want to have a short fuse, a fast mouth or a slow brain when I get angry. I want to be cool, calm and collected. I did a quick search on Bible Gateway on the words 'slow to anger' and nine results appeared. The words compassionate, gracious, great in power, abounding in love and more appeared alongside slow to anger. This is what our God is, and this is what Jesus is, and this is what I should be. I am not who I am supposed to be in the Lord...

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. - Psalm 86:15

He is all of these things, and He is also forgiving. Thank YOU Lord for this reminder. I have sinned. I have acted in a way that I should not have. The Lord does not tell us to never be angry, but He does tell us that we must be SLOW TO ANGER.

I will remember these words. I will think twice before I take off my sandals and throw them (not literally though!). I will remember the example of Jesus who, like our Father, is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abouding in love and faithfulness. I will be faithful to my Father and set the example of the person who He made me to be, not who I have become and dislike.

Thank You dear Lord for giving us the blessing of Lelia and her open and honest blog posts. Thank You also for your Word, which is my instruction manual on how I am to do life - the life that YOU intended me to live. In Jesus' Wonderful Name, Amen

My Unfailing Companion...

"Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me." - Psalm 27:10

"God is the only one who wants to be and always can be the unfailing companion on our journey." - Gini Andrews

Every December 7th when I turn over my daily devotional I read the above verse and quote. And every December 7th I am reminded that God IS the only one that will ALWAYS be by my side no matter what.

He provides me with...

...unconditional love...
...no risk of betrayal...
...trust unlimited...
...total reliance.

And why is this verse and quote so important this year, as opposed to others? Without getting into detail in this post, it is because I found out a couple of days ago that someone whom I held dear to me, and whom I loved, trusted and relied upon at one point in my life, betrayed me. While this news is not surprising, given the person and the circumstances, the emotional fallout from it will take a while to recover from. It will actually go towards re-writing some of my life’s history.

This verse and quote has reminded me that God, and our Saviour Jesus, are the only ones ever, and I mean EVER, who will NEVER ever, no matter what, forsake me. How comforting is that?! It’s amazingly comforting, and not just when I face trials, but in general.

Dear Lord, I am blessed by You, and blessed by Your reassuring words that come – that ALWAYS come – at the times when I need them most. You have not, and will not ever, forsake me and today, and always, I am grateful for that. In Jesus’ Wonderful Name, Amen.

Thankful Thursday...

Welcome to my very first Thankful Thursday post. After reading various Thankful Thursday posts over the last month or so, and reading Susan's today at Forever His, I thought I would post one too!

Today I am thankful for the blessing of my adorable daughter Jasmine, who at 4 and a half years of age, offers me her renewed love for me on a daily basis with every "Mummeeeeee" that comes from her room in the morning when she wakes. She displayed the desire to be Mummy's little shadow last night before bedtime and "help" me to sort out a computer issue, and just blesses me generally with her presence, even during the tense times we have together sometimes.

I am also thankful for my wonderful 'adopted' siblings here in Brisbane, who provide me with love, advice and support when times get a bit hard for me while I do it solo as a parent. Without these siblings, and others who provide me with support, I would not 'do life' as well as I do while living so far away from my family.

My thankfulness stretches right out beyond this blog page to my new Sisters in Christ that I have found in blogland. I am so grateful that God led me here as I am learning to be a better person for God, and also sharing my life experiences and knowledge with others who are going through what I have gone through in life so far.

The greatest thanks, however, must go to our Heavenly Father and our wonderful Saviour, Jesus Christ, who are with us 24/7, watching over us and caring for us as God's Girls. We are blessed and Hebrews 12:28 expresses it well -

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..."

"Thank you dear Lord that I have been blessed with the wonderful people that I have in my life today. Thank you that I am able to learn from them, and turn to them when I am weak. And thank you that I am always able to turn to you at any time and about any thing, and that I know you will always be there for me. In Your Heavenly Name, Amen."

The Best Laid Plans...

Yes, the best laid plans of mice and mummies...hehe. I had planned on being a super duper homemaker today and tackle a lot of long overdue tasks that I had to do, plus start working on my household organiser. But, instead of doing that, I went out and finally bought a laptop, which I've been talking about doing for quite a few months now.

So, here in the photo above, is yours truly looking ever so pleased with herself. And yes, as you can see, my stacks of paperwork that I had to go through are sitting there on my dining room table waiting for sorting. Also, you can see my desktop PC in the background, switched off and most likely feeling a bit rejected. I will still be using it, as all my music and photos are on it, but the laptop will be for my blogging moments - my inspirational moments - when I'm sitting up in bed, like I am now.

I am thankful for the blessing of some extra cash that was bestowed upon me post-income tax time, or else I would not be sitting her on my laptop typing this blog from the comfort of my bed! And I am looking forward to developing my writing and blogging skills in the times to come, which is part of the reason I decided to buy the laptop too. It's a big buzz for me, as you can probably tell, to have this technology available to me.

Three years ago I didn't even own a computer, and only accessed the internet from work. I laugh when I think that in 3 years I've gone from only a work and Hotmail email address, no computer and an old school mobile (cell) phone to having 2 desktop computers, a laptop, a computer on my mobile phone and umpteen dozen email address and also web pages! I love it though, and I especially love the freedom that this technology has given me.

An Inspiring Devotion From the Cafe...

This evening I finally got around to reading today's Internet Cafe Devotion and found it to be written by Linda Crow at 2nd Cup of Coffee about her son heading off to college. As I read the post I smiled as Linda told the story and then she included the following words and verse:

"When we’re lonely, it’s important to remember that scripture is full of promises that the Lord never abandons us. For instance, Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.""

These are certainly encouraging words, especially to a solo mum like myself who lives approximately 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) from her family and misses them very much. These words, and the verse, remind me that I am not alone and I'm never to feel afraid or discouraged.

Linda then included the following:

"In fact, God loves catching us off-guard, turning our expectations upside down: “Do not remember past events; pay no attention to things of old. Look. I am about to do something new … I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18-19)."

It's so important to move on from one's past and to realise that wherever we are, in whatever situation, whether we consider it to be good or bad, God will always make a way for us and always provide us with rivers in the desert! He is the God of the impossible, who only ever asks the possible of us! We must remember this.

So, from showers of blessings yesterday to rivers in the desert today, it seems that the drought is lifting in my world and I'm finally making my way out of my dried up wilderness! (Please see my post about Becoming Unstuck, which will elaborate on this.)

Thank you Lord for providing such inspirational devotions to meditate on daily through the Cafe, and thank you to Linda for providing this revelation today. The insights that come from these lovely ladies are very welcoming and certainly help in more ways than imaginable! In Your Wonderful Name, Amen.

Blessings...

Last night I sat and perused blog pages and realised, as I shut up shop to go to bed, that I am blessed! I am blessed not only by the fact that I am one of God's Girls, but that through His provision He has connected me with so many of His other Girls in the world that I need never feel that I'm doing life alone again!

To add to these blessing is the fact that I live with one of God's Little Girls in the shape of my daughter Jasmine, who was born to one parent who should have known better and to another parent who thought he did. Thank the Lord for the opportunity for the sinner to be forgiven of the sin, yet still loved!

Another blessing is my sweetie who came back into my life after a 17 year absence just over 3 years ago, and who enhances my life even though we are separated by many miles! God has a plan, and we both love Him enough to know this and follow what He wants us to do.

More blessings keep popping into my head; the fact that I have a full-time job and am a valuable member of my workplace. The fact that I am part of a family, who, although we deal with our dysfunctional aspects in the best way we can, love each other and will do so always.

My extended family is a blessing; my aunts, uncles, cousins, "adopted" family members. The people who I grew up with and who are just like family. The friends I have made over the years, and especially the friends who have stuck by me through thick and thin, accept me for who I am - faults and all! And especially the friends who will, at the drop of a hat, come running to help me when I feel that the world is crashing down around me.

My church family, who, although I don't see them as much as I should, I join every Sunday to worship our Father and thank Him for the gift of His Son so that we can live the joyous, happy and free lives that we live. I'm also blessed with wonderful pastors at church who guide and instruct me from God's Word with their insightful sermons!

I have been blessed recently by the gift of cyberspace, where I have not only made contact with people whom I haven't seen in too many years to count (go Facebook!), but I have also met and formed friendships with ladies whom I would never have met otherwise (go Blogger!). Ladies who, although I have never met them in real life and may never get the chance to prior to getting to heaven, have touched my life and provided me with such words of comfort, love and encouragement that I can do nothing else other than love them as Sisters in Christ always and forever!

I have been blessed by two particular Sisters in Christ through cyberspace, and one is my dear friend Carmen whom I met via Yahoo nearly 2 years ago. She is an absolute treasure and delight and provides such warmth even just from her smile! The second is the lovely Lelia, who through her openness and sheer delight in loving the Lord has helped open up a whole new world of hope and discovery in the Lord for me. We have all journeyed on similar paths on our lives and I know that is why God made our paths cross now.

A mixture of blessings here for me, and what a wonderful mixture it is! I am blessed all around. Everywhere I look from right in front of me - to every coastline here in Australia, to the other side of the world, and amazingly to nearly every part of the world now; America, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tabago, Norway and Canada - I can see blessings!

I am truly blessed, and thankful to my wonderful Lord for providing me with such blessings! He has sent me my showers of blessing! Thank you Lord!

“I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” – Ezekiel 34:26