From Flood to Drought...

While Queensland, and the eastern states in Australia, battle with heavy rainfall and floods, I am experiencing a drought. A blog writing drought that is. I think it's because 2010 was an epic year, and the Christmas/New Year period was busy, and now 2011 has left me exhausted from helping out with flood relief here in Brisbane last week.

I cannot execute into words what I am thinking and what my heart is feeling.

So, for this moment, I'm going to rest in Him - my Heavenly Father who makes living worthwhile - and meditate on His Word more and see what promises He uncovers for me. I hope out of this time the words will come so I can write because I do miss it.

"Me Day" ... Um, No ... HIS DAY!

I enjoyed “Me Day” on Thursday just gone. I feel rather guilty referring to my day off as “Me Day” as it was more about Him than me, hence the title of this post. It was a chance to rest from the daily grind, renew my spirit and refresh my outlook. From the get-go, outside of a niggling day long headache, the day was wonderful!

Isaiah 32:17 spoke to me first – “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.”

After a somewhat interesting month where I’ve had to deal with some turmoil, this verse spoke of the three things that I have been seeking – peace, quietness and confidence.

The second verse to speak to me was Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This verse was accompanied by this quote from Gloria Gaither –

“This day let our actions and attitudes be in sync with all creation. May be articulate praise with the moments we are given today.”

I think I got the purpose of “Me Day” at that point.

God’s love needs to be displayed through me ... first and foremost in everything I think, say and do.

Onto the shopping centre I then ventured to a cafe to enjoy a coffee and read. My sights and thoughts along the way included the following, as written in my notebook once at the cafe:

“Old men sitting outside the supermarket chatting while their wives shopped ... a mum saying “see you later” to her tantrum throwing toddler at the main door.

A visit to the new stationery shop with young girls and boys looking at all the goodies, wanting to make the right purchase. Memories of my early teenage years flood back of me doing the same thing. Walking through to the cafe and seeing two young teenage girls sitting on some steps looking pretty, not returning my smile, looking at me with trepidation, me knowing full well that “image” is taking over their lives.

My thoughts move to being thankful for where I am at in life, despite the difficult times. I have God's love to share with others and I have to start doing that from today. THE MOMENT IS NOW.

Thoughts then go straight to my girlie. Love and smiles abound. I can do this. Even though we have bad times and she frustrates me no end (and vice versa!), I can do what God needs me to do; steward this child, this gift from God, into a life filled with richness.

I am not God’s purpose. He is using ME to show Himself to others.”

My cafe reading included continuing Liz Curtis Higgs’ book titled “Embrace Grace” and the chapters on embracing faith and truth. I then moved onto reading through the first chapter titled “Doing What’s Right” from Charles Swindoll’s book, “A Life Well Lived.” I then did some study questions from Micca Campbell’s “An Untroubled Heart” to finish off her amazing book.

All food for my soul and spirit on this day that I feel God used to strengthen me. He used the day to take me back to the basics of my walk with Him and to reassure me that through Him I can be all that He needs me to be, despite the fact that on the most part I feel I do a terrible job!

There are many, many verses that I read that spoke to me, but the following two stood out the most:

“We must obey God rather than man.” – Acts 5:29

“The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” – Psalm 118:6

A timely reminder about where my focus needs to be. Even when manking conspires against me, when life here on earth gets a bit tiresome and unfair, I have the assurance of God's protection and love over me.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to draw closer to you; to gain strength and reassurance from only you. May my walk here on earth among mankind be fruitful and grace-filled. May I live simply under the shelter of your wings and may Your purpose for me be fulfilled. In Jesus’ Wonderful Name, Amen.

Finding Rest...

I have just dropped my girlie off at school. I prised myself from her grip as the teacher prepared to start the class. I had one last look as I walked out the door and saw her sitting there with hands on lap with her head down and a sad look on her face. The emotions that are going through her head must be enormous, as I know they are for me. I have returned home for a day of rest from work due to not feeling very well at all; a throbbing head and aching body, which is the lot of our gender. The sadness that fills me at this point is a bit overwhelming and the guilt from not going into work, from leaving my girl at school, from having her go to after school care and not be picked up like the majority of other kids are because I work, and so many more things is also overwhelming. The loneliness I feel from living so far away from my family, and from not having seen my sweetie in over 18 months, consumes me like the darkness when the light is turned out.

I know that I am blessed to be a child of God, of whom I can turn to when I feel like this. Otherwise, I would be a mess. I just would not know what to do. I mean, I honestly don’t know what to do now. I don’t know how to make my daughter feel any joy at the prospect of going to school and after school care every day. I cannot in my capacity force joy upon her. I will pray, and will keep praying, and will turn to the scriptures today while I rest my aching head, weary body and suffering heart and soul. I just have no clue as to what I am supposed to do next, but God does and I shall wait for Him to provide the answers.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. – Psalm 62:1

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30



PS: Please also pop over to Laced with Grace today, as Debbie from Heart Choices is talking about Rest for the Weary.

PPS: I've just found a wonderful post by Lisa at Sharing Life with Lisa who is doing The LPM Siesta Scripture Memory Team challenge with myself and a couple thousand other women from around the globe. Lisa has posted on writing about a scripture that has special place in one's life, and it just so happens that Psalm 62:1 (above) is mine. It is a special scripture because I can only ever find true rest and true peace in God. No-one in the world or of the world can provide what I need, and no thing in the world or of the world can provide it either. I found a quote by Gerard Majella last night that sums up how I feel - "Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?" God alone is my salvation, my solice, my resting place and my source of everything I need.