Monday, November 16, 2009

Forgotten view

The end of another day drew to a close, and what a glorious day it had been. Sun shining, a gentle breeze in the air and no pressing engagements to attend, finally, time available to spend at home and potter around in the yard, which was beginning to resemble the bush, wild and unkept. Hubby worked like a trojan all day, cutting, sawing, gathering, disposing, transforming our backyard. You see, we once had a beautiful view from our back deck, but over time it had become obscurred. The trees had gotten out of control and overgrown and to be honest we hadn't noticed that our view had slowly disappeared, we'd gotten distracted, relaxing and drinking in what we had been blessed with had become a thing of the past.
We've had some spectacular storms pass through lately, thunder, lightening, rain and wind, strong flora pruning wind, branches had been broken off many of the trees and there it had emerged, a glimpse of what we had been missing, a catylst inspiring further more brutal but necessary pruning. Words had been spoken as to which and how severely some of my more favourite view inhibitors were to be attacked but in the end I was assured by my trusty gardener that they would grow to be much more healthy and flower more profusely. With the task now finished and a large pile of dead wood at the bottom of our yard out of the way, we sat soaking in the picture from our deck, the way now clear.
 I don't really know why we had allowed it to become so overgrown, laziness, life, distractions ?, But what I do know, is that regaining focuss and having a clear view ahead is refreshing and inspiring, opening the way to move forward no longer encumbered.
 Pruning, not always fun ,more often unpleasant hard work, has rewards. Abundant fruit, beautiful flowers and breathtaking views of the path ahead.



" I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that doesn't produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more." John 15:1-2 NLT  
Lxx                      

Monday, October 12, 2009

Ambushed

Have you ever had a dream of something you wanted to accomplish, a desire to achieve, a passion to make a difference ? In your mind you can picture it all, ideas abundantly overflowing, there's an excitement in your belly and the anticipation of venturing into unknown territory is exhilorating. You decide to share your dream, verbalising your vision and plans make it all the more real, you have taken the leap from dreamtime into reality, it's out there, made known. Something in the atmosphere changes, butterflys of excitement turn to feelings of nausea, great ideas suddenly seem unattainable and exhiloration morphs into fear and doubt.
" I can't achieve that......I don't have the capabilities......the talent........the resources......I can't......I can't !
" I " suddenly becomes a big issue, paralysis sets in and the enemy successfully ambushes your dreams and purpose.
Having experienced all of these emotions after penning my first ever piece to be seen by eyes other than my own, overwhelmed with self doubt, I promptly screwed it up and threw it in the bin.
Passions and dreams are given to us by God, He knows the desires of our heart. Our ideas don't have to be huge and complicated in order to make a difference, it may be as simple as.....A prompting to phone a friend- who's probably in need of a chat.......Inviting your neighbour over for coffee- she may be lonely hoping for company.......Talking to the new person at church and making them feel welcome or just speaking out that word of encouragement that comes to mind. God promises when we trust Him and step outside of our box that He will uphold us with His victorious right hand.......He both preceeds and follows us........that our weaknesses become His strength. Our confidence dosen't come from " I " it comes from Him.
 " I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me " Philippians 4:13
Let's take hold of these promises beautiful Sistas, step out, follow our dreams, make that difference and allow God to " accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or imagine " Ephesians 3:20
  I wrote this two and a half years ago, I did retrieve the letter from the bin and began to write but somewhere along the way I opened the door to fear and doubt walking straight back into the the enemies ambush....again. I have wasted so much time and energy wandering around in the land of " I " but He loves me too much to leave me there. I have a sore butt, because lately everwhere I turn He's giving me a boot back in the right direction. I'll be honest that direction is scary, some big decisions that will require some serious stretching and trusting are on the horizon, however I plan to travel with an expert guide, He has an eye for the ambush ahead. He has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind. With each challenge that comes my way, He keeps bringing to mind.....

Your destiny lies at the end of your obedience.
Lxx

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Blink, and You'll Miss It

My Word for the Day " Stop Focussing on what you don't have cause you'll miss what you've already got! "..........
 Boy, did I need a good kick in the pants, and I received it yesterday via a kids movie! There is definately a conspiracy out there to get into big peoples heads. Yes, I cried and spent a good amount of time trying to swallow the persistent lump in my throat, who'd have thought that an animation would leave me pondering my present state of being, where I'm at, where I've been and where I'm headed! Movie title... ironically " UP ". My apologies to those who are yet to see it, but I just have to share.
Brief overview......Nerdy but very cute boy meets girl of the same, childhood sweethearts sharing the same dreams and passion for adventure fall in love, marry, save for their ultimate goal, to visit a faraway land filled with mystery and intrigue, children yes but unfortunately no, still saving for the dream, years roll by life gets in the way, still saving he finally buys the tickets....she passes away ( you could have heard a pin drop ).The lump in my throat grew to mammoth proportions at this point. Very cute kid enters his life, he decides to follow the dream, kid gets caught up in the adventure, kid becomes the focus of the journey, but he still has his eyes set on the past and what he didn't achieve almost missing the new adventure awaiting him. He realises that his past was full and rich and wonderful and now it was time for a new chapter and what an amazing chapter it turned out to be.
Oh my gosh, being the dreamer of big dreams that I am, and up to my elbows in the season of teenage girls, the 40's my lifes half over crisis ( I know, the glass is half full,need an attitude adjustment ), time for a new direction, time to follow my passions and dreams ( once I can identify them with some clarity )struggling with who I am now that my girls are more independent,what is my purpose ( knowing full well that being a mum is a privilege and a purpose )trying to come to terms with my failures and letting them go, I could prattle on but I think I'll stop there, I'm sounding totally disfunctional.
Reality check ! I'm missing what I've already got and if I blink I'm going to miss it totally.
It only seems like yesterday that I held my beautiful first born in my arms, captivated by her, wondering what the future held, that was 4 children and 18 years ago!  I've been so focussed on what I haven't achieved and what I want to achieve that it is obscuring the blessings of what I am experiencing now. Just the other day, my hubby and I were able to spend a day out on the lake fishing, just the two of us, courtesy of the now season (teenage girls social calenders simultaneously full ). It's a little bit like reading a book, being impatient after reading the first chapter and skipping through to the last missing what's in the middle and then having to constantly flick back trying to fill in the gaps.The best bits are always inbetween the beginning and the end.
There is nothing wrong with dreaming, God gives us desires and passions but life is not about what I haven't achieved, it's about appreciating what I have, living in and enjoying the present, being grateful and content and trusting that He knows the desires of my heart and will bring them to pass.



 This Sista has just learnt a lesson.  Lxx

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Beautiful Feet

Wardrobe conversion complete! The weather has warmed up, winter clothes packed away, summer apparell now hanging in it's place, "finally". It's been a long winter and it's exhilerating to be out in the sun again. The aroma of spring sparks the senses, renewed motivation, anticipation, excitement, time to catch up on all the things left undone, and of course, shopping for new season bargains.
First port of call, shoes. Sitting down to try on the funky platforms I'd found, I slipped off my black winter faithfuls, "Oh No!" Now girls, we all now what happens to our feet when they are tucked away and covered up during their hibernating months. If you are like me, you become a little neglectful, "Out of sight, Out of mind!" More pressing issues take precidence over tending to my feet, but really it dosen"t take long, a little TLC on a regular basis keeps my tootsies in good shape. REGULARLY is the key, left unattended to, my poor old feet start to look a bit dry, cracked and neglected and of course the longer I leave tending to the situation, the more prolonged the recovery of "said" feet becomes. In all aspects of life, we need to be consistent, committed to maintaining the things that are important. I know what you are thinking, "They are only feet!", but bare with me.
"Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today" Hebrews 3.13 NIV
I think that sometimes we get so caught up in our own little world of "Busyness" that we can forget what an impact we have on the lives of those around us.
Do we make a point of touching base regularly with friends? Or do we find ourselves in that place of "Just too busy, will do it later", and before we know it, weeks or months have gone by?
"Encouragement is awesome. it has the capacity to.......actually change the course of another human beings' day, week or life" - Charlse R. Swindoll.
Friendships are beautiful, precious blessings gifted to us by God to enrich our daily walk. To encourage one another daily requires "nurture" and to nurture we need to REGULARLY touch base. I know at times it is difficult, life gets hectic, but let's not become "too busy" to realise what is truly important.
Re-connect with old friends, do coffee with your besties, seek out new friendships, not only will you be a blessing, but your life will also be enriched.
Oh, if you are still wondering about the feet..........
 Isaiah 52:7 NLT
  "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation....."

                                                                                                                                         Lxx

Monday, September 14, 2009

Celerbrating Fatherhood

I'm sitting here feeling quite chuffed, I have just learnt how to upload photos onto my computer. I can see the expressions of shock & hear the giggles of disbelief, I know, it's so simple but I'm technologically challenged, surely I'm not the only one who usually gets the kids to do it for them???? Somebody humour me please! I'm sure I"ll get the hang of it eventually. Anyway, as I was perusing through my photos I came across images from Fathers Day. My hubby received the best present, according to him, all of his daughters spending the day together as a family. This is a rarity theses days as No 1 daughter has her licence and a boyfriend. We picniced by the lake in the gorgeous sunshine with both pops, siblings, nieces and nephews, the whole clan, it was a memorable occasion.
 Watching my dad sitting in his camping chair relaxing prompted me to dig into many such memories. He's in his sixties now and a lifetime of hard physical work is beginning to show its toll. He's not as spritely as he once was, there's a limp when he walks and I'm sure hes shrunk and for the first time, I truly realised,  "my dad is getting old". I think I still saw him through the eyes of a little girl, that forever young daddy had suddenly become the grandad, his mortality evident.
 Not so long ago, driving in the car listening to Focus on the Family, honouring dads being the topic of the day, it was sugested that we write a letter to our dad, thanking him for who he is and what he has meant in our life. I took up the challenge and I think the effects of these written memories and feelings were as profound for me as they were for my dad when I presented them to him as a gift......
                           DAD
When I was little you read me stories in bed each night
You stayed up late on Christmas Eves putting stuff together
You took me to work with you
We surfed together on your malibu
You taught me how to fish
We watched our special tv documentaries together
Each summer weekend you'd pack up the van to go to the beach
You took us camping and 4wheel driving
We went bushwalking and tadpoling
You held my head and comforted me when I was sick
You ran with me after a hard days work
You sat through all my ballet concerts
You encouraged when I began my career and you taught me good work ethic
You trusted me when I spread my wings
You extended a helping hand to get my first business underway
Your example helped me to choose a husband who would love and treat me well
You kissed my hand as you walked me down the aisle and gave me away
You built the home in which I am raising my family
You were there when your grandaughters were born, each one special to their Poppy Pete
You have always put me first, often at your own expense
You are an example of honesty, integrity, hard working, perseverance, longsuffering, endurance, trustworthiness and commitment
You have given me many wonderful, cherished memories
I look up to you and I admire you
I thank God for you and am proud you are my Daddy
You mean more to me than you know and I'll love you always
Thank you, Your Daughter
                                       Leeanne
 I can't recall seeing my dad moved emotionally on many occasions, with tears in his eyes he hugged me and said, " This is the best present ever ".
So often we neglect to let the people who are important in our lives know how much we appreciate them. We assume they are aware of our feelings and take for granted there will always be a tomorrow. My nana gave me her diamond ring for my 30 birthday, she wanted me to know then how much she loved me and see me wearing it, that was 11 years ago and she has since gone home, but I knew because she told me.
Don't put it off any longer, someone is waiting to hear, mend the bridge if you have to. What began as a gift for my dad became a blessing for me.
                  My Dad                                               My Hubby & his Girls                                        

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

My Beautiful Girls
Candice, Ebonie,
Madeline & Eden
My Darling Hubby
   Scott

Monday, September 7, 2009

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the air and when i get a wiff of that beautiful warm weather, I go into cleaning mode, spring cleaning. Tick "yes" for windows, inside and out, screens washed and re-attached, mind you scaling a ladder was required, a little dodgy at times, but at least we are now able to view the outside world without thinking it's a little hazy.
Todays task....The linen cupboard! Talk about biting off more than you can chew, turned into an all day job after having to unfold every sheet to identify its species, single...,double...or queen? Why do I have soooo many sets of sheets? Probably because I've inherited all of my mums hand offs, and, being the horder that I am, just knew that I would use them at some point. It dosen't hurt to have spares, you know for camping or drop sheets for painting, extras.....just in case! Lets not forget the towels, the good towels, bath and beach...,the general towel population...and the old towels used for the grubby stuff like dog washing, wiping dirty feet and mopping up spillages. Tea towels...hand towels...washers...tablecloths and how did I aquire the abundance of pillowcases? I'll blame mum. It dosen't end there, doonas and covers...blankets again in all species and a couple of extra pillows.....No wonder the doors were difficult to shut!
You'll be glad to hear that a major culling took place, my linen cupboard is now rid of all the old tired worn out stuff I'd been hanging onto, there is actually now space unclaimed, no doubt waiting to be filled, but the job is done for now.....until next time.
Why do we hang onto all that old stuff that clutters up and makes life difficult, leaving little or no room for growth and new things? Putting off discarding the old often appears to be easier than sorting through all the junk we hoard away, but how good does it feel after a clean out and everything is in order?....A sense of achievement, relief and the overwhelming feeling of a fresh start, a new chapter. No doubt there will be the need for many such cullings along lifes journey, but that's just it!We cannot take everything with us, there's not enough room, some things need to be discarded and in wisdom we move forward. Wisdom is should be our travelling companion, she helps us determine which baggage is worth keeping, discerning the good stuff, turning old into new, making room for what really matters.
Let wisdom be your guide, get stuck into that spring cleaning, de-clutter and free up some space, turf out the old and make way for the new.......His new......it's wrth the effort.
Lxx