Saturday, June 5, 2010

Unpacking the Vision

A couple of years ago a group of girls, well women really, mums all in different seasons....some of us a little older than others.....not that much older.......ok, I'm the oldest, began meeting together once a fortnight to encourage, nurture and support one another. We started out reading books, discussing their content on marriage, relationship, parenting, mentoring & personal growth from some wonderful authors including ; Stormie Omartian, Lisa Bevere, Lisa Ter Keurst & Priscilla Shirer.We have laughed together, cried together and consumed mountains of coffee, tea and of course the odd cake or two....or three.
  Over the course of our years meeting together many things have changed, we all attend different churches now, careers have blossomed, businesses have flourished, some deep valleys have been travelled and dreams are being followed. This is of course but a snippet of what we have shared, each one of us has been given a vision of where God wants to lead. This is the unpacking of my journey through SistasInArms.
 I guess we all come to a point in our life where we question......What's it all about?  what is my purpose ? where can I make a difference ? And now that my girls are all in their teens and pursuing their own lives, not that my role as mum is diminished, just changing, that time has come for me. God, what do you want me to do?
 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. " Proverbs 31:8
 "He will rescue the poor when they cry to Him;he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and needy, and he will rescue them. " Psalm 72:12-13 
 Ok, so how do I translate that into my life, my current circumstances, my now? PRAYER....Oh gosh have I prayed. Those verses are challenging, I'll be honest they scared the heck out of me. I dream big, my imagination had a field day, my vision was going GLOBAL !
 "Be still and know that I am God ". Quiet my mind and listen, not as easy as it sounds when you are me but being obedient pays off........
 Sitting talking over coffee....yes another one......with a girlfriend who had recently started meeting with us at Sistas, we both felt impressed to share our vision. He always brings someone across your path at exactly the right time, His time. You guessed it, He had been speaking to both of us about the same thing........"Putting Feet on Faith" and so....."SistasInAction" was birthed.
 Yesterday we successfully hosted our very first event "HIGH TEA FOR HER". SistasInArms has aligned with "Laras House" a safe and nurturing environment for young mums to be who are at risk. We have committed to provide these young girls, who often arrive with nothing, Grocery start up bags, Personal Pamper Paks, Bumper Baby Bags & New Mum Bags. At the heart of every woman is  the inate need to nurture and given the opportunity her heart will lead the way. We asked all of our guests to bring items from the lists that we provided and the response and generosity that enshued has been astounding. Sometimes we need to take that first small step, get things started, step out in faith. He dosen't ask us to do what is in anothers hand but what is in ours.  Thank goodness for that because my hand is pretty full. Sistas uniting and working together can achieve, each with their special role to play, amazing things.
 Our vision now, is to facilitate "Putting Feet on Faith" for our Sistas locally. I need to keep my feet on the ground for the time being, global will have to wait for His timing, I'm being still and not jumping ahead. The aim is to network with local womens ministries. SistasInAction will do the footwork, planning and executing of events calling on our wider network to support functions. 
 Ambitious?  You bet, Impossible? Not with God, and not with other crazy Sistas who are willing to listen to His voice and step out in faith.
 Lxx
SistasInArms - You can find us on fb   & @  http://sistasinarms.ning.com 
 
  

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tall & Strong

Well it's been quite some time since I have posted a blog. I've been missing in action, the fog has cleared, well not exactly, I think I've just emerged at the other side. Let me tell you, it was a thick, dense fog, all consuming for way too long. You know the type, every which way you look...fog... seemingly no light just that haziness that causes you to strain your eyes. The storm that caused me to go M.I.A has since dissapated, rumblings still persist and thats definately a story for another time but as always there is a lesson learnt and wisdom gained thanks to " He makes all things work together for good " So heres my take on the little slice of wisdom recently added to my life journey. No doubt He's tried to teach me this on numerous occasions, but the pennies finally dropped.

Sixteen years ago when we moved into our house, there was not a tree to be seen in our subdivision. Along with the majority of other fellow home builders we embarked upon a tree planting frenzy in the hope of giving our suburban lifestyle a touch of  " country ". Our little corner of the world also backs onto wetlands teeming with birdlife, an oasis really.
 Amongst our green thumbed efforts was a small tubestock gum tree, I actually thought it was dead, but we planted it anyway in the hope that it might revive and grow tall and strong as its little tag of information indicated it should.
 At first it grew slowly and many of the other trees planted near by overtook it in height and it seemed to be dwarfed by their rapid growth. Many storms have passed through, destroying alot of our little gum trees fast growing neighbours. It too was tossed about, and more than once we thought we'd lost it as well. Each new season it sheds its old bark to reveal a new and stronger trunk.
 Now, standing tall and strong at the bottom of our yard is our gum tree. Its leaves are glossy and profuse, birds anually nest and take haven in its sturdy branches, when the storms pass through  it is steadfast because our little gum tree has tapped into the source......its roots have grounded deep into the water it was planted by.
 Little gum trees progress has been slow and often seemingly not at all, but when its roots finally connected to the life source,it grew and grew and continues to grow, storm and drought no longer a threat, it can withstand the elements because its planted firm and strong. 
 I'm alot like little gum tree. My progress has been slow and arduous, I've been tossed about by the storms of life, at times getting lost at sea. I 've been planted by the water but I haven't allowed my roots to really go deep enough to withstand the storm.... until now. The old trust issue and casting of burdens rears its ugly head.  Do I have faith enough to trust Him with my stuff, the really hard stuff? Well I'm still alive, I've survived the recent onslaught and it wasn't in my strength but His. He is faithful and I'm finally one believing to be one of  "they ".
Lxx
     " They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. "  Jeremiah 17:8 NIV