Lasting Love

by SistasInArms on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 5:16pm

As I was out walking today I passed by a lovely older couple, I'm guessing they were in their late 70's, early 80's strolling slowly along. My heart skipped a beat, a feeling of longing passed over me as I soaked in the picture of these strangers. Grey hair, slightly stooped in posture, each stride small and measured, but that's not what captured my heart..........Hands clasped tightly as these two lovers gazed into one anothers eyes, totally immersed in the moment, oblivious to me as I passed by. How blessed I was to have witnessed such a scene of devotion and deep love, it was just so obvious, I could feel it.
 Straight away my thoughts then wandered to my husband and I. Would we be so lucky as to grow old together, to still be passionately in love in our twilight years? Will he still be enamoured with me and I with him?
 I didn't ponder too long on this thought.........I already knew the answer........yes.
 Love would never be in doubt, it's the growing old bit that we have no control over. My heart tells me we"ll grow old gracefully together, but what if ? Again my heart skipped a beat........." I have loved ( and will love ) you with an everlasting love ".
 A peace settled softly over me as I continued to walk and meditate upon that promise. I will always be loved, no matter where my life's journey takes me.
 How beautiful that my God wants me to know this, and He wants you to know this too, precious Sistas. This promise is for each and every one of His daughters. Reach out, grasp hold, and take these words, store them in your heart, draw on them in times of pain and trial that they may bring you comfort and peace.
  You are loved with an everlasting love
Lxx

BOOK CHAT"- Literary Interlude

by SistasInArms on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 5:12pm

Have got to share this one. THE BEST book I've read to date on child rearing.
TOE TO TOE WITH YOUR TEEN
A Guide To Successfully Parenting A Defiant
Teen Without Giving Up Or Giving In
-JIMMY MYERS, Ph.D

This is a must read, for all parents, even if you are not blessed with defiant kids. I've read a mountain of books on child rearing and discipline, often stopping half way through in discouragement. Jimmy Myers gives practical advice on handling situations with teens that most, if not all of us will encounter to some degree. It's real, it's raw, and it's honest.
Often we start out reading expecting to find answers and formulas to our problems, which, lets be honest, we see as our children's behaviour, well you are in for a big surprise, and you may already know this deep down. It's more about us than them, the way we handle and react to behaviours that disappoint us. There's no airy fairy advice in this book, it's solid and straight to the point with plenty of example case studies from Jimmys' years of working with kids and their parents.
 I recommend you read this one, it's easy to read, you won't be disappointed.
Lxx

I Miss You Nana

I Miss You Nana

by SistasInArms on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 10:46am

It's been 3 years since the closing of my Nanas chapter. This morning, as I sorted through some things I found a poem she had written for me when I was just 15. She always knew where my heart was, always had words of wisdom to share at just the right time.
                    "JUST FIFTEEN"
Wondering and dreaming
Where am I going?
Wanting to say but not really knowing
Yesterday so sure-everything right
Now it's today-where is the light?
Yesterday gone-gone out of sight
Not yet a woman-no longer a child
Feelings inside me bewildered and wild
Am I loved, do I care
Should I trust that they are there?
Yes I must-they are there!
Those who love me and advise
Yet I wonder-are they wise?
I am me, they are not!
Can they know how things can be-
It's my life, can't I be free?
Why can't they see-why can't they see?
And yet I know at just fifteen-
I have not been, I have not seen
God given life ahead of me-
Why can't I see-why can't I see?
If I should pause for just a while
Will God look down with a gentle smile
Upon His loved bewildered child-
Take my hand and day by day
Hold it tight and show the way-
That along lifes road, He will always be
If I let Him walk with me.

 I miss her beautiful hugs, her loving smile, her gentle voice, the delight in her face when I visited, the way she found beauty in the simple things, her laugh, her wisdom and most of all her love.
   Till we meet again, Nana
                                        Your Grandaughter, Leeanne

Connections

" There is such incredible power to open and close the hearts of those  you encounter just by deliberately choosing to connect. " -Lisa Bevere

To connect or to make a connection, 1. to link together 2. to associate mentally 3. to constitute a link between, 2. a relationship or association 4. somebody connected to one by friendship.

How are you at making connections? Do you look for opportunities to connect,or do you shy away from connecting with others ? Do you maintain the connections you have made or do you seem to be accumulating a lot of loose connections that function temporarily ?

 Some of us are afraid to connect with others due to past disappointments and hurt, others are great at making the initial connection but fall short in the maintenance department and some are just too busy. I think we can all put our hand up to at least one of these. So where does that leave us? Well, I guess we can either choose to use these as excuses as to why we have failed connections or..... look at ourselves openly and honestly examining where we may have fallen short in the nurture of our friendships.

 Friendships are a part of our life that need to be intentionally fostered, not always with large lashings of time, because that's something we can all be in short supply of, but simple things, a text message, a note in the mail,a phone call, even 1/2 hour for a quick coffee.

Friendships are not seasonal unless you choose them to be. We've all experienced and probably been guilty of "we'll have to get together","catch up for a coffee soon" e.t.c and months go by. With the pace of life accelerating Sistas are falling through the cracks, out of site, out of mind. When was the last time the thought of someone you hadn't seen for ages popped into your head and more importantly...did you act upon it ?

 "Friendships are vital. They can be an avenue of hope when there is none. They can be a place of inspiration when you are depleted of all energy. They can provide laughter just when you need a smile, and a prayer when you need a miracle. C'mon, girls. We need each other. Let's get good at building friendships !! " Holly Wagnersums it up quite nicely.

  I'm choosing to open the hearts of those I encounter, fix up the loose connections and endeavoring to plug up the cracks ! Want to join me ??

Lxx

TRUE BEAUTY

TRUE BEAUTY........What lies are our girls being fed ?
by Leeanne Reeves
What is REAL beauty ? Who defines REAL beauty ? Where are our girls sourcing their perception of REAL beauty? Are they being misled by what society the media and those in positions of influence portray as REAL?
 As a mum of 4 teenage girls I am more than aware of the pressures and influences our girls are bombarded with on a daily basis. I see and experience the doubt and stress, the wounding of self esteem, the questioning of their worth all tied to the way they look. Am I wearing the right clothes ? Does my hair look ok ? Do I have pimples ? My eyes are the wrong colour ! Am I thin enough ? I'm too fat ! The list is unbelievable and what's worse is that the validation of these perceived flaws is given by their peers, friends who struggle daily with the same issues. In a desperate attempt to feel good about themselves they are resorting to pointing out one anothers flaws.
 Eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia are on the rise and the girls ( and boys ) suffering are getting younger. What does this say about our society and what we deem as important ? Our children, like never before are exposed from an alarmingly young age through all forms of media and advertising, to an unrealistic standard of beauty, visual beauty. Our girls are sexualized from an alarmingly young age, just take a look at the underwear section at the shops for what they call "tweens", a burgeoning market priming our girls to think "sexy". What was once seen as inappropriate to screen at certain times on television no longer seems to be an issue, everywhere you look our kids are being inundated with lies and fantasy. They are being fed an unrealistic view of what beauty really is. They expect the FANTASY and are chasing after it.
 What can we do to combat the negative influences our kids are exposed to ? We can't lock them away from the world, it's impossible to shelter them from everything undesirable and they need to learn to make positive and healthy choices on their own.
 A healthy self esteem stems from knowing who you are, being comfortable in your own skin and understanding the meaning of TRUE beauty. Some are blessed with a visual beauty and that's ok but we can all be RADIANT- vividly bright and shining expressing love, happiness and health. I believe this is the essence of TRUE beauty, lasting and genuine, evident in old age when time has altered our visual appearance.
 As parents all we can really endeavor to do is to instill an understanding of what RADIANT BEAUTY is in our children every day. To positively reinforce attributes other than physical appearance and point them to the One who created them perfectly and wondrously.
 We can also have a voice collectively by speaking out against the negative influences where and whenever we are presented with the opportunity to do so. It takes courage to be bold........But what is at stake? I'd say its worth the effort !
Lxx

A BYGONE YEAR

It's been over a year since I have posted anything here on My Thoughts, the time seems to have flown and yet as I sit here typing I almost feel a stranger. I'm another year older and another year wiser...one would hope.
 The journey over the last 12months, actually 2years, has been one filled with just about every emotion I can think of, anger, distress, helplessness, anguish, hurt, disappointment, loss, doubt, loneliness and failure. How's that for a depressing list! And yes you can throw a dose of depression in there as well. 
 The most recent season of my life is definitely sitting on the top of the list as the most challenging chapter yet, one that was shaping up to be an extended version with no end in sight. I really didn't think I could see or believe that there was an end and that's because there isn't! I've finally come to the point where I've realised the road doesn't end, it's just that there is a bend ahead and I can't see around it. My strength and resilience were completely depleted and I didn't grasp and hang on to the One who would have carried me, will carry me and is carrying me.
 At some point in the near future I will write about the events that have unfolded to date, but at this moment I don't feel that I can appropriately express in word the experiences that we have endured. I am now in the process of rebuilding my faith, choosing to jettison the negative and that which threatens to drag me under, and grasp hold tightly of all that is good, positive, and life building. It is a daily conscious decision and one way I have found to accomplish this goal is in encouraging others. The blessing I have received through the simple act of lifting up others in word has been astounding. It is my heart to nurture, and in doing so I have received the same in return. God is gently drawing me back, restoring that which I thought was lost. The story is far from over and some days I wonder how we will ever weather this storm, but seeing around the corner is not so much of an issue now, tackling each new day with a positive attitude is the focus and learning to trust in God again believing that all things work together for good.
Lxx
I'd love to see you visit my fb page SistasInArms. It's a place where we endeavor to encourage, brighten your day and perhaps bring a smile to your face. Hope to see you there ! :)

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