Grinning and Bearing it

I've recently been challenged to consider my response and attitude during times of wilderness in my life.  What is a wilderness? Well, I think it's a time when there may be something in your life that is difficult to bear and you feel tested in someway.  It could be something quite small or it could be much more significant.  There is an expectation that you will emerge from the wilderness a stronger person, and God has enabled you to grow spiritually.

Quite often, our experiences in the wilderness are painful - emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually.  We don't like to feel the pain and it's challenging to keep a positive attitude throughout.  However, I've reflected on one of the significant wildernesses and I have come to a realisation in my heart that God has an amazing plan.  The plans are so much bigger and awesome than we could ever imagine, and we can't even fathom some of the things on the plan.  We know that He is a God of Love, so we can walk through our wilderness with hope and faith for what is to come.

A friend asked me what's the difference between "Grinning and Bearing It" and "Walking Through the Wilderness With Faith".  My response was simple - "Grinning and Bearing it" implies an apathetic approach, a hopeless existence where we can see no positive outcome or growth.  Whereas when we walk with faith, we have strength not only to face the situation we are going through, but hope that will lead us through and enable us to persevere and press onto the amazing things that He has prepared for us ahead.

Seeing The Light

It seems strange to think that I have been on maternity leave for almost 11 months, and that our precious daughter is over 9 months old.  There has been so many wonderful experiences over this time and a new season is about to begin.  In just over a week I shall be returning to work - working 3 full days.

I am full of so many emotions it's hard to realise the truth of what is about to happen - how this routine that I've now become used to is going to change again: 1 tbsp of excitement; 1/2 tbsp nervousness; pinch of panic; 3 tsp apprehension; 1 tbsp joy; 4 tsp peace; and a splash of guilt.  What can I make with those ingredients.

I was praying with some friends at Mums Prayer this week and I saw an encouraging picture that I hope to reflect on when I'm back in the office.  In the picture I was aware of lots of light in the office... the ceiling lights, the sunlight beaming through the window (my desk is a window seat!), the illuminated buttons in the lifts, the display lights in the canteen for the food on offer.  So many lights - sometimes they seem to fade into the background and you only really notice them when they have stopped working or been turned off. 

It reminded me that when I am at work again, Jesus, the Light of the World will be with me throughout the whole day.  He will never give in to the darkness, He will always be showing the way.  So when I look at the lights, I can remind myself all the time that the Light of the World is shining for me.  What a lovely picture.

The Decanter

I was having a coaching session recently, and God gave me an amazing image of the partnership between JB and me.  We have been married for almost 13 years, and it was really uplifting to see this picture to realise the strength and deep commitment that we have as a married couple.

The picture was of a simple decanter, containing some quality red wine. 

Although this vessel had a simple form, it was filled with quality wine.

The quality of the wine improved while it was in the decanter, but it was soon poured out and shared with friends and family.

I was somewhat taken aback by this image, because it came to me at a time where I felt I was neglecting my role as a wife.  Although I love my husband very much, the recent arrival of our daughter, Sophie, had taken a lot of my attention and energy. 

I feel that God was reminding me that JB and I have a deep and loving connection, and that when we look to God, He will help us fill our marriage with quality "wine" that we can then feed on and share with our friends and family.

I love it when God breaks into a situation like this and provides us with reassurance that we're doing ok!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Welcome

It appears to be the norm these days to capture precious moments and memories in the form of a blog, and I had thought I would do one too... almost 2 years later, and I finally got round to putting the thought into action.


My hope for this blog is to create an account of the amazing adventures that God has in store for me and my family and to have a record of those moments to look back on and share with others who may not have been with us at the time...

So sit back and enjoy, and taste and see that the Lord is good :D