I’ve never considered myself our kids entertainment agent but having a small person without in-house playmates is very different to to previous crew of 6 who always had someone to play or hang out with. The idea of this chart is to help Miss T stay busy through the holidays, not rely on media, have a storehouse of ideas, keep experimenting and have fun in a way I’ve semi-planned for her – though she still has many many choices.
Continue reading “Busy bodies – kids holiday challenges”Proclaiming His Death – to whom?
I got curious about the word ‘proclaim’ when it leapt out at me during a Communion service some years ago so I did some thinking and searching… This section was where my attention was grabbed:
Continue reading “Proclaiming His Death – to whom?”“That” woman!
The woman described in Proverbs 31 brings anything and everything between motivation and interest to sighs and groans of loathing. This will depend on the age and season of the woman and her experience of marriage and family – but mainly it will depend on the way she has perceived the passage to have been taught. This little offering of mine is to share some thoughts as I see the chapter in question…
Continue reading ““That” woman!”The difference a day makes
On this night ten years ago we waited with anxious hearts for this one more night which was to make the difference between teams of doctors and nurses working to save – or not – the life of our first little (tiny) grandbaby. 22 weeks and 6 days gestation – certain death… 23 weeks gestation – full support and a chance at life.
Continue reading “The difference a day makes”In the silence
Something that gives me great hulking bunches of joy is when it is clear a child understands for a bright dazzling moment – how very much you love them.
Continue reading “In the silence”The box is too small
I remember learning in school that there were five senses. Just lately I’ve read a couple of things suggesting that there are way MORE than five. The five we know… sight, touch, taste, smell, hearing…
Continue reading “The box is too small”Borders
Borders.
We all have borders in our lives.
Some are bad and need to be broken down.
Some are good – God given even – and exactly as they need to be.
For the season that they will be.
It is *these of which I speak.
The *God sent ones.
40 something
I have a speculation regarding the number 40 in the New Testament… My speculation is this.
Continue reading “40 something”Missing the signs
You know that scene in Bruce Almighty where Bruce is driving along asking God for a sign and there are all these neon and traffic signs along the road telling him what he needs to know but he doesn’t recognise the signs as imminently relevant to him? I often think of that scene… And today for extra reason.
Today I did something that reaches something close to the pinnacle of ditzyest kinds of things I’ve ever done and all the way along there were signs that I missed.
I had a folder of papers to take miss 13 to the bank and afterward went to the ladies room. I put it down thinking “must not forget. Must not forget”. And forgot.
Sign number one. Nothing in my hands when leaving.
Went to KMart where we were served by one of Miss 13’s friends who told us she had heard our name over the PA system. It made no sense and I didn’t try to figure it out.
Sign number two.
Got in car looking forward to the rest of our day, speaking of having been to the bank.
Didn’t notice absent folder. Sign number three.
Spent our day and got a call later at Harbour Town letting me know someone had found the folder and handed it in.
Sign number four which changes tack. The first three signs are either signs that Heather is a forgetful ditz. Or that my subconscious was trying to tell me something. Or that God was whispering but my head was too busy to pay attention.
Sign four certainly got it. God was paying attention where I wasn’t and enabled this folder to be safe.
Sign five – Mr 17 was nearby and able to go and collect it.
Sign six – Miss R at the desk is known to our family 🙂 so I felt as though the folder had been is super special safe keeping all day.
Sign seven is that Heather needs to pay closer attention to the things she does and/or make some new strategies to catch herself on future possible similar disasters.
Sign eight is that Someone Else was paying attention better than I was myself. He doesn’t always save us from the consequences of our own creation but today for me , He did.
And I am so very grateful.
Mirroring
“Sowing judgement for judgement” is a phrase a friend used in conversation many years ago. It’s one I’ve thought of a great many times since then – when I either watch or find myself in situations where that is the temptation. You know the ones… Where instead of going a distance beside the other, to discover what they think and why, we arc against something and often never are aware that all we’ve done is mirror judgement back. Love when what seems like a throwaway comment impacts both thought and action so deeply.