Grateful

Well, it's been a while since my last post. Missed a week in there. This weekend has been great catching up a little with family I don't always spend a lot of time with.

Isn't it interesting what different things people notice about you? And how it is so often closely associated with what has changed since the last time they saw you. Now, this makes sense, but it also really highlights how infrequently you do see some people. One of my nieces whom I saw this weekend noticed my blue hair. I could have sworn that I had seen her at least once in the last nine months, but apparently, no.

 

Time really slips away from us sometimes. But at the same time I am sometimes grateful for those long absences as these people can point out things about yourself that have changed that you or others close to you might not have noticed.

We are always changing in some degree, often to our circumstances. I know at the moment I am changing in more ways than one but I cannot pin point what those changes are. Perhaps someone else I see one day might be able to point them out to me.

This is just one thing I am grateful for from those around me. What are you grateful for from those around you?

Slowing Down

Whoops.. I've missed a couple entries. Oh well, we cannot change what is already past. If we could, would we ever turn to God? Or just leave it to ourselves to fix everything up for ourselves?

Anyway, am spending my time split almost evenly between country and city. It is great but it is also strange to feel so at home that you belong completely there in both places. Still don't have a job but am still getting more and more to do. It's nice to always have something to do, somewhere to go, someone to see again. In this way everything is speeding up and go go go, to keep up and not miss anything.

Am also finding that as I settle more into something I begin to slow down. Or rather, I feel like I'm slowing down even if I am in fact going the same speed. It's one of those strange phenomenons we all notice and have encountered with time and the way it passes. The way things creep up on us as if time is passing so fast and yet the beginning of the year was, well, forever ago.

Am working with kids in school again. On a voluntary basis once a week at the moment. While I still say I'm not a teacher I cannot deny that I enjoy working with kids and showing them new things. I just keep wondering what God has in store.. but only time will tell that, and Gods time not our own.

Patience. It really is a gift. And it pays off in the long run. Just think of a cocoon and how long that caterpillar needs to wait. It can't get all agitated and impatient and anxious but has to just trust, rest, and wait. And look how it is rewarded at the end! Now, don't read too much into that, it's just an example. Kind of where my thoughts are at the moment, caught up in time. Especially with all that has been happening around the world recently.

So, my question to you. If you could have one do-over, what would it be?

God Bless

Real Fairytale

I found myself in a predicament today where my car ran out of fuel and broke down at an intersection in the suburbs. After thinking for a little bit I decided  not to call the RAA as it would be faster just to get some more fuel myself. So I ran across the road and asked someone for help but they were unable and pointed me up the road. On my way up an officer stopped me to find out what was happening and then called for the police to help with the build up of traffic before dropping me off a little further up the road to find some help. Quite kind of him. I asked a second, third, and fourth person for help however none were able. Finally I came to a workshop and explained my predicament yet again and an older man there said that he would take the time off to give me a hand.

In the brief time I had getting to know this character I was encouraged so much. What has happened to such hospitality and generosity? How many would be willing to drop what they are doing to help out another in this day and age where time means everything?

A larrikin who lightens the mood and makes you laugh. A godly man who's had his lot in life. A family man who speaks warmly and lovingly of his mother and mother-in-law. An individual with his own character and a different hat for each day of the week.. Monday, Tuesday, ..., Sunday, and Someday - in case he is not sure which day it is. A man who asks for nothing in return and offers to do more than that which is asked. In his own words he is the knight or prince in shining armour come to sweep the damsel in distress up onto his galloping horse.

I told him that it was my adventure for the day but I didn't mean the whole thing, I meant meeting him. It was a humble reminder of what it means to live out our lives for God. How such a small action on our behalf can make such a huge difference to another. While I was only with him for 15-20 minutes I will probably never forget the kindly gentleman who helped me out this morning, although he says he is no gentleman.. 'I'm too old to be a gentleman' ..I would beg to differ.

This I pray. That young people today would continue to turn to and learn from the older generation. That we may be able to live our lives for him in faithful service and proclamation. That we may always remember the small things do matter. That we may take the time out and give a helping hand when it's needed and take thanks and criticism humbly when it's given. That we may not be afraid to be ourselves or be above asking for help when we need it. That others may see God shining through us even from a brief encounter. And ultimately that Jesus is our prince in shining armour, always there to pick us up.