The Good Changes

Perhaps I am a person of contradictions but here is the thing – I like doing new things but I am not a huge fan of change. I like planning for things in advance and having certainty, and yet, on the other hand, I also like learning and doing new things. When I go to new restaurants, I am that person who will want to try a new dish; I must admit it does not always turn out well – at least I know what not to order the next timeJ. I love travelling, you can ask me to go to a country I have never been to, and I will pack up, go and settle in quite nicely, I have done it several times, and I have always seen it as having an adventure.

At the beginning of the year, my swimming school (yes I am learning to swim to those who don't know) told me that I was going to change my swimming instructor because my current one then would no longer be available. I was sad because I liked my swimming instructor – she was very patient with me, and I could not imagine anyone else being that patient. There was no avoiding it, the new instructor came, and the lessons had to go on. The first two or so lessons I struggled because I did not trust her yet and I was getting to know her. At some point, something happened, and we connected. I tell you my current instructor is even better than my first, not only is she very patient but she is also fun. We laugh a lot, and we have so much fun – I am always surprised at how fast the lessons go. The other day she sent me a sweet message telling me how well I was doing, that she was proud of me and enjoyed teaching me. I was floored by her message, and I could not agree more that I also enjoy having my lessons with her.

Not all change is negative; change can be good. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that to everything there is a season and time… When life’s season changes occur it can be scary or sad but if there is one thing which I am learning, even a seemingly bad season always turns out for good in the end. The Bible is on point when it says that all things work for good for those who love the Lord (Romans 8.28). Look at Joseph - being sold into slavery and being thrown into prison after a false accusations were terrible things to happen to him, BUT God turned those situations for good, he became the second most influential man in Egypt second only to Pharaoh. May God grant us the grace to trust Him with every change and situation which comes our way. He knows what He is doing; he has everything under control. He’s got this!

The Things I Did Not Know I Needed

Most of us, me included think that we know what is good for us and want we want, that is until that second when God shows us otherwise. There are those defining moments where you experience something and have that aha moment, realising that you didn’t even know you needed that thing. I had the opportunity to go on a business trip in a small town in Free State, right by the Lesotho border. It was early May, but when we arrived there, it was so cold. The lady in the lodge we stayed in (bless her heart,) switched on the electric blankets for us when we arrived. Till that point, I had never owned nor used an electric blanket before. I had always been sceptical about them because I didn’t think they were safe. That night in that small town I had one of the best sleep I have ever had on a cold day. The next morning I raved to my colleagues about how I was going to buy an electric blanket for the winter.

Life is also like that. We think that we know it all but do we? I cannot count the number of times when I felt I was happy and had all I needed. Then God would bring something my way, and I would realise I actually needed that thing but just didn’t know it. It is a privilege that we have a God who knows all our needs even before we do. If you make Him the driver of your life, you can be rest assured that you are taken care of and that at the right moment He will provide what you need. Imagine the advantages of having someone who sees ahead on your team (Revelation 1.8). It takes the worry out of you, and you don’t have to stress. I look forward to those aha moments; Lord keep them coming, your surprises are the best.

Keeping Your Head Above the Water

One of the things about me is that it is usually the very small things which get me. Someone might say something seemingly insignificant, but it can have a big impact on me. A quote or a few sentences in a book or a song can spark something huge in me. Some of my friends say that I have a weird taste in music and some always ask me where I get some of my ideas from because it is as if I live in another world. How can I put this? Usually, I am just being myself. To me it is normal, but I have come to realise that sometimes what I think is normal is not so to those around me.

Some time ago I was talking to my mentor, and I happened to mention that I am fascinated by Belgium because of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian detective character from Agatha Christie’s books. She remarked that it was so funny because most people usually talk about the Belgian chocolates or beer. It was only much later when I was replaying the conversation in my head when I realised something - I am a unique individual, and God made it that way for a reason. That revelation made me more appreciative of who I am as a person – the quirkiness, the things about me which many people do not get and so forth. It is all me, and yet the pressure is always there to conform. Sadly, there are instances where I have pretended to be something I am not, just so that I wouldn’t come across as weird.

I love what Psalm 139. 14 -16 says.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God saw me before I was born and every day of my life has already been recorded in His book. Think of it this way, if God the Most High made each of us different and unique, then surely it should be ok to be ourselves instead of trying to be other people. I know that it is easier said than done and there will possibly be times when the urge to conform will be strong but I know one thing for sure – I can always be myself with God. Come on nothing can be hidden from Him so really there is no point in pretendingJJ. I tell Him things I would never dare tell anyone and I know that it’s ok. Even when I mess up big time I know that He still loves me. Plus I know that he gets me, as in really get me even when no one else does.  Knowing this enables me to embrace my uniqueness more and more every day.

On the Grass Being Greener...

 A while ago a friend asked me to do a post on her blog. I wrote something but completely forgot to send it her way. I saw the post a few days ago in one of my folders and well...I thought why not.

As a little girl, I remember being absolutely crazy about Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Two of my favourite songs from that movie where Under the Sea and Part of your World – ironically both songs have a strong theme about the grass being greener on the other side. Picture this - Ariel sitting on a rock under the sea having daydreams of what life would be like if she were human? She was convinced that life would be better, something she later discovered was not necessarily so. I would be the first one to admit that I am a dreamer and like Ariel, I used to (and still do sometimes) have a tendency of dreaming and obsessing over things. I used to constantly day dream and obsess over things convinced that it would be better say, to have what someone has. I learned the hard way when fervent prayers for some of these things came to pass. Once I realised the pitfalls of such prayers, I stopped making them. As they say, one man’s meat is another’s poison, just because it working well for Jane doesn’t mean it will work for me. We are all unique, accepting that I learned, makes life a notch easier.

Yes, I believe that it is possible that the grass could be indeed greener on the other side but one of the questions I frequently ask my myself these days is – is it my kind of green? A wise woman once told me that one of the best recipes to happiness is to embrace who you are and be the best version of yourself.  She was onto something. I have struggled many times about embracing who I am and where I am at on my way to where I am going. Maybe if I got married, maybe if I had children, maybe if I got a better job, maybe if … the list is endless but will it ever be enough? How much better is it really going to be if those things come to pass? Alas, it is like chasing a mirage. Getting to the seeming green side will never be enough because there will always be a greener looking side. 

Contentment, trusting in God, faith and oh yes patience – please don’t start me on the subject this could be a whole post altogether J – are important ingredients to achieving sanity in this crazy world which is always telling us it is better to be like this, to have this and to do this. We are all different, have  different purposes in life so back to my earlier assertion, maybe the question to ask is: is it my kind of green? As for me, I want to live a full life, I want my dreams to become a reality, but I want it to be to be in terms of it being my kind of green – a green that stems from trusting and walking with God. 

I love Him, Its that Simple

I love April. It is one of my favorite months because Easter my favorite holiday usually falls in that month. Easter is special right...I am always reminded about God's deep and unconditional love for me and the beautiful gift of grace which came with his death on the cross. I love Him so much and I feel blessed to know Him and that He is my God. Either way, when the chips are down or up, I know  I can always count on Him. He gives meaning to my life, take Him out of the equation and I would be lost. Thankfully, that will never happen.

So I have two songs which have been on repeat on my playlist of late. These songs take the words out of my mouth and are currently acting as my prayers as I sing along.

Jekalyn Carr with You are Bigger. This young woman is amazing!!!She started singing when she was 13 and she is only 19 now.

Dr. Tumi with Without You. Can you believe that he is also a medical doctor. I wouldn't have imagined that a medical doctor could sing so beautifully... but here he is.

I smitten by these two songs. What do you think?

And We Begin Again

I cannot believe that we are in a new year already. Time is flying and my head is spinning. I am very excited though because I have this very strong feeling that great things are going to happen this year. I just know it.

The festive season was hectic - I visited my parents, was a bridesmaid in a wedding and even managed to squeeze in one more holiday in Namibia. I know I know - it means more post building up, I already owe two posts on my trips to Thira (Santorini) and England. I promise I will get round to it 😄😄😄.

Picture from here

Anyway, something really awesome happened to me today and it made my day. I went to the tax office to finish off filing my taxes for last year. I got there at around 14.15 and they close at 16.00 hrs. The guy who was assigning which query was which told me blankly that I should leave because with the way things were looking I was highly unlikely to be served. I looked around and saw what he meant,the place was packed. Nonetheless, I persisted and told him that I would take my chances. He shook his head and issued me with a ticket. I took a seat in the packed waiting room  and prepared myself  for what most likely was going to be waiting in vain. I took out a copy of Joseph Prince's Unmerited Favor , the book which I am currently reading, made myself comfy and started reading.

I am really enjoying this book because it is opening up my eyes to so many things. For sure Joseph Prince is challenging me to be more daring and purposeful with my faith. One of the things he talks about in the chapter I was reading  at the time of my waiting, was practicing the presence of God all the time in all circumstances. He gives an example of David who was known for singing praises and hymns to God in all circumstance. As I was reading I briefly thought to myself, 'I am reading a book on favor, what if somehow I don't wait in vain and I actually get served today.' However, I quickly dismissed the thought because I could see how packed the room was and the ticket numbers for my query were hardly moving. 

The miracle happened just after 3. I watched in awe as ticket number after ticket number under my particular query ended up as abandoned tickets - the ticket number owners were no where to be found. In a space of 15 minutes my ticket number appeared on the screen, I couldn't believe it- I was going to be served  after all - with about 40 minutes to spare before closing time. 

I just couldn't get my mind around  what had happened so as the officer who assisted me was just finishing off, I mentioned that I was so glad that there had been so many abandoned tickets  otherwise I would  not have been served. He agreed and said that actually, he wasn't supposed to be doing my kind of queries but he had decided to volunteer to help otherwise, he pointed out I would have had to come back another day. Then I remembered something I had been reading in Unmerited Favor - that if God cares enough to keep track of the hairs on our heads, there is nothing too small which He cannot do for us. God it seems, didn't want me to wait in vain and come back another day to start a whole new queue. He stirred things up just for me.

Its been hours since the incident but I am still feeling grateful and humbled. God is so good. If this is what favor can do I definitely want more of it in my life. 

Okay ..,. I am going back to my book Unmerited Favor. I highly recommend it, its a good read because it brings about revelations about things we know about as Christians but never really ponder on, understand or put into action. I love it when things like what happened to me today happen - thank you Lord, I know you have my back.

He Did It!

I have been reading the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel and I have been awed again and again by David. When it came to God, he did not play. He loved God – no doubt about that. Through the good times and the not so good times His love for God always shone through. For instance, in 2 Samuel 5:20 after winning a battle he had been fighting against the Philistines he exclaimed, ‘The LORD did it.’ That seemingly short and ordinary phrase got me. Here was a simple acknowledgement that God had brought him victory. It made me think of myself and how I usually act when something good happens to me. Am I quick to declare that my success was because of God or do I give myself the props and tell whoever will listen how hard I worked, the connections I used and the risk I took etc. Even after praying about something, begging and crying before God it is so easy to claim the victory as our own. We are quick to forget and put God in the background.

There is nothing wrong in boasting in the Lord – in fact it is a form of offering, praise and thanksgiving – which opens the door to even greater things (Paul and Silas can testify to the power of praise and worship: Acts 16. 23-30). Yep, let God be the first person you give the 1^st credit for your success – every time. I intend to, David’s good example really inspired me. 

Minding Your Own Business

David and Saul in the Bible couldn’t have been more different kings. Saul was the 1^st king of Israel and he was rejected by God because of his disobedience. Samuel asked him to wait for him so that they could sacrifice burnt offerings to the Lord together but because Saul became impatient he ended up not waiting for Samuel and he made the offering himself. This move cost him, because he lost the right of the continuation of the kingship in his family (1 Samuel 13:7 -14). David on the other hand was referred to as a ‘man after God’s heart’ (1 Sam 13:13) and a reading of the book of 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel reveals why. David strived to walked in obedience to God. For instance, even when he had the opportunities, he refused to kill Saul (who had made it his mission to kill David because he was jealous of him) and proclaimed he would not touch God’s anointed (1 Samuel 24 & 27). So faithful to his words was he that he was angry and killed the man who killed Saul calling him condemned because he had dared touch God’s anointed (2 Samuel 1:16).

But one thing which hit me right in the face was how both David and Saul were called to kingship. Both of them were busy living their lives, minding their own business that is. Saul was busy looking for and worrying about his father’s lost donkeys. When Samuel invited him to join him to the place of worship and spoke some positive words about his father’s house, he was surprised, confused (and probably annoyed too) and asked Samuel why he spoke to him in the way that he did when he was from the least tribe and the least clan in that tribe (1 Samuel 9: 18-21). As for David, when Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel in Jesse’s house he was not even present. He was out keeping his father’s sheep and he only came as an afterthought when Samuel asked if Jesse had any other sons after God revealed to him that none of the present sons was the chosen one (1 Samuel 16:11 -12). Imagine this, probably David actually had no idea what was happening at home – could there be any more minding your own business than that?

These two stories, of these two very different men remind me that sometimes the best of things happen to us when you are not looking, searching or trying. As God says in Jeremiah 29:11 He has plans for us, plans for wholeness, to give us a future and hope. We don’t always know these plans but when the time is right things will fall into place. I just love those instances when I am minding my own business and then something absolutely amazing happens to me. 

My One Thing

A few days ago I had a conversation with my friend Fay about singlehood and she was encouraging me not to lose hope. She gave me the scripture of Luke 18: 1-8 where Jesus told the parable about the persistent widow. I have always loved that parable and on many occasions that particular scripture has kept me going and I must admit pesistance in prayer has paid off. However, when it comes to being single and struggling with it I have found it hard to be consistently relentless. There are times when I feel hopeless and discouraged and I feel as if God is simply not hearing me and that I might as well accept that I am going to be single for life. Friends like Fay are a blessing because they remind me that giving up is not an option and that there is always hope.

Anyway, as with most single ladies I have a list of things that I would love to have in a husband. I know that people have different views on this and my view is that there is nothing wrong with having a list. Well, I am a dreamer and believe that anything is possible so I am not afarid to dream big and act outside the box. Having said that if some one where to ask me if I had to chose just 1 quality in my future spouse what would it be. The answer would be that I want my future spouse to be able to love me the way God does. I mean I have experienced the highest kind of love there is and I don't want to experience any less. Plus if he loves me the way God loves me then all other things like faithfulness, kindness, forgiving etc will be part of the package. Just my thoughts! That would be my one thing from my 'crazy' list (smiley face).

The First Time I ‘Met’ Kari

It was 2011, together with a couple of friends we decided to drive over to Watford where the Soul Survivor Festival was happening. The couple of hours we spent there were amazing and how I wished I had signed up for the whole conference and not just a day. Just before we left we stopped by the stalls, we wanted to buy a CD/s to listen to on the way home. There were so many to choose from and so many names I had never heard, it was hard to made a decision. Then my friend Cherie grabs this CD with this beautiful woman on the cover, takes a look at the song list and says, ‘Let’s take this one. I know the Revelation Song so she must be good.’ So we got the CD and what a good choice it was. We listened to the CD during the 2 hr drive from Watford to Andover, repeating our favorites several times. I fell in love with songs like, ‘Healer’, ‘My Beloved’, Sweep Me Away’, ‘No Sweeter Name’, Everyone Needs a Little’, ‘You are for Me’ – hey wait a minute – am I just about to list every song from the album? Since then I have been a fan of Kari Jobe and her music. She has a beautiful voice and sings from the soul. Her music leaves me with no doubt how much she loves Jesus.

The other day I saw the interview she and husband gave and one of the stories she told touched me and reminded me about God’s faithfulness even regarding the seemingly small things. Yes, indeed God is always listening and even when we have forgotten He doesn’t. So Kari shares the story of green eyes and how she always said she wanted to marry a man with green eyes. However, when she first got to know her husband, then just a friend, he had brown eyes. Let me not spoil the story – so I guess you have to listen and watch the clip to know what happened. But all I can say is that – her husband now has green eyes.

Gotta love how God works. 

The One That Challenged Me

I love writing stories. When I write I feel ...awesome and  myself. When I write I enter this amazing world where I am one with my characters. I have cried, laughed, celebrated and had many adventures through writing. Somehow I feel that I was born to be a writer. What that means I am still trying to figure it out. Anyways one of the things which I have tried to steer away from when writing my stories is weaving in my faith and beliefs too much. I have done so because I feel that people get put off when they read a story which talks too much about God, faith and like things. Yes, I have been a coward. Then I came across this book...

This book posed a challenge to me. This book has taught me that it is ok to write and include my beliefs and that doing so doesn't necessarily make stories boring. I like the way the authors had the main character Jane as a woman who loved God and even when she was at her lowest point she did not lose her faith but instead still confessed her confidence in God. She had just lost her job, been dumped by her boyfriend and the roof of her flat by some misfortune had caved in and she was temporaily homeless. Despite all this she had this to say  and I quote;
'He (God) has always been good to me. I have to trust Him even now that my life is in shambles. I have decided he's working on something big up there. I just don't know what it is yet.'

I enjoyed this book a lot. The way it was written - it wasn't too 'churchy' and yet it was clear the main character was a Christian, loved God and had faith in him without it being too much in your face. I made up my mind then and then that I was no longer going to restrain myself if when writing it was befitting to include my faith and believes to whatever extend befitting the story. I have just realized it is okay, there will people wo will still enjoy my stories as much as I enjoyed the Book of Jane. From now on I am just going to go with the flow of ideas. I am glad this is settled and I don't have to concern myself with the issue anymore.

Current Idée Fixe

This is my song of the moment. This song makes my heart fill up with love for Jesus. It makes me realize the depth of what He did for me on the cross. Happy Sunday! I love Him so much!

When A Little Craziness Is Required

Have you watched the movie War Room? I did, a few weeks ago and it revived me spiritually. I felt challenged and motivated.  Life is not walk in the park and I for one cannot imagine it without God. He is my hope and strength. During those dark times He is the light at the end of the tunnel, He keeps me going. I always know, that He is there somewhere and He will see me through. He is that faithful and He has proved it again and again.

There was a scene in the movie which spoke to me. Priscilla Shirer was praying and chasing the devil from her life, her house and her family. She opened the door stood on the veranda shouting at the devil asking him to go and never return. Yes, she was acting like a mad woman. She had had enough and she wanted a change in her life and she wasn't going to negotiate about it.

Sometimes, the only way to go is a little crazy. Have you ever been in that place where you were fed up, really fed up with a certain situation in your life? You got to that point where you told yourself enough is enough and you felt like if something didn't give you would loose your sanity? I have found that sometimes, acting crazy helps. Like that time I wrote a loaded letter to one Government Ministry where my application had been hanging for ages despite numerous follow ups. In my email I expressed my displeasure and told them I needed a yes or no answer so that I could move on with my life instead of  being in limbo. Or that time when I made that seemingly crazy decision to go back to my home country where the economy was not in a good place instead of staying in another more stable country? Sometimes, it is about taking a stand and going with your gut feeling and yes, it might be or seem crazy but I know that crazy can be good. After all, faith - walking in faith involves craziness. It doesn't always make sense and it is usually only in the after maths of a miracle and in looking back that one is awed by the craziness and tenacity they had. In the right situations a little craziness can go a long way.

A Blessed Weekend

Dr. Allan Bagg is one of my favorite preachers. Almost every morning when I am dressing up for work I watch his Wisdom for Life Programme. It was one of my desires to see him preaching live. I got the opportunity this past week and it was a real honor. I am grateful for opportunities like these.

A Picture of Love

I love this picture. It is one of my nephew (in the blue) and Junior the baby of one of my good friends (who is now a family friend). My sister had gone to visit our friend and the two babies were playing and then this happened, I am so glad she was just in time to capture the moment.

No one expresses love like children. Their love is so genuine and so pure - just like God's love. As we celebrate Christmas I cannot help but appreciate God's love for me and the whole human race. He loves us unconditionally and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice by giving up His Son to die for our liberation. Fully knowing that we were sinners and we would sin in the future He still went ahead so that we might fall under his grace and righteousness. I love this God of mine. He is the best. Thank you Lord for loving me with all my faults and shortcomings, there is no greater love than yours.

Daring to Ask

I love love the saying above, it summarizes what I have been thinking of lately. The other day I was just thinking to myself that from now on I am going to be more daring in my prayers. Extra ordinary things happen to those who are daring enough to ask, try and step forward.
God has been showing and proving to me that yes, He can do anything even that which seems out of reach in my eyes. He has been been reminding me that He is the Almighty and nothing is beyond Him. When you find yourself ticking things off that long list that you thought you were crazy when you sat down and wrote, you cannot help but be overwhelmed and admit that yes He meant it when He said 'I am the LORD God of all humanity. Nothing is too hard for me' Jeremiah 32:27.
No more holding back. Maybe just maybe that dream or desire might not be so outrageous after all.

Sprouting Seed

I came across this Mexican proverb and I couldnt help but marvel at its meaning. It made me think about Jesus. When he died and was buried on the cross darkness thought it had truimphed and that He was dead, buried and defeated. Little did the devil know that it was just the beginning of greater things - he didn't realise that Jesus was a seed who with His resurrection was going to spout with the most amazing results. His burial breathed forth an everlasting victory, a victory which man kind is privildged to partake of. I Iove this man of Nazareth. I celebrate Him this Easter time for all that He has done for me, all He is doing and all that He will continue to do for me.Watch out devil I am just like my Lord and Saviour - you might try to bury me but I am a seed, burying me will only make me sprout and grow into better things.

Idée Fixe of the Moment

A God who neither sleeps nor slumber... I can sleep peacefully knowing he is awake and has my back.

 

A God who has committed Himself to watching over me day and night... I can rest and not panic because in my going out and coming in He is with me through and through.

 

Psalm 121 - Good News Translation (GNT)

1 I look to the mountains;
where will my help come from?
² My help will come from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

³ He will not let you fall;
your protector is always awake.

⁴ The protector of Israel
never dozes or sleeps.
⁵ The Lord will guard you;
he is by your side to protect you.
⁶ The sun will not hurt you during the day,
nor the moon during the night.

⁷ The Lord will protect you from all danger;
he will keep you safe.
⁸ He will protect you as you come and go
now and forever. 

 

I simply cannot get enough of this scripture at the moment. It gives me so much hope, reassurance and comfort.

Looking Up Always

A rich man was standing on the balcony of his hotel room when he looked down and saw a beggar standing below. He took out his wallet and threw down a 1 dollar bill. When the beggar saw it he picked it up. This went on for quite a while with the rich man dropping down 1 dollar bills and the beggar picking up. What surprised the rich man was that, not once did the beggar look up to see where the money was coming from. Then the rich man had a thought, he filled a bucket with cold water, went back to the balcony and threw the water down at the beggar. At that the beggar looked up to see who had poured the water on him – angry of course.

May I not be one of those people who forget about God, ignoring or neglecting Him when the blessings are flowing and life is good. It shouldn’t take problems for me to look up to Him and acknowledge Him.  When it’s good and when its not- it doesn’t matter may I still look to Him.

This is a summarized version of the story that someone shared with us at church. I think it nicely summarizes how fickle we can be. Food for thought indeed.  

God's Cake

I received this forward from a friend which I found so interesting that I just had to share it here on my blog. I hope you find it as encouraging as a found it.

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this", or "Why did God have to do this to me”. Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter was telling her Mother how everything was going wrong...
She was failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend was moving away.  Meanwhile, her Mother was baking a cake and asked her daughter if she would like a snack. The daughter said,

"Absolutely Mom, I love your cakes." 

"Here, have some cooking oil," her mother offered. 

"Yuck" replied her daughter. 

"How about a couple raw eggs?"

"Gross, Mom!" 

"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" 

“Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replied: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way.

Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful! Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!