Rest

Prince of Peace – (Hillsong United)

My heart of stone; clouds raging deep within
The Prince of Peace came bursting through the wind
The violent sky held its breath
And in Your light I found rest
Tearing through the night, riding on the storm
Staring down the fight, my eyes found Yours
Shining like the sun, striding through my fear
The Prince of Peace met me there
You heard my prayer
Hope like the sun; light piercing through the dark
The Prince of Peace came, broke into my heart
The violent cross, the empty grave
And in Your light I found grace
Tearing through the night, riding on the storm
Staring down the fight, my eyes found Yours
Shining like the sun, striding through my fear
The Prince of Peace met me there
You’re always there
You’ve been hearing my prayer
Your love…
 …………………………………………..
I’ve spent the morning sitting on the patio, enjoying the greenery, the birdsong and the intermittent rain. I’ve also been listening to this song, and others, from an album called “Of Dirt and Grace”.
This week has been up and down… today is lovely. I have been contemplating all sorts of things lately… why does ill health get me down so much? Of course the feelings of pain, and nausea, and exhaustion are hard to deal with. On good days I can do well, look forward… on bad days I can tend to forget there ever were good days.
I think I’ve come to the conclusion that the main, basic, underlying fear is the fear of death, and leaving things undone (young(ish) family, other goals). Whether the likelihood of dying is there (it’s not, at the moment, for me 🙂 ), illness can make you think along those lines… which is why I’ve been resting in songs such as this one. Rest is not necessarily the absence of storms, but finding a place of stillness in the middle of the storm.
Even when I forget, or can’t see through the clouds, I am held. Securely. With Grace and Love.
It’s time to take a new breath.
Published in: on September 9, 2016 at 1:49 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

When Morning Comes

I have had frequent bouts of “not feeling good” lately – nothing major, but wearing. Some days are OK, some are not, and some are very much not. Saturday was horrible, so yesterday was a recovery day.
…but – today! Today was lovely! I wasn’t leaping about or running marathons, but I’ve had three meals today and been able to do lessons with the boys as well as other work. I’ve even been able to walk to the letterbox and back – twice! – today. Comfortably watching Antiques Roadshow at the moment, with butterscotch mousse. Nice! 🙂

Yesterday at church we sang “Great is Thy Faithfulness” – haven’t sung that for a while, and was able to belt it out as a praise for the day and a promise for the morrow (apologies to anyone around me who might have been deafened slightly…)
I’ve also found this song, which I’ve been listening to when I can –

Here’s to tomorrow!

Published in: on August 1, 2016 at 6:35 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

Song For The Night

Published in: on July 29, 2016 at 9:58 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

I Am Loved

Wandering through YouTube again…
This resonates tonight.

Published in: on July 23, 2016 at 8:59 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

No Longer

Bits and pieces from this song have been bouncing round my head since we sang it on Sunday…
I’m still battling with a chest infection, and sometimes I feel like throwing up my hands at the world and its foibles. I’ll just step out of the world for a few minutes and listen to this again…

Published in: on June 29, 2016 at 5:09 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

Tea For A Reason

Just sent off the money raised at an afternoon tea at my place a couple of weekends ago for a great organisation – go have a look here – Mercy Ships  provide free health care for people who would not be able to have access to health care otherwise. It’s really worth having a look at the site to see what they do! The afternoon tea was specifically to raise money for the women’s health programme, particularly issues relating to pregnancy and childbirth.

It was a good afternoon – we watched a DVD about the work of the Africa Mercy, then talked about it all, while eating biscuits and drinking tea in pretty teacups…

IMG_1195

🙂

We have friends on the Africa Mercy – if you want to read a more personal view, here’s their blog –
Rothwell Recap
Enjoy!

Published in: on June 7, 2016 at 8:30 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , ,

Being Mum

Today is Mothers’ Day in Australia… I’ve had a lovely day. Hubby and I have both been ill in bed through the week, but were able to get to church today. My sweet beans gave me pressies, and a hand drawn card from little Bean. I would have liked to post a photo of them both, since I’m only Mum because of them 🙂 Neither of them are too happy about public photos though… (and I forgot to ask before they went to bed!)

Here’s a photo of my gifts..

IMG_1155

Both boys got me crosswords, since that’s what I asked for. The chocolate came later (picked up on the way home from church). The rubies tote bag was a gift for all the women who came to church today, and we picked up custard tarts because I wanted to watch “As Time Goes By” while we ate lunch. I love being Mum!

To finish – here’s a song we heard today, originally sung by a very famous Mother…

Published in: on May 8, 2016 at 10:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

Flourish

So, the deadlines are looming and the assessments need to be done…
I’m enjoying the study, but finding it a bit harder to understand and especially to remember. Added to that, I have flashes of doubt and a bit of panic over where I’m headed after study, and whether I’ll cope when I get there. I will, of course, but I tend not to do well with the unknown.
Also, it’s an emotional (hormonal) day – cue tears over puppies, rainbows… anything, really.
I needed a cup of tea this morning. And a chocolate. But back to the tea. My favourite mug wasn’t available, so I dug around for another. I found one that I received as a gift a few years back at our church’s women’s group.

IMG_1127

IMG_1128

(That’s my kettle behind it, not a giant marshmallow.)
If you can’t read that, it says “Sister, you are free… free to flourish.”
Back to study now…
Flourishing.
With chocolate.

Published in: on April 1, 2016 at 12:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , ,

He Is Risen!

Happy Easter!

I was looking for some poems to put up here, but couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I googled Easter songs…
Here’s what I found 🙂

Published in: on March 27, 2016 at 7:55 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

Come To The Fountain

Published in: on March 25, 2016 at 7:56 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,