One Year On ……

Sue’s Views
Yes! It has been one year since we moved into our new home! Much has taken place since then. It looks much more ‘lived in’ now ….. with pictures on the walls ….. fences up and gardens in ….. and everything in its place. But the best memories of the past year have been the people who have visited ….. meals around the table ….. family get togethers ….. and new friends made. Thanks to all who have helped make it go from being a house to a home! And we’re loving it!

Opportunity

Sue’s Views
Opportunity often comes in disguise. It may take the form of a closed door ….. a disappointment ….. a negative report. These situations can either cause us to give up ….. or to dig deeper in order to find another way. The big picture usually becomes clearer only on reflection. We discover that the ‘plan B’ ….. though inconvenient at the time ….. was actually much better.
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Two Important Phrases

Sue’s Views
Is there someone you would rather not face? Someone who has hurt you ….. or is it someone you have mistreated and feel ashamed? Two of the main pillars of the Gospel are forgiveness and repentance. We all need to forgive those who have wronged us. It sets us free and allows God to deal with the perpetrator. And we all need to acknowledge our own wrongdoing to others. Don’t let pride stand in your way! Humility will open the door for the relationship to be reconciled. ‘I’m sorry!’ ….. and ‘I forgive you’ ….. are two phrases to keep at the front of our minds.
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The Most Fruitful Season

Sue’s Views
These trees may look lifeless and not very attractive ….. but you wait a few more months and you’ll be amazed by their abundant life and beauty! There are seasons in life when we feel dry ….. when not much seems to be happening. But so much is happening on the inside! In fact ….. you could say this is the most fruitful season. It’s when the fruit is being produced. You can’t see it yet ….. but it’s coming!
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Communication

Sue’s Views
Communication is becoming a lost art. Texting ….. Messaging ….. Snapchatting ….. are convenient for some things. Sometimes a ‘yup’ or a ‘K’ is enough. But true communication still requires face to face time. It’s not only our words that express our thoughts and feelings. It’s also our tone and our facial expressions. It’s about listening and being heard. It’s not easy in our fast paced lifestyle ….. but it’s essential to healthy relationships. Who are you going to practice on this week?
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A New Beginning

Sue’s Views
When everything you hoped for is stripped away ….. there are two ways you can look at it. 1. It’s over ….. 2. It’s a new beginning. It may be the end of a chapter but it’s not the end of the story. The oak tree looses its foliage in order to reproduce. It may look like it’s over ….. but it is teeming with new life and opportunity. So are you!
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Half Time!

Sue’s Views
Well ….. half the year has passed! How is yours going? Before we allow the second half to carry us away ….. it might be a good time to pause and revisit those goals we set at the beginning of the year. You know ….. all those things we vowed we would do better ….. or stop doing! Don’t feel condemned! God is a God of new beginnings. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking ” I’ve messed up so I may as well give up!” No way! Acknowledge where you’re at and start afresh. The game is won or lost in the second half!
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Love Is In The Air!

Sue’s Views
Love is in the air! Love is not always about the feelings! Often ….. it’s looking up to heaven and wondering ‘who is this person beside me?’ ….. while that person beside you has no idea what you’re thinking. But ….. it’s about sticking together in the good times …..  and the not so good. It’s about agreeing to disagree at times. It’s about having each other’s back ….. and balancing each other out. That’s true love!
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The Best Is Yet To Come

Sue’s Views
These rose hips remind me that sometimes we are of more use after our ‘best’ season ….. once the beauty, fragrance and abundance has left us perhaps feeling bare ….. disappointed ….. and unfruitful. But what’s left is full of goodness ….. healing ….. and promise of more fruit to come. Don’t be discouraged! You are just the medicine someone needs today!
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God’s Plan

Sue’s Views
What does God’s plan for our lives look like? Probably very different to what we’d expect! I would have chosen a nice straight path with few obstacles. But ….. in all honesty ….. it probably looks more like this picture! Winding roads ….. traffic ….. and mountains! Part of the reason for that is the choices I make. I don’t always follow the A road! Therefore ….. in His mercy ….. God has to open up the B road! Then there are other peoples choices. They don’t always follow plan A either and their choices may clash with mine. But I also believe that God is more interested in my character than in my comfort. It’s the winding roads that develop prudence ….. the traffic patience ….. and the mountains strength and perseverance. His ways are higher than mine!
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