On the way…

Sue’s Views

No matter what stage you are at in life ….. you have an important part to play. The sunflower is a great illustration. We all love the beauty and freshness of the young bright yellow flowers! They bring joy and vitality just being around them. But their most productive season is when they age! They don’t look so good ….. and they can no longer lift their heads to the sun ….. but this is the time they have the most to give. This is when they are harvested for their seeds and oil which live on to be used for many other products. The glorious seeds of lessons learned from experience and time can be of benefit when shared with others. You may not have the energy you once had ….. but the treasures within you are priceless!

Sue’s Views 

We can learn so much from those who have gone before us. Their successes help us know what to do and how to live well. Their failures warn us what not to do to avoid living badly. We so often see the same cycles being repeated in families. If you recognise patterns of addiction ….. illness ….. violence ….. divorce ….. in your family lines ….. you can break the cycle. By acknowledging it ….. asking forgiveness ….. and making a u turn ….. with God’s help you can begin a new legacy of blessing that will affect the next thousand generations. Now that’s a life well lived!

Sue’s Views 

The Bible is not a book of fairy tales. It’s a book of true stories about real people who experienced everyday life. It’s about sibling rivalry ….. rebellious kids ….. unfair employers ….. poverty ….. incest ….. adultery.  You name it ….. it’s in there! Somehow ….. many have the idea that God is some kind of magician with a magic wand who is there to make all the bad stuff go away …..and give us what we want. The Bible is full of miracles ….. some of which are instant such as the healing of the blind, deaf and lame. But many miracles are only realised in hindsight. Once we are on the other side of the Red Sea ….. after we step out of the fiery furnace ….. once we reach the other side of the lake during a storm. The actual journey is not that much fun! God doesn’t promise to take us out of the situation ….. but He does promise to walk through it with us. Note in the following scripture He says ‘when’ not ‘if’. Your fiery trial which seems so unbearable right now ….. will one day be your personal testimony to a miracle working God!

“When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God,

    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” Isaiah 43:2

Sue’s Views. 

We can always expect God to be great and do great things ….. that’s who He is! But we sometimes have to lower our expectations of people. They will let us down! In order to avoid living a life of resentment and offence ….. remember God is in control. Many things in life are painful ….. but purposeful! Look for God’s purpose and it will give meaning to your pain! 

Sue’s Views 

In the ‘Sound of Music’ ….. Maria got the children to think of their favourite things when they were afraid. It got them from being scared of a thunderstorm to singing and dancing for joy! It was good advice ….. because it changed their focus. Whatever we focus on will be magnified. When we focus on how big our problems are ….. they get bigger. When we focus on hurts from the past ….. they go deeper. By focussing on things that bring us joy ….. the chemistry in our body changes! We create feel good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Make sure you have a list of things at your disposal that bring you joy!

Sue’s Views 

We can’t all be perfect! These carrots are branded ‘The Odd Bunch’ ….. and I guess that pretty much sums us up! We come in all shapes and sizes ….. and we are all a little quirky in one way or another. How do you measure perfection anyway? When is it good enough? There has only been one person who is perfect ….. and He changed places with me so that I can be perfectly acceptable to God. Isn’t that amazing?  I can assure you that these carrots taste just as good as ones that are ‘perfectly shaped’!

Sue’s views 

Well a third of the year has passed! How is yours going so far? How many of your new year ‘plans’ have worked out? The truth is ….. much of life just happens! We are driven by the needs and demands of others around us and our plans go out the window. However ….. these words came to mind yesterday.  “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” Proverbs 19:21 The best way to start each day is to commit it to the Lord! His plan always works and is for our highest good. Things we see as interruptions or frustrations could be His opportunities and new doors opening!

Sue’s Views

I love the way palm trees grow so tall and straight even though they are subject to some of the worst conditions. Having lived in the tropics ….. I’ve seen them almost bent double by cyclones ….. but somehow they continue to grow upwards. I see two reasons for their success ….. strong roots and flexibility. Their roots go down deep and keep them grounded. They sway with the wind instead of allowing it to break them. Wonderful examples for us!

Sue’s Views

Depression and anxiety are modern day plagues ….. robbing us of our peace and joy. The enemy of our soul ….. Satan ….. wants to destroy us! He will find a weak spot ….. a past hurt ….. a negative word spoken ….. a disappointment ….. and reinforce it! If someone once told you you are worthless ….. he will remind you of that constantly. The more you dwell on it ….. the bigger and more real it seems. King David gives us an antidote to depression. He spoke to his soul! In other words ….. he gave himself a good talking to. ‘Why are you cast down, o my soul?’ He reminded himself of all the good things God had done in the past. Once he shifted the focus off his sadness and fear and onto God ….. he started to feel better. Hope and faith started to arise! It’s good to talk to a friend or counsellor who can help you distinguish the lies from the truth. But God is the best Counsellor! He not only knows you thoroughly ….. but He also knows the plans He has for you. Believe me ….. they are wonderful!

Sue’s Views

As a new school term starts today ….. we pray for all our students and educators. For students to have greater understanding of the world around them ….. where they fit into it ….. and how they can make it a better place. For teachers to have a greater passion and creativity for their role and patience and understanding  towards their students. In a huge way ….. you are helping the Master Potter mould the clay into something amazing! Be encouraged!