Sunrise

The gentle awakening. A little nudge to the brain. "time we both got up." Says the sun.

Opening my eyes blearily, I begin to realise the gradual changes in the light,
as colours appear across the sky.
Blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, all merging together.
They are enhanced by the dark, majestic eucalyptus,
and the soft ground with the dew still upon it.

The colours of the clouds alter to sliver grey and the sky grows increasingly blue.
The sun begins to warm the earth,
I become more aware of my surroundings.
I listen as all of creation rejoices at the new day.
At this moment I smile, watching my dog's exaltation as she bounds around,
pausing to sniff each smell that is of interest to her, relishing her freedom.

I thank my heavenly Father for the peace I experience at this time.
Here in this place.
In the dawning of the day.

"This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it"
Psalm 118:24

To my sister, who challenges me with love.

Comprehension

People are afraid of what they do not understand.

Some even avoid the unknown-

People that look and act differently to what they consider 'normal'

Music, listening to other languages, music, cultures, and accents and pronunciations, 

that they cannot understand, and so don't begin to make the attempt. 

Some time ago I became aware that I did this too. 

I then set myself a challenge to try the things that scared me. 

Try new things, talking to people different from me, 

embracing and acknowledging new ideas. 

I joined a Gaelic Choir, began to learn sign language and 

had more in-depth conversations with my sister (a Geologist). 

Doing these things has taught me that not understanding something 
can in fact be invigorating. 

There are two reactions- to wonder, say this is amazing, yet then just walk away.

Or to admire and to get inspired to discover more

about the astounding world we live in.

I once did only the former, now I rejoice in continuously doing the latter. 

Because I believe that we need to do a little of each, a little salt, a little pepper. 

We must investigate to marvel; to become lost in our admiration of, 

what I consider to be, God's intriguing and intricate creation.  

To rejoice in every sensation, uncovering each pattern within.

Now I challenge you readers, grow with me as human beings. 

As a tree sprouting new leaves from its nodes,

letting them develop into leaves, and from leaves to form branches. 

Go on... try something new, do something that scares you, allow yourselves to 

look beyond your own personal understanding. It may just be worth it.

Perhaps together we can create something unique.  

Diversity might then cease to make us tremble. 

Be brave... share with me in my delight. 

Emotions

There are times when I’ve yearned for my emotions to simply cease.

But what would that look like? After contemplating the question, I resolved that if we eradicated all feelings… grief, loneliness, comfort, jealously, satisfaction, affection, joy, hatred, compassion, envy, anxiety, dispiar, anger, shame, joy…

Leaving them all behind would destroy our motivation, empathy and sense of purpose.

We need to feel. If we became entirely apathetic we could not feel for others. Never having experienced, and therefore not able to understand, where the other person is and how they are feeling.

It is deeply encouraging to me to know that Jesus knew how painful it can be to live in this world
- but he came regardless.

He came so that we might not endure the estrangement, but the adoption.

So that we may know the happiness amongst the grief. The colour against the black.

For what we did not earn he gave in abundance. He gave his grace. 

A treasure that will never spoil or fade.

Now when emotions make strong attempts to overwhelm me, I will recall him who triumphs.

I will put on the armour of God as I prepare for battle. As I march out surrounded by other Christians, I will remember that I do not struggle alone. With the support of my brothers and sisters, I am not alone. None of us are, God is with us…  Always.

Teamwork

I love to work.

Realising that I have unique skills,

strengths and capabilities.

Realising that I work with others,

learning to apprehend their skills,

strengths and capabilities.

Rejoicing in the ways which we use these as a team.

Taking a step back to admire the times when we weave,

as dancers, keeping a careful eye on each other,

 anticipating needs and actions

and responding to these with sensitivity.

There is indeed beauty in a job well done.

As health care workers the music never stops.

There is always a need to perform.

It means that someone must remain upon the floor.

Therefore, it is necessary for us to keep watch for each team member.

Pulling each other up gently, yet firmly.

Granting each other time to rest and recuperate. 

So that members can accomplish steps smoothly,

receiving compassionate support when we stumble, so that we do not fall.

Having the time and energy, diligence and determination to do well.

If we continue in our vigilance we can be observed to be upright.

Let us be consistent in holding fast together, moving as one.

Without this there is no team.

A strong team is a joy to watch and to be included in.  

Christmas Creates Community

Community is formed in small groups,
all celebrating together.
Christmas community lasts a month.

Community is enhanced during Christmas.
Christians gather to remember that Christ came into the world
to bring them into God's family.

No matter who you are, or why and how you celebrate it.
Christmas creates community.

For Christians the community lasts.
It does not fade when the festivities are over.
For we are celebrating God adopting us into his family,
by sending his son so that we might call him father.
We have accepted his invitation and been welcomed into his home.

Like Sheep 

“All we like sheep have gone astray. Each turning to his own way. But the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” Isaiah 53:6

“You Lord are my shepherd, I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I will not be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod makes me feel safe. You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. You honour me as your guest, and you fill my cup until it overflows. Your kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life, and I will live forever in your house, Lord.” Psalm 23

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15

The Bible talks about Christians, (we that trust and know Jesus as our shepherd), to be like sheep. The world tends to think that we follow blindly, ignorantly, without a thought or a doubt. But this simply isn’t true.  We do doubt. Each time we wander and lose our way our shepherd seeks us out. He embraces with joy, bringing back to him, and placing our feet back upon the path.  

The world questions us as we travel, “Why do you want to return? How can you be certain that he is guiding you on the road you want to go? Why do you love and trust him? Is it all worth it?”

My answer is that he laid his life down for me. Everyday he demonstrates his love for me. He knows me inside and out… and yet still he cares for me. I trust him to always have my back. He knows the plans he has for me and he works for my good. He created me, knitting me together in my mother’s womb. He knows me, what behind me and what is to come. My shepherd promises to remain by me whatever challenges may confront me. 

“But how do you know this? Why do you just assume? Where is the evidence that God (if he even exists) will keep his promises? Is God as great as you believe he is? Isn’t the gospel too good to be true? The world contradicts. 

You see, I know that God keeps his promises. He has done so again and again. He promised that Jesus would come and redeem us, bringing us back to the God who invites us to call him “Abba Father”, just as he does.

The only thing that makes me special and privileged. The only way I can have this hope and assurance is this; that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me. I don’t deserve it. I didn’t have to work for it. I only had to accept it.

Thankyou my Father in Heaven. May I never want to stop serving you, praising your name, being part of your family, your child, and your daughter.  

Time

Everything takes time.
Time to heal.
Time to mend.
Time to feel.

Everything takes time.
Time to process.
Time to appreciate.
Time to comprehend.

Everything takes time.
Time to develop.
Time to reflect.
Time to grow.

Without time we shatter.
Without time we fail to comprehend.
Without time are stunted.

Embrace time with gratitude.
For everyone needs time.