For the first time since having kids (they are now 3), we actually managed to stay up until midnight on Old Years eve and celebrate the entry into the New Year. We enjoyed an amazing fireworks display that took place on Sandbaai beach, all from the comfort of our makeshift beds which we set up on the deck, ready for our family night under the stars. And then straight after the happy / happy’s it was ‘goodnight’s’ and off to sleep!!! Stages of life they say! Fortunately, our girls slept through all the noise making the whole outdoor experience quite exceptional. There is really nothing like sleeping outside and hearing the sound of the crashing waves, the Christmas beetles singing and the birds chirping at first light.
A new day – a new year. I think that most of us were very, very happy to say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in a New Year that would bring renewed hope and strength. A new year to dream new dreams, to be present and enjoy special moments and to keep our eyes open for exciting and fulfilling opportunities. It’s almost like having a whole, new clean slate – to start filling up however we wish.
My first blessing, was that I managed to sit alone for at least 15 minutes on this beautiful first day of 2015, and journal with God. This has been a very special and very real way for me to pray to the Lord and almost ‘document’ His responses. It is not a freaky thing, its just writing those thoughts that come into my head as I relax in the presence of God. And yet, almost every time, I seem to hear something profound, that will set me on course, with the most positive attitude, for the day ahead. I really encourage you to try journaling yourself. It is amazing how, once you have written down those things that are pressing on your heart and mind, once they are brought into the light, they no longer have a hold on you and your thoughts. Just in doing that, you will find freedom. And then, when God speaks, and reveals his truths – well, that’s another story all together – Its like a switch of light and love and hope is turned on and all you need to do is embrace the truth of it – because its written in black and white (or whatever colour you are writing with) and you can keep reading it, over and over, to stay encouraged and strong.
So, back to my jounaling session … I have a thing, in that each year, I ask God to give me a special word, that I can use as my banner of purpose and hope and encouragement for that year. Again, its not a big heavy, its just a ‘word’ that reminds me that God is talking to me! Last year my word was ‘TRUST’ and looking back on the year, I can see exactly why it was that. This year, I got two words – and not my usual ‘make me feel happy and inspired’ type words – they were ‘Justice and Mercy’ which certainly does feel rather “heavy”. But when I pondered it, I began to feel totally inspired. Simon, the pastor I always refer to, was a man who understood Mercy like no-one else I have ever known. I felt that Lord saying he would like me to carry on this legacy. But in order to do so, I would need to read and study and pray and begin to truly understand Gods perfect Justice and Infinite mercy. So, I have task ahead of me, but I am excited. I am by no means a reader or a scholar, but I am looking forward to sinking my teeth into something meaty.
And then, as life goes, I forgot about this mission – these two words – almost as quickly as they were given to me. So easily distracted. But, the very next day, the Lord sent another gently reminder.
It was one of our ‘spoil’ nights, when Clayton’s mom had the girls and we could do whatever we liked – usually that meant dinner and movie, but we were completely uninspired by what was showing at the movies. So we settled for dinner and a DVD. Usually I enjoy something funny and lighthearted, and Clayton loves anything action-packed, so he suggested we choose between Noah (which he had already seen but knew I would enjoy) and some other end-of-the-world white knuckle-type movie. Finally, we picked the latter, because it was our night, not mine, paid for it and headed off for our yummy dinner at Rock Sushi and Thai – one of our favorite restaurants leaves us feelings more than satisfied every single time.
And then it was back home for some couch and DVD time. But to our great surprise, we removed the DVD from the box only to find Noah! Even I felt a little let down at time, but in hindsight, I see now that it was the Lords orchestrated plan that I watched the movie – a perfect story of Gods Justice and Mercy towards humankind. If that is not a prompting, then I don’t know what it. I had goosebumps when I told Clayton about my ‘two word’ mandate and how we mysteriously ended up with the ‘wrong’ DVD which actually turned out the be the ‘right’ DVD in Gods economy.
A reminder that God is always in control and is very involved in every aspect of our lives – big or small – He’s with us through it all.