All The Fun Of The Fair!

I am very blessed with my family and it is great that we are fortunate to all live close by each other. Once a year in the summer holidays we enjoy an outing to the sea side and the fun fair. Yesterday was the day. Different plans had to be made because of the rain and special people were missing, however we made it to the fun fair, well two fun fairs, following four very excited children! And maybe one slightly excited teenager?!?!

We got wristbands for the cousins and a few tokens for the grown-ups who had to accompany the children on some of the rides!

We enjoyed the evening, rushing from ride to ride. There was some disappointment from not quite being tall enough...yet! But more enjoyment, many faces of wonder and smiles of achievement from going on the BIG rides!

We walked past the biggest, most thrilling ride - the one that takes you upside down, spins you round and completely lifts you out of your seat. Having been on it once before, I foolishly said, I love that one. My neice then suggests that we might like to go on it together! I reply that I can't as I have not got any tokens. My sister says, I have - use these ones!

I dither. My sensible head says NO! I can't do it, I'm nearly 40! I can't do it, I'm scared! However, at the same time, my not so sensible head says, You go girl! Do it - it will be amazing. You might not get the chance again.

So my sensible head lost and I went on the ride. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I think the whole of the fun fair heard my screams and when it finished I thanked my neice for taking me on the ride. 

I was so glad I did not talk myself out of it or give in to being scared. I had no idea how I would feel hanging 20 metres up in the air but I did not let the unknown stop me. In truth it felt exhilarating, my screams were with excitement, it was great to share the thrill with my neice and the view, even though upside down, was fantastic. 

How often do I miss such opportunities because I stick with the known, with what is safe because I am too scared to take a step in a different direction? 

How thankful was I that my sister gave me the tokens so I could appreciate the experience of the ride? 

Often I feel prompted to take a step in an unknown direction - to make a decision differently to how I have made it so many times before and like the ride, it has led to great blessings. It is not always instant like the thrill of the ride, but persevering in those unknown steps is leading to a better view. 

When the challenge comes to take those unknown steps I hope I am bold enough to not listen as I try to talk myself out of it, because as I take those unknown steps, and as you might take them also, there are...

...blessings of joy

...blessings of true relationships

...blessings of new views

                                             ...for us all to share in. 

The Better Choice

Last October when I watched 'The Croods' for the first time, the opening lines from Eep really touched me, especially the line, 'A hope that things will be better today than they were yesterday.' Over this past year, there have been many nights when I have thanked God for getting me to the end of the day and been hopeful that tomorrow would be a better day.

Would I, if it had been possible, avoided the day that I had just journeyed? I don't know? I know I would rather not face the pain and the hurt and the disappointment but on the flip side, I'm thankful for the precious moments I share with my children, my family and my friends and I'm thankful for the things I am learning about myself. Also, I know that if I went back over that day, there would be at least one blessing to be thankful for.

When I get up in the morning I have no idea what is going to come my way that day. I might plan to do certain things or go out to a particular place but really who knows what might happen? What I do know is that it is up to me how I respond to the different things that come my way. Things might happen that are not my choice but it is my choice how I react. I cannot and must not blame anyone else for the choices I make.

I make that choice and it might be that I react in the heat of the moment or it might be that I consider long and hard how I should respond. However the choice is made, it is my choice - no one else can be held responsible for the choices I make.

If I am honest, I make wrong choices and sometimes respond to things in the wrong way and because I get it wrong, I know I cannot criticise or judge others for the decisions and choices they make.
I suppose what I am trying to say is, that it is my choice as to whether 'things will be better today than they were yesterday'. I can make the more valuable choice to learn from the things I got wrong yesterday and use that experience to make today better.

It's a big ask to make the better choice and it is hard work but when you succeed it is so worthwhile in so many ways - ways that we may not even realise.

With every sun comes a new day and the opportunity to walk good steps, to make meaningful choices whatever that new day may bring.

I can also, if I choose, walk into that new day in the confidence that I am not alone and that I never will be. I can hold on to the One who has already walked my new day and I can listen for the whisper of His direction and pause to consider His guidance and unfailing love which helps me to make the better choice.

'Whether you turn to the right or to the left, 

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 

"This is the way; walk in it."'

Isaiah 30:21 (New International Version)

Do I Need To?

A few months ago I felt challenged to have a look at myself and the way I was living each new day. 
I don't think I was an out and out baddy but there were things I was doing that weren't great. 
I was looking inwards at my needs and what I wanted. I wasn't looking to those closest to me and seeing what they wanted. 
Life often leads us to believe it is about me, me, ME! But I felt challenged that I should be doing each new day differently. Maybe it is an upside down way of thinking but I have been learning to look to the needs of those closest to me. 

Often one of the children say to me, "Mummy can you come and do this?" My reply was often, "No because I need to do this!" 
Do I need to? 
Can it wait? 
Does it actually need to be done?

Probably not! Or at least it could wait because what could be more precious than spending a moment with one of the children, sharing a memory? 

I can also do this for others too, sharing moments with friends and families that then becomes memories to cherish. 
Or helping someone out just because I can because the 'something else' can wait. 

It's taking time, practise and a different way of thinking. I'm still learning and there are days when I still get it oh so wrong but I'm thankful for a God who is a God of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances, the God of the unlimited chances. He doesn't give up on me. 

Some days...

Lately there have been some days when it would have been easier to stay in bed rather than face what the day might throw in my direction.

There have been days when I have got out of bed, got ready, made the children's lunches and then thought, instead of facing this new day, I'm going back to bed!

With every sun comes a new day and every new day I have made the better choice and chosen to face the day. I have then got to the end of the day, thankful that I have made it and thankful that this new day brought a smile, a happy moment, the sound of crazy laughter, the sharing of one good thing we have done, a hand to hold and a hug to be shared.

How amazing that even in life's lowest times there are glimpses of SO many blessings. When life hurts and is messy and mucky, God is faithful. He knows how to comfort us, He guides us and places wonderful people in our lives - just at the right moment.
In the chaos - be still and see how God blesses and provides.

With every sun comes a new day - it might not be the brightest day but there will be moments of beauty.

In making the better choice, I have made a better day...

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. 

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

Psalm 23 (New International Version)

Shared Moments

Earlier today I sat and watched my children playing and making new friends. There were no barriers or mindsets that got in the way. There was just acceptance.

If only I could be like that and not worry what I think people are thinking...because really I have no idea what is on their minds.

What if when I meet up with someone I was to accept things at face value rather than looking for hidden meanings or trying to read between the lines.

The children play, chat, have fun, make up games and simply share a moment of each other's lives...

What if I started each new day looking for those encounters with the people I meet? Simply enjoying the planned meetings with people and seeing it as a privilege to share that moment of that person's life.

Then looking for the blessing of a new encounter...looking to that shared moment as a chance to give something to someone else.

Watching the children challenged me. Do I limit shared moments because I come with so many expectations? If I had the courage to change my mindset so I become like my children and approach these encounters with no expectations I believe these shared moments would be something like this...

...a time to encourage, to build, and to uplift
...an opportunity to love others as we would want to be loved ourselves
...a chance to value a person and to see them as the wonderful creation that they are
...an investment in a relationship that may lead to many blessings through shared moments.

It will require me to be bold and brave. It will take practise as it means I have to let go of my wants, wishes and desires and put someone else's first...but I know it will be worth it as I saw that in my children's faces today.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

John 15:12 (New International Version)

Waiting To Reach Down

I have just been to see the new Avengers film – it was great! I enjoy getting into the storyline and getting to know the characters, trying to decide whether they are goodies or baddies! The graphics are amazing and have somewhat improved since the days of watching The Incredible Hulk on a Saturday tea time.

The battle scenes are so real and effective that you almost feel you are there fighting with them. I know I winced more than once as Captain America’s shield took out the enemy and when it got tough for the Avengers, I was willing them on to keep going and not give up. 

Each of the Avengers has a quality, a strength that they bring to the team and together they save the day. 

Watching the film and seeing the Avengers in battle as they fight for the greater good gives me a picture of what God is like. When I need God's help, I can call out to Him and straight away He responds - the Avengers also had a link to each other and, without giving the film away, Iron Man was able to call on Thor exactly when he needed him. Yet, it is even better with God because He is all of those qualities (and more) in One. 

"I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. … He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet… He soared on the wings of the wind... Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them…He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters." 

Psalm 18:6-16 (New International Version)

I think it is amazing that God wants to reach down and rescue me. I can almost feel the power with which He does it and I can almost see it as I saw people being rescued in the film. How precious must I be to God...must you be to God...if He will move the heavens just so He can reach down and take hold of us? He is just waiting for us to call.

Don't Look Down...Look Up!

What do I see when I look down? My feet!

If I keep my head down and just look at my feet, my view is blinkered. I will only see where my feet are going. I miss seeing where I could be taken if I looked up!

What do I see when I look up...?
...sunshine and blue skies
...a child's smiling face
...a hand held out to help
...a heart to hold me

I look up and I see BLESSINGS!

If I keep my focus downward I will, without a doubt, miss out on so many blessings. Yet if I look up, without a doubt, it will only take a moment to see so many blessings.

With every sun comes a new day, and with that same certainty I can say that with every new day come new blessings. If I am looking down at my feet I will only see my feet and where they are taking me. I will miss out on what the new day brings.
Lifting my head to look up will show me where I could be taken, it will show me the wonder of a new day.
If I look up I will see the good God has for me. I will see all that I have been blessed with. I will see new opportunities to share the blessings that I have. I will see a brighter day.

"I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever."

Psalm 121 v 1-2 & 7-8 (New Living Translation)