My Mission Statement

A few months ago I revised my mission statement.  I originally wrote it  in January 2000 after reading Stephen Covey’s Book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”

“Acknowledging that I am a special and unique creation of God, made with purpose and endowed with many special gifts, my mission is to realize my full potential and to use my gifts for the enabling and building up of others.

My most important “Other” is my husband. With him I will build up a strong, loving relationship, striving to strengthen and encourage him and to make him supremely happy. We will have fun together and make happy memories, remembering that we will not always be together.

My children will also not be with me for long. I will enjoy them, delighting in the unique characters God has given them, building strong relationships and happy memories, and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Friends are important to me. I regard people as more important than things or tasks. Listening is more important than talking. When I do talk, may it be more uplifting than tearing down. I shall value my friends and work towards inspiring and enabling them.

I believe words are powerful.  With my words, spoken and written, I shall endeavour to bring encouragement, support and strength to those I encounter, like water quietly seeping into the earth and refreshing flowers.  This applies to my blogs, my books, letters, e mails and even comments on the internet.

I believe in and admire truth, honour, courage, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, patience and self control and will do my best to incorporate them into my life. However, the overriding principle must be love.

I have invited Jesus Christ into my life. He is my final authority, Lord and guide. The bible is my handbook on right living.

I realize that other people will not have my mission, nor my values, but I accept that they, too, are created by God for a purpose.”

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Short meditation on Psalm 8

O Lord, my Lord,

How majestic is your name in all the earth.

You have communicated your essence through your Son, Jesus Christ.

When I consider my body, which You have created, my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my senses to know the wonder of Your creation,

when I remember the miracle of child birth, the awe of watching a helpless bundle of humanity grow into a wonderful work of art which You have designed,

Who am I that You set Your love on me? Who is my family that You care for us?

You have designed me and planned me before the beginning of creation. You have given me the parents and circumstances that have made me who I am. You chose my country, my ethnicity, my social and economic standing.

Such things are too wonderful for me. You love me so much that you paid the ultimate price so that I may live. You long to be with me, for me to be with you. Forever.

O Lord, my Lord, how wonderful is your name in all the earth.

 

One Liner Wednesday

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on ones inmost being. (Ps 20:27)

I am trying to get back into blogging. I thought this was a way to ease back into the habit. I’ve linked this post to One Liner Wednesday by Linda G Hill.

Crying in my cappuccino

When I had placed my order, I took out my cell phone.

Today I treated myself to breakfast at Mugg and Bean after dropping my granddaughter at Brownies. Drinking my cappuccino, I decided to send a whats app to my youngest son. He left for Russia a week and a half ago.

It’s a great opportunity for him and I know that God has a wonderful plan for his life. When we Skyped last week he was happy, in a great apartment and very excited about the future.

Nevertheless, I found myself crying in my cappuccino as I sent the message. Two weeks ago, I would have invited him to join me. We often have breakfast together. It’s one of the things I shall miss.

Then I got to thinking.  How many other every day happenings will I miss? Ten pin bowling on a Tuesday? Having supper together? The help of a strong man when unpacking groceries or moving furniture? Somebody to fix recalcitrant electronic devices by being “Young at them?”

It made me realise again that I should enjoy life to the full everyday. Today’s everyday occurrences might become tomorrow’s poignant memories. Like taking my granddaughter to Brownies, helping my daughter with the three kids at the school Spring Festival, cooking soup for my wonderful husband.

I know I’m suffering from empty nest syndrome and it happens to all mothers everywhere and there will be times when I cry into my cappuccino. But meanwhile, let me enjoy the little things of life that make life good. Jesus said, “I have come to give you life and life  in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)  Let me not allow my life and the fullness of it to pass me by while I am too busy to notice the little things that might make me cry into my cappuccino in five year’s time.

 

 

 

 

 

What are we doing today, Dad?

I am working through the book “The workbook of Abiding in Christ” by Maxie Dunnam. Today’s quote that struck me was:

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a chidlike “What’s next, Papa?”

We live on the same property as our daughter and son-in-law and three grandchildren. The kids love the weekends when their Dad is home.  They love most of all to be with him,  helping him with the things he is involved with. If he’s feeding the birds, they want to come into the aviary with him, if he’s repairing something, they want to knock in a nail or two, hold his tools, whatever he gives them to do. If he needs to go shopping to buy more fish to replace the ones that died, or scoop out the baby fish before they become another fish’s lunch, they are there, asking questions, eager to be involved.

Imagine if my walk with my heavenly Father could be like that! “Hey Dad, what are we doing today?  Will you come with me to the places I need to be and the things I need to do? Can I help you with what you are doing? I might not be able to fix something but I can hold nails! Pleeease.” Imagine how exciting life could be!.

 

 

Flash fiction

As an experiment I’m posting a story on my blog.

Windows

300 words

I flop down in the train compartment, grateful that it’s empty. I am pooped! At 65 I no longer have the energy I need for a morning in the city. I close my eyes.

“Hello. What’s your name?”

Where did he come from? I open one eye a slit. A freckle faced boy of about eight is sitting opposite me.

I sigh. Should I pretend to be asleep? I open my eyes reluctantly. “You can call me Granny.” I don’t know where that comes from. It’s not even technically true. My only grandchild died in a car accident eight years ago when my daughter Helen, her husband, Nick, and baby Sebastian were all killed in a head on collision.

I feel the familiar tightening of my throat.

“Aren’t you a bit young to be travelling on the train by yourself?” Really, some parents these days! Anything can happen on a train.

“My Mom doesn’t know I’m here.” He lowers his voice and gives me a conspiratorial grin.

“Are you running away?” I hope my voice doesn’t betray my agitation. I reach into my bag for my cell phone. I need to send a message.

“No. I just want to visit my Granny. She lives in another place.” He looks out the window wistfully.

I must keep him with me until we get to Irene station. I smile. “Tell me about yourself.” I fold my hands in my lap and give him my full attention. “What do you like doing?”

His blue eyes light up. “I love climbing trees and playing soccer with Dad and helping Mom bake brownies -”

A new voice cuts in. I gasp with recognition. “Sebastian, how many times have I told you not to climb through the windows!”

I hear a window shut. I am alone.

 

Easter message

There’s a place in God’s heart that only you can fill.

(Maxie Dunnam)

Wishing all my friends a blessed Easter.

Soapy Exit

 

When I poured shampoo into the kitchen sink, the squid blew bubbles. By the time the foam cleared, he was gone. I never saw him again.

I am trying to do two challenges with this post. The first is Grammar Ghoul Press’ Shapefitting challenge where we are challenged to write a story in 26 words including the words “kitchen”,”squid” and “shampoo.”

The next is Linda G Hill’s One liner Wednesday. I hope neither of the challenge hosts objects to my trying to kill two birds with one stone (or two squids with one wash).