Excess Baggage

Right now I am a bit of bag lady.

I carry my handbag which is about as big and as heavy as a small rock {but has everything I need it in and more}, my laptop bag for work and a shoe/lunch bag or 'shunch' as I call it.

What is a shunch bag you ask? Well let me explain. I am a bit of a power walker and often I tend to leave an imprint of life where ever I go, often finding I have to reheel my shoes quite frequently. So in an attempt to protect my shoes, I either wear trainers or flats to do the daily commute and carry my work shoes. At the same time I also take my lunch from home and together they sit in the shunch bag.

Now carrying three bags isn't all that fun. Not only is it heavy, but it can start to become impractical. Have you ever tried to sit on a train with three bags on your lap! It's not fun for the person next to you, trust me!

In life we often carry about excess baggage. Extra baggage from our past lives, past regrets, past mistakes and failures. It weighs us down, it takes unnecessary space in our life and it is uncomfortable.

But we don't have to you know.

'Cast all your cares onto me', says the Lord. {1 Peter 5:7}

'Go, your past is forgiven'. {Matthew 9:2}

Isn't it good to know that you can let go off all your excess baggage. Your past IS forgiven. God has taken care of it.

You are set free.

Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

{Picture source}

Valentines Day is less than a week away - don’t forget to share your stories of love!

Living wisely

So often I do unwise things with a complete disregard for the future.

Like that extra snickers, I want it NOW, so I have it now but don't think about that time sometime in the future when my clothes won't fit and then I hate myself for it, wishing I never had it. Or the time when I was at university, I opened three student bank accounts to get the free gifts and ended up having three overdrafts, two of which I am still paying back today in some way or another {'fun' at the time - but so stupid when I think about it now. Don't do it!}

Psalm 90:12 tells us to use our time wisely as life is short. Yes we may live to 70/80, we may even live to over 100 but that it nothing compared to eternity. Wisdom helps us to number our days.

Remember back in school when you sat your exams. Your teacher would always tell you to use your time wisely. Meaning don't lose focus, get distracted or spend too long on certain questions, but spend the most time on the things that matter.

I can waste so much time on things that don't matter, petty things like worrying about what others think, materialism, stressing about things I can't change etc. When I should be focusing on the here and now and what I can do to make an impact TODAY.

Lord, help me to make every day count. Let me live it, like it's my last and to make use of every moment I have.

Help me to live wisely.

What poor choices have you made in life, that on reflection you wish you hadn't?

So how am I doing? {Goals - January}

So we're well into January and I thought I would give you all an update on my 2010 goals.

Generally life is very busy right now, especially at work. I'm finding that I'm really tired all the time, so secretly, deep down I hope things will start to settle soon. But hey let's not complain eh!

Some positives...
- I registered for my third module {out of four} of my professional qualifications. I've decided to do distance learning and will start the module in March. It felt good to book that today. Looking forward to starting it.

- I have my 'audition' tomorrow to join the worship team at church. Having been wanting to sort this out for ages and finally managed to speak to the main guy on Sunday about auditioning, so that will be tomorrow.

- I found out one of my old friends who I used to work with has had a baby daughter {is it me or is EVERYONE either pregnant or having babies!}. Really happy for him, can't actually believe he is a dad now! Everyone is growing up!

- It's pay day this week! Woohoo! Start my savings plan!

Some negatives...
- I'm so behind on my Bible in 90 days reading. I should be in Judges somewhere and I'm just finishing Exodus, which by my count is 7 days worth of reading.  The first week went kinda okay and then I missed a day, which turned in another day, which before I knew it was a week. Then each day it has gotten harder to catch up. Also I'm finding that doing it last thing at night, is not the best time, as many a nights I have fallen asleep mid verse!

I'm off work next week for a couple of days, so I'm hoping to spend some time and catch up properly. Following that I plan to do my reading before going on the internet/blogging etc which should motivate me and help me make the time to do it every day.

One thing I will say is that the chapters I have read, I have really enjoyed. It's amazing how a story you think you know so well, can appear much differently when you read it again, with a different mindset. I'm trying not to read it too much like a story book, but really hopefully take it in and allow God to speak to me through His words.

- I didn't lose any weight this week, in fact I put weight on. Totally rubbish! But if I showed you my food diary, you wouldn't have much sympathy! Deep down I really do want to do it, but in the midst of pressure at work, tiredness and most probably lazyness I end up making unhealthy choices. Every morning when I look at all the clothes I could be wearing but can't fit into, I am reminded of this fact.

Losing weight is one of those things that you want to see immediate results but in reality it takes time and I guess I'm just impatient! However one thing I do know from losing weight in the past is that once it starts to drop off, it becomes addictive and you want to stay on track. I just need to get to that point!

How's everyone getting on with their goals for 2010.?

There are 3 people in this relationship

As Christians when it comes to relationships, our relationship with God matters first and foremost. But what about my husband, what about my fiancé, you ask?

Well the great thing is, the closer we become to God individually, the closer we become to each other. Conversely the further away we go from God, the further away we are from each other.

Since my home life will be a function of my walk with God, I want to make sure my walk with God is on point and give it number one priority.

After all ‘a wise woman builds her house’ Proverbs 14:1.

Picture {source}

Verse of the year

Last year the verse that summed up my year was Jeremiah 29:11-12. I never formalised it as ‘verse of the year’ but throughout 2009 it was the verse that I held on to and God used this verse to constantly remind and encourage by telling us, ‘

‘I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.’

Perfect!

For 2010 my verse of choice is Genesis 18:14

‘Is anything too hard for the Lord'?’

Many a times we don’t ask God for things because deep down we don’t believe He can do. But like with Sarah in Genesis, where God gave her a baby in old age, God can can do anything, even the impossible.

So this year I will be bold in my prayers and seek God for things that humanly seem impossible and have faith that He will do it. Now obviously He won’t give me everything I ask for, because not everything we ask for is in accordance to His will or the timing is not quite right, but all the same I will still ask.

I keep a testimony book and very similar to a gratitude journal, I document all miracles and blessings God does for me. I started it last year and on 31st Dec, it was nice to read back and remember all the things God did in 2009, because lets be honest, sometimes we forget.

This year, I will continue to do so and also share with you some of the great things God is doing in my life.

* THANKFUL - thank you God for your protection and journey mercies as I have been driving around in the snow and ice. Thank you that I have not had any accidents or car trouble!

The real voice of the blogger

I came across this post yesterday by Stie, which got me thinking about blogging in general and how much of myself I reveal to the online world. The writer was reflecting on a post she read by Travellin’ Oma, which talked about ‘assessing whether the posts we write are real reflections of our true selves or if they are merely the best of us put on display’. I would definitely agree that blogging is an opportunity to put your best foot forward and reveal the you that you wish the world to see. I admire bloggers like Jenna and Alexandra who are very real, always, warts and all.

As I mention in my About me page, I blog openly and honestly about things I talk about, but of course there are things that one doesn’t talk about here. Like the wedding postponement for example and why 4 months on, we still haven't announced a new date for the wedding. Not because we haven’t wanted to do, but because there are personal things going on ‘behind-the-scenes’, which are just not appropriate to share right now and prevent us doing so. This has been hard to deal with, I won’t lie.

Blogging is something I enjoy a lot and I love to write freely, but there are times when it can be incredibly stressful, as there are things going on in life which I want to share but don’t for fear of offending or upsetting certain people. I guess there is a fine line between airing your dirty laundry and sharing real raw stories about your personal life and it’s about striking the balance. I’m not sure if this is a sign of weakness {worrying about what others think} or me just being respectful to certain individuals and not wanting to rock the boat.

Some days I’m not sure.

Just before Christmas I thought about taking the blog offline and making it private, thus still allowing me to have the outlet to talk about all issues but to myself, but then I thought isn’t that what diaries are for? This place isn’t a place to moan and cuss others, but a place of love where I share my thoughts and experiences on my road to marriage. Something I will continue to do.

If you don’t see any posts on wedding detail stuff, it’s because presently I’m not doing much ‘wedding’ stuff per se, however I hope this will change in the coming weeks. As time moves on and I’m given ‘permission’ to share certain things I will do and hopefully that will help give you a clearer picture on things. In the meantime, I will continue posting as per usual on topics that are relationship, marriage and life based. Hope you don’t mind!

Thanks for all your love and support.

C.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

{taken from outside my window at work}

England is currently experiencing the worst snow for over 20 years. Where my parents live they have over 8 inches of snow! I for one have never seen snow like that. Where I am it's not too bad, but still the journey home last night was taken with caution and care, as the main roads are fine, but the side roads not so.

Some people are 'fortunate' enough to be snowed-in at the moment, again my parents and siblings being in that camp and it's just amazing when you think about what snow is...tiny snowflakes. But these tiny snowflakes compact and come together, closing schools, airports, blocking roads and stopping people from going to work.

It got me thinking, in life there are times when you need people to stand with you, you need people to support you, you can't do things on your own. It's the same with marriage and planning the wedding. I can try to do it all on my own, but there are people around me who have been placed there to help, support and give guidance. It's my choice whether I want to grasp that opportunity. As they say, 'two heads are better than one', right!

Snow is just a single snowflake but look at the power it has when it comes together with others.

Well hello 2010, how do you do?

Happy New Year, 2010 is finally here! Wishing you and your families a blessed year ahead.



I'm truly grateful to God for bringing me through 2009 and it's good to finally be able to close the door on a really eventful year. I thought about doing a recap post but to be honest, as much as I like to reflect, it really is all about moving forward.



2009 as you know also marked the end of the decade and the past ten years have been full of many firsts and achievements. I finished high school, learnt to drive, travelled Europe, lived in the USA for a summer, went to university, graduated from university, got my first proper job, bought a house and best of all - got engaged to Mr E.



I will always remember this decade as the one that shaped the person I am today. She taught me many lessons and we have laughed and cried together.



I'm really looking forward to the next ten years! I'm going to be a wife, start a family and begin to fulfil all the things God has destined for my life.



New Years Eve this year was fab! Mr E and I went to the KICC watch night service and it was immense being surrounded by 10,000 people as we thanked God for 2009 and got ready to welcome in 2010. The KICC mass choir were amazing and Pastor Matthew preached a sermon on 'How to have a Happy New Year' which I will share with you soon. And to top it all off, Kirk Franklin came and performed, which was fan-tas-tic!



What an awesome way to see in the New Year. Hope you all had fun nights too!



Goals wise I have a number of things I want to achieve this year, ranging across family, to work, to ministry. Things which if I can do will not only be great for personal achievement but for life in general.



'If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves'. ~ Edison



So, 2010 welcome - you're going to be a great year. I know it.



xoxo

Proposal memories

A year ago today Mr E asked me to his wife.  It’s amazing how quickly the past 12 months have gone.

Our relationship has gone from strength to strength, as we have grown as a couple, learning more about each other and learning more about our relationship. Heck! I’ve learnt more about myself!

I recently found my journal from earlier in the year, where I wrote down the advice that different people have given to us over the past 12 months. Here are some of my favourites:

You are best friends:
- share everything together
- make decisions together
- pray together
- have no secrets
- spend time together
- get interested in each other's hobbies
- get to know each other's personalities, vision and desires

Marriage is for life, divorce is not an option


Communication is key


Understanding and sacrifices will sometimes need to be made


God is at the centre and we fight our battles on our knees


2009 has seen some curve balls thrown at us but we have stood strong through it all and I believe that 2010 will be our year.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all our friends and family who have supported us in 2009.

We love you lots!

Here’s to the future!
  

Our Barrack and Michelle Obama election victory inspired posing!

Happy Christmas!

Tomorrow we celebrate Christmas, the day our Saviour was born. 2000 years ago, Jesus came to earth in order that we can be free and have eternal life.

I hope that you will be spending the day with those that you love. Cherish them, tell them that you love them and enjoy fellowship as we remember what Christmas is all about.

If you happen to be alone this Christmas and your current situation is not how you wish it to be, know that God loves you and you are very special to him.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:28 TM

Hop over to Boundless who have a great article, which I hope you find encouraging.

To everyone - enjoy tomorrow and for a bit of fun, I have attached a picture of moi, enjoying my very first Christmas!

Happy Holidays - see you next week!

Love is a verb

“Love means that I have to do something, and it means it’s going to cost me something”
– Joyce Meyer

Image - Love Revolution

I was watching Joyce Meyer this morning and she was talking about 'Real Love' and I was really challenged by her teaching. Many a times I say ‘I love’, but my actions don’t always mirror the words.

In John 15:12, Jesus tells us that we should should ‘love one another’ just as He loved us.  Now we all know what love is, 1 Corinthians 13 describes it very well and it is one of the most popular bible verses at weddings. However love without action, is theory.

‘Love thy neighbour’ is another well known verse but neighbour doesn’t just limit you to those people who live next door to you, it can basically mean anyone who crosses your path during the course of the day.

Ask yourself: what need can I meet today, how can I show love? It could be a word of encouragement, a cup of coffee with a old friend or surprising your significant other with an unexpected act of kindness! A simple action can make all the difference.

“When we see a need, we are going to meet it. We don’t need a twelve-hour prayer meeting; we are going to meet people’s needs, unless God tells us otherwise” – Joyce Meyer

To feel love you need to give love, so selfishness has no place here! Reach out to others, even to those people who you think don’t deserve it. More often than not, the people who treat us the worst are the ones who need the most love, understanding and kindness from us.

Today, I commit to showing love through action everyday and I challenge you to do the same. Let’s all make an effort to show love to those around us {strangers included}, not just today but everyday.

To get you started there are some great ideas here.

What practical ways will you be showing love this Christmas time?

Getting the mind ready for 2010

I found this on Think Splendid and thought it was perfect for this time of year.

Liene writes, ‘the purpose is for all of us to declutter our minds from all the toxic thoughts and beliefs that tend to fill it and start the new year with a fresh slate’.

As we enter 2010 next week, I thought it would be great to share.

1. Unforgiveness or holding a grudge is like drinking a bottle of poison and waiting for the other person to die.
2. For planners: no one has the cure for AIDS in their timelines, so stop stressing over "secrets". YOU are your trade secret.
3. "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt
4. Unsubscribe from any blogs that consistently make you upset or uncomfortable. No rule that says you have to read them.
5. Go through your own twitter or blog history and count how many are complaints. Set a goal to cut that number at least in half for this year.
6. A gratitude journal does wonders, I can't stress this enough. Happytapper.com is a great iPhone app.
7. Don't believe all the hype or read your own headlines. Wedding industry "fame" should always be taken with a grain of salt.
8. You can't fully control life, even with positive thinking. Other people’s poor choices will still affect you. Respond; don't react.
9. "The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." - Ann Landers.
10. There is no shortage of talent in the wedding industry. Choose to work with vendors you like and who won't drag everyone down.
11. The world is a bakery producing fresh opportunities every day, not a fixed pie where you need to fight for the last crumb.
12. If your ideas aren't being copied, they probably aren't that good. Protect them legally, but prepare to let some things go.
13. Go on record as the first to have the idea and/or style. You can't be a trendsetter if you don't allow your idea to become a trend.
14. If you work from home, make it a point to have lunch at least once a week with a friend or colleague. It will do wonders for your outlook.
15. Perfect doesn't exist, so let go of the extra stress. Sometimes you just have to launch an idea and refine it as you go along.
16. Some people who have wronged you will never apologize. Let it go. You can't be their conscience/Jiminy Cricket/Holy Spirit.
17. Let's face it: we all have issues; some that we don't even know exist. Everyone should see a counsellor. Pride kills.
18. True humility doesn't hide its gifts. Keep your ego in check, but don't pretend to not be good at something you're good at.
19. "There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you." – Marianne Williamson
20. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. You can't please everybody and you certainly don't have to listen to everybody.
    What piece of mental detox advice would you add to this list?

For more great advice like this on business and life, visit www.thinksplendid.com

Christmas is coming!

Yowza! Not long until until the New Year and even less time until Christmas. Where has this year gone!

2009 has definitely been a year of change, a year of personal growth, a year of new experiences. Things which looking back, I am extremely grateful for, as you don't realise your own strength or patience until it’s tested.

Can’t wait to be off work for a fortnight and spend time with my family. I’m also looking forward to lots of really good food {thanks mum!} and catching up with my girls.

Christmas is by far my favourite holiday, as not only do we remember our Saviour being born, but it's a time for us reconnect with people and I hope to be able to do some of that this holiday season.

What do you love most about the holidays?

‘Little’ drummer boy – taken in NYC 2007

I’ve gotta lot to be thankful for!

‘In all things give thanks’. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Lord I thank you…

• that I am alive and healthy today.
• for my family, for keeping them safe, for providing for them and for being with them wherever they are in the world.
• for blessing me with a wonderful, amazing man, who loves me and who I will soon call my husband. Te Quiero, honey.
• that in the midst of economic meltdown and redundancies all around, I am still gainfully employed.
• for blessing me a beautiful home.
• for the wonderful people you brought into my life, who I can call my friends.
• for directing us to great new church.
• for all the people who have been supporting and standing with us in prayer over the past few months.
• for your miracles and blessing over the past year.

Thank you Lord because you are awesome, mighty and worthy of all praise. I love you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Image{source}

Proverbs 31:10-31 (Contemporary English Version)

In Praise of a Good Wife

¹⁰A truly good wife
   is the most precious treasure
   a man can find!
¹¹Her husband depends on her,
   and she never
   lets him down.
¹²She is good to him
   every day of her life,
¹³and with her own hands
   she gladly makes clothes.
¹⁴She is like a sailing ship
   that brings food
   from across the sea.
¹⁵She gets up before daylight
   to prepare food
   for her family
   and for her servants.
¹⁶She knows how to buy land
   and how to plant a vineyard,
¹⁷and she always works hard.
¹⁸She knows when to buy or sell,
   and she stays busy
   until late at night.
¹⁹She spins her own cloth,
²⁰and she helps the poor
   and the needy.
²¹Her family has warm clothing,
   and so she doesn't worry
   when it snows.
²²She does her own sewing,
   and everything she wears
   is beautiful.
²³Her husband is a well-known
   and respected leader
   in the city.
²⁴She makes clothes to sell
   to the shop owners.
²⁵She is strong and graceful, as well as cheerful
   about the future.
²⁶Her words are sensible,
   and her advice
   is thoughtful.
²⁷She takes good care
   of her family
   and is never lazy.
²⁸Her children praise her,
   and with great pride
   her husband says,
²⁹"There are many good women,
   but you are the best!"
³⁰Charm can be deceiving,
   and beauty fades away,
   but a woman
   who honours the LORD
   deserves to be praised.
³¹Show her respect--
   praise her in public
   for what she has done.

This Proverbs 31 women, is she for real?

When you read about the Proverbs 31 woman, how do you feel? I know in the past I have read it and been like ‘whoa, is she for real?’. Other times I read it and walk away feeling really inspired, ‘how can I be more like her’.

Earlier in the week, I listened to a teaching by Josh Harris, as part of his Proverbs series, titled ‘The Women of Valour’ and I got to view Proverbs 31 in a completely new light. He focused on four characteristics of the valiant women, in order of importance:

• She fears God
• She gives her life away
• She is capable
• She is influential

Proverbs 31 is a ‘joyful expression of womanly excellence, resourcefulness and skill’ and Josh says we should approach it with humility and faith. Humility in the fact that we recognise that it’s not all about me and God is already aware of my weaknesses and deficiencies already and by faith, knowing that God has good for me in his Word and there is a joy and blessing that come as you study his Word.

When we read any passage in the Bible, there are two questions we should ask ourselves:

1. What effect does God want this passage to have on me?

2. What does he want to accomplish through it?

Over the next week, I hope to talk through what I got out of this teaching and practical ways to apply it daily life.

*************************************************

Options for you…

• Listen online or download an mp3 of the message
• Download a summary outline in PDF format.
• Use the following questions prepared by Don Devries to reflect on how to apply the message to your life.

1. A godly woman knows and fears the Lord. Is there anything you are living for--personal success, a husband, your children, etc.--more than you are living for God and His Kingdom?
2. Josh taught us that the Proverbs 31 woman is capable. How can this chapter stir godly ambitions for the Lord?
3. As Josh taught, the Proverbs 31 woman gives her life away. Is there need around you that the Lord is calling you to help meet?
4. Concerning godly womanhood, are you following what the world values or are you valuing what God says is praiseworthy?
5. In what one Proverbs 31 quality would you like to grow?
6. Men, how can you encourage, cherish and honour the values of womanhood described in Proverbs 31?

Who’s in charge of your Schedule?

To-do lists rule my life at the moment and sometimes I wonder how I will ever achieve everything I need to do in a day. I know as a wife and mother this won’t necessarily become easier as the responsibilities become greater. I need to find a way to prioritise and manage my time better, ultimately ensuring that I am doing what God wants me to be doing.

I found this great article online about how God is teaching one woman about schedules. Have a read and let me know what you think? There are some great principles which I will definitely be applying to my life.

By Blair Massey

“How can I be better organised”? “How can I use my time more wisely?” “What new technique can I use to bring some balance into my life?” These are some of the questions I ask myself as I pour over my “To Do” list. In a typical day I can have a list of at least ten tasks that need to accomplished; each just as important as the next.

It is easy to can get overwhelmed when there is so much to do. Do you ever think to yourself: “I am tired of being the chauffer, cook and laundry maid–I want to have some fun!” If this scenario sounds familiar then let me share with you what God has been teaching me about schedules.

1. What’s at the Top of Your “To Do” List?

Luke 10:38-42  As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Have you ever had a day where you felt that everything depended on you? Martha was having that kind of day. She had invited Jesus and his twelve disciples over for dinner. That meant she had a lot of preparations to make. Because of all the work involved with entertaining this large group of people, Martha was very upset that her sister Mary wasn’t helping her. In Martha’s mind taking care of her guests was more important than listening to Jesus teach–she could listen to Jesus later. She felt perfectly content with putting the Lord at the bottom of her list of priorities. The result of that decision was that she led a “worried and upset” life.

Martha was focused on the details of the dinner and not on the One for whom she was making dinner. Martha was like many of us. We have our schedules set up for the day, week, month, and year. We work so hard at being organized and productive, but where is God on our list of priorities? Shouldn’t our relationship with Him be at the top of our list? When was the last time you got up early in the morning just to spend some quality time with God? Are you distracted by all the things you need to do?

Mary had her priorities straight. She understood that a relationship with the Lord was the most important thing. That is why she was sitting at the Lord’s feet soaking up his every word. It reminds me of the scripture that says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Where is your heart?

2. Pray About Your Schedule

Psalm 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

As I have been growing in the area of relying on God, he has shown me that I need to go to Him each day for help with my schedule. As I pray, I humbly acknowledge that it is His day and not mine. I ask Him to rearrange or clear my schedule so that I can do what He wants me to do. I can’t tell you how many times I have prayed like this and God has moved mountains from my schedule. I have had appointments be rescheduled and deadlines extended. I have found ways to do a job faster, found that I could put a job off to another day and had a friend call offering to watch my son for an afternoon. All these things have happened AFTER I have prayed. I am learning that I need to do this every day and not just when things get crazy. It is His schedule, not mine. No matter how efficient I make my schedule, I have to remember that He is in control and I am not.

3. Pray Throughout the Day

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Our day rarely goes the way we thought it would. Emergencies come up, appointments get cancelled, people let us down and plans change. It can be very challenging to meet the needs of your family when things get tossed up in the air. You think you have everything covered and then it all falls apart. That is why I love the scripture referenced above. It shows me how to handle every change in my schedule–pray continually!

When a challenge comes my way, I stop and ask God for direction. I ask Him how He wants me to handle things. He always provides an answer.

4. Don’t Rely on Yourself

Jeremiah 17:5-8  This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. “But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

When things are going well with my schedule and I am able to accomplish all my chores, errands and appointments, I tend to drift away from depending on God. Just like the Israelites, I become self-reliant and prideful. “I have it all covered. No need to worry. I am in control.”

It is easy for me to drift away from depending on God when I am not spending time with Him each day. God in His infinite wisdom always brings me back to Him using a little bit of chaos to show me my need. I’ll be cruising along with “my” agenda leading the way and something will happen that throws me off track. God makes it very clear that I am being self-reliant and not God-reliant. When I come to my senses I get down on my knees and pray for Him to lead the way.

When I take my schedule to God in prayer every day, I am like the tree planted by the stream. My load is lightened because God is taking care of all the details. I am free from worry. When I rely on myself I become frustrated and impatient. Then I am that bush in the wasteland. I won’t see any prosperity coming my way even if it is delivered to my doorstep in a gift wrapped package. All I see is the insurmountable obstacles in my way. I don’t see God because I am not praying. I am not praying because I am too busy trying to fix things myself. Does this sound familiar to you?

5. Don’t Worry About What People Think

Hebrews 13:6 “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

It is easy to get caught up in what other people think about how we use our time. “Am I doing the right thing? What will my friends think? Will they approve?” You only need to worry about what God thinks. You only need His approval. Do what is right and leave the details up to God.

Now I don’t want you to think that you don’t need to be organized or have a schedule. The point I am trying to make is that we need God’s direction. Schedules, agendas and “To Do” lists are just tools to help us be good stewards with our time. Let God decide what tasks are most important.

© 2002 – 2009 Blair Massey

Christian Lifestyle expert Blair Massey is devoted to helping Christian women around the world organize and manage their home, family and life. If you’re tired of struggling to keep up at home, Blair will show you how to unlock your God-given organizing ability so that you can start living the amazing life that God created you to enjoy! To learn how, sign up for her FREE newsletter now at http://christian-homemaking.com/affiliate-faqs

It’s been a while…

Aloha readers, hope you’re well.

Just recovering from a bad bout of food poisoning which has had me bed bound for the past 24 hours. Feeling much better now, but it was not good!

So I went to check out the K by Beverley Knight range at Selfridges on Tuesday and to summarise I wasn’t really impressed. All the foundations are oil free, so what’s a girl to do if you have dry skin. Plus I thought, for what was available; eye shadows, blushers and lipsticks etc, you can get better products from other brands.

I don’t know about you but I’m not one to spend loads of money on the peripherals (eye shadow, lip gloss and blush) because a lot of cheaper brands do good quality versions {check out Sleek MakeUP for some fab blushers and eye shadow palettes, all less than £5}. don’t mind spending money on a good foundation because apart from Maybelline's Dream Satin, there isn’t a budget range on the market that I personally have found to be good.

Sleek Eyeshadow Palette ‘Original’ 

So back to ‘K’ – she did have a nice blusher I saw, ‘Flame’ which is very similar to M.A.C. ‘Ambering Rose’ and ‘Her Name is Rio’ from MYFACE Cosmetics, but more expensive at £14, in terms of what you get. Ladies feel free to check the range out and let me know your thoughts!

Started back on Weight Watchers and I’ve lost 4lbs in two weeks. May not sound like loads but I’m on track for reaching my year end of goal of losing 10% of my current weight. I’m writing down what I’m eating {most days}, having soups for lunch and I’m following through the routine in Buff Brides as well as fitting in a run at weekends. I’m looking forward to fitting back into my clothes as well as getting fitter.

Winter is definitely on it’s way, the weather has got so cold lately. Need to find where my winter clothes are, its time to start sporting the gloves, hat and scarf combo and bring out the knee boots – yay!

Finally did anyone watch X-factor on Saturday/Sunday? Thought Cheryl and Whitney were ace, although comparing Cheryl’s live voice to her radio voice is interesting! She is a good dancer though.

We’re going into week three - who’s your favourite to win?

Picture source {beautifulwithbrains}

18 Things I wish I knew at 18…

1. Life is short. Live it to the full and make every day count for God’s glory.
2. True friends are hard to come by but when you find them, cherish, cherish, cherish.
3. Work hard but remember to strike a balance and always put your family first.
4. Don’t go looking for love, let love find you. You need to be happy with ‘me, myself and I’ before God can bring someone into your life.
5. Never stop learning. Knowledge is power.
6. Never stop asking questions, the answer may surprise you.
7. Just because you can pay the minimum doesn’t mean you can afford the balance.
8. Emergency funds are a useful thing.
9. You can’t please everyone…so why try?
10. Your integrity matters more than you can imagine.
11. Having clear, measureable goals for your life gives you direction.
12. Take care of yourself. Eat right. Rest. Exercise. Take time off. No one else can do that for you.
13. Don’t return emails when you’re angry. Equally don’t put anything in writing you can’t say to someone’s face.
14. Trust your instincts. They’re usually right.
15. Don’t ever say anything that may offend someone who is going to be serving you food. You never know what they may stick in it when you’re not looking.
16. Always do what you say you will do – honour your word.
17. The times when you don’t feel like praying are usually the times when you should be praying the most.
18. And finally, don’t worry about life, because ultimately God is in control and all things work together for good!

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

Young Married Life

So my favourite online e-zine Boundless, have launched a new online community called Young Married Life. In their words it’s ‘a kind of virtual young married small group’. I’ve been surfing around the site, particularly the blog and I think it’s great. All the writers are married people ranging from those who have been married over ten years to one who got married just last month! The insight is fresh, insightful but most of all real.

There is not a lot of good online content for Christian couples (at least in my opinion), so I’m very pleased that Boundless have launched this.

Hope over and let me know what you think!

p.s. If you’ve never checked out Boundless – head over there too!