March

What a crazy month... I forgot to write a post! 

February was an AMAZING month, and March has just flown by! I loved every second of the Seers & Dreamers Gathering in Sydney. I finally met many online friends in person, and made new friends. I remember finishing work on the Wednesday, before my flight on Thursday morning. My body just naturally relaxed, in a much-needed, but also unexpected way. Even though my 4 days in Sydney were packed with activity, my body remained relaxed. As soon as I began work after returning home, I hit the ground running!

Now, as March comes to a close, my body is again in need of a rest! 

This has been a big year so far. I don't know for sure where this current path will lead. I just know that nothing is a surprise to God. I feel like I'm surfing a new kind of wave. As always, I persist. I'm riding new waves, and finding old waves rush towards me. Familiar, yet fresh. New elements of unknown added to the known. I never expected to again surf the familar waves. But, God knew. God knows. He has me in the palm of His hand, and that's really all that matters right now. 🦋

Riding the Waves of Life

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6 NIV

2023... What a year already! I was recently thinking about the last 5 or so years of my life, and realised it was a season of learning to ride the many waves that came my way! 

Small waves and big waves. Waves representing character growth, family situations, shock health diagnoses and 'young' deaths... Spiritual waves of adversity and realising some waves were caused by other people who should have known better ... Waves of navigating the covid season and lockdowns. So many waves! Sometimes you don't even realise you're in the water... Then a big wave hits! You either ride it or fall. It doesn't matter which way you go, as long as you keep going. 

I've been knocked down enough times to know the only option is to get back on the board. Falling is part of leaning and growing. The water doesn't harm you if you choose to keep getting back up. Each time you fall, you can get back up, stronger and more determined to ride the next wave. You can be better prepared, and wiser. Waves stop catching you off guard when you learn the signs. 

The last few years have turned me into a strong surfer, metaphorically. I've never actually tried to surf, physically. But spiritually, I surf a LOT. Personally, getting back up has required an attitude and heart of forgiveness. So many waves have come from unexpected sources, and tested my heart. 

I would say, the 2019-2022 season especially, was a season of becoming a stronger surfer. This season brought out the worst and the best in people. It exposed true colours and attitudes of the heart. I learned, if I was going to keep riding the waves, I needed to surf alone, or carefully select who I trusted to be in my circle. Too many people wanted to push me off my board, or stop me from moving forward. I couldn't pray with people if our attitudes and prayers were not in alignment. So I learned the boundaries of my own lane, and diligently stayed there. 

2022 brought waves of change. I rode many of those waves, until I realised I needed to start surfing in a different body of water. Where I'd felt alone & frustrated by the water I was in, the new body of water refreshed me and reignited my spark. I had outgrown the previous water. The waves of change carried me into a new season. 

My point is, life is full of waves. You can either use them to help you grow and overcome, or you can let the water envelope you and suck you under. The waves will come, big or small. The question is, Will you choose to surf or let life's challenges pull you down? 

I know I have faced many big waves, and at times, been briefly sucked under... But.. I choose to always pick myself back up. The big waves come, and now I meet them with new strength, wisdom and determination. The devil is a liar. There is ALWAYS a way back up/out/over/through. The waves are just a challenge for you to prove that. 

Trials will come, but God promises to stay with us and give us a reason to rejoice (1 Peter 1:6) and joy does come in the morning! (Psalm 30:5). 🦋

"A Man Called Otto"

 

"Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbors. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unexpected friendship that will turn his world upside-down".  https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_man_called_otto

 I recently saw this movie with my mum and sister. I wasn't sure what to expect, apart from it being a comedy of sorts. It was much more! What a beautifully constructed story...yes, it was funny, but it was also sad, relatable and thought-provoking. When the end credits rolled, nobody in the cinema moved! Everybody just sat there in a peaceful silence... It was just amazing how one movie could touch so many people. My sister said the man behind her was crying. I think everybody cried. 

It was funny seeing Otto behave as a grumpy, old man. It was also touching to see the underlying reasons for his grumpy facade. He had a tender heart, and his actions towards others, although rough and often abusive- had caring undertones. He was a good man, who just needed somebody to penetrate his outer shell. 

The reality of mental health and grief were addressed. How good people often struggle, and how important it is to just 'persist' - a simple "Hello" when passing by, or an invitation to lunch, knowing the answer will probably be a gruff No. 

It makes you think... How many people push others away simply because they are hurting? How many hard shells hide a soft interior? Sensitive and caring people who can't find a way to be happy - who just need a little help by being loved and seen by those around them.  

This is a very touching, funny and thought-provoking movie. Prepare to laugh - and bring tissues!

***TRIGGER WARNINGS*** "IF", MENTAL HEALTH

***SPOILER ALERT***

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

* If you struggle with infertility (IF), just be aware this is respectfully addressed in the movie. 

* There are references to suicide that may affect some people. The scenes are thoughtful and respectful, but they are there. 

****END WARNINGS/ALERT****

2023 - Change in the air

 Happy New Year! 

After a busy end to 2022, including getting sick before Christmas... and feeling extremely grateful to see my family for Christmas, the turn of the calendar page brought a sudden shift. 

On January 1st, Something in the air changed! 

I woke up feeling indifferent, then went to church. As soon as I entered that environment, my spirit quickened to a shift in the atmosphere. There was a new joy. People were happy - it felt as if the "Happiness Barometer" jumped a few new levels overnight! 

It felt as if God was up to something. Like all the challenges of 2022 were placed in a box, and He put the lid on top. Out with the old, in with the new. During the pre-service prayer time, there was an amazing sense of His presence, anticipation and expectation. I saw/sensed helium balloons all over the room, being popped. Breakthrough was beginning! It was almost overwhelming in the most beautiful way. 

I woke up feeling indifferent, and after church, my spirit was energised. Whatever this year holds, I am in anticipation of what God has planned for me, His church, corporately and individually. There is an old song -  "God is up to something good, something good, something good..."  The word I was given for this year is FRESH, and all Sunday, this word was confirmed. This is a fresh season. I am excited to see where He takes us this year! I can't remember the last time I felt excited by a new year. Each previous year, it has been about survival. Maintaining peace and hope amidst the storms and challenging times. 

How awesome it is to feel excited again! 🦋

2022 Reflections

Another year almost over. I remember last December, writing in expectation of a better year ahead. I anticipated a year of metaphorically needing to wear a seatbelt. My perceptions were right...I had no idea just how much of a rollercoaster 2022 would be! The Holy Spirit has been my "seatbelt" - my calm, security, protection, guide... So much has happened this year, but I am blessed to have stayed on the path set before me. There were many temptations to ignore my internal sense of direction. Situations, circumstances and attitudes...spiritual attacks against my peace, joy and hope. In the end, I am proud to say I listened to the Holy Spirit, that still, inner voice, and did not go where God did not send me, nor stay where His grace no longer covered me. 

One lesson I learned, was My side of the story does not need to be told. God has my back, and that is all that matters. That's not an easy lesson to embrace...so I am happy that I was able to "Let go and let God" in various circumstances. My biggest challenge was to have no regrets, and for the most part, I succeeded.

I did not at all anticipate moving on from the church family I had loved and served for 8 years. Earlier this year, God made it very clear that our season there was over. It was bittersweet - leaving friends who were like family, but also moving forward in unexpected ways. Obediently letting go of the known and embracing the unknown. 

For those who are wondering, we chose to leave quietly, with our pastors' blessing. We entered a new season at Planetshakers. It has been a refreshing change for us. A change we did not plan or expect, but God's plans are always the best, aren't they!

I continued with Jennifer Eivaz's Australian & New Zealand Prophetic Company. What an amazing group of people to know and experience life with! I'm excited to be attending the Seers and Dreamers Gathering in Sydney in the new year. I'm especially excited that I will finally meet in person some beautiful friends I've made through this online community.

2021 included many deaths of family and friends. I'd hoped 2022 would be different... But that was not the case. We lost clients to covid and others to covid-related circumstances. We lost more family members... and as the Commonwealth lost their 96 year old matriarch whom we felt would be with us forever, we lost our beloved 97 year old Nonna- whom we also felt would be with us forever. The worst part was Covid was her cause of death. This mighty, strong, Italian woman was overcome by a virus. I didn't get to visit her in the covid ward - I made plans to visit, but she passed away during the night before. I felt such an unusual sense of peace after her death. That was a huge encouragement to this intercessor who had invested countless hours in prayer for her. 

2022... Another year of holding on to unfulfilled promises. A year of trusting in the unknown. A year of change... of rest and growth. 

Another year of Covid-fatigue and uncomfortable PPE. I won't go into this - just know healthcare workers still have to work under strict Covid guidelines and regulations. Covid is real. We're still tired. 2022 added the dimensions of tragic loss & grief into my workplace.

Much more has happened on this rollercoaster of 2022. This year brought much change, but also many blessings. It was a year of changing my foundations while remaining grounded. It was a challenging year. I choose to focus on the happy moments, and look forward to seeing where this path continues into 2023, with a personal theme word: FRESH. 

Happy New Year! 🦋

(The photo is of our feijoa tree 😀).

November

 I can't believe November is almost over! What a year. I had so many ideas of what to write about, but as I sit down to begin...my mind has gone blank! Almost a year ago, I took on the challenge to post monthly. I have almost completed a full year! So, I'll just leave this here, and prepare for a more interesting December post 🦋

The "Golden Rule"

 I've been pondering this topic for some time... the Golden Rule - "Treat others the way you want to be treated". 

It sounds simple enough... treat others with kindness and respect. If you don't want it done to you, don't do it to others. However...in this current season, this has been quite a challenge! An assignment of sorts.

So, for me personally, the Golden Rule during the last few years has been re-phrased to, "Treat others the way you want to be treated, not the way they treat you!".  

Seriously, this has been a tough season! Dodging so many "fiery arrows" (Ephesians 6:16). They've come from unexpected sources, and been the drive to be on guard and maintain a heart of forgiveness. That sounds easy, right? Forgiveness is not too hard when it's a one-time offense...but when you find yourself repeatedly forgiving the same offense from the same source/s, it becomes tiring... and you find yourself relying on God's grace to help you maintain a clean heart. Because it's much easier to have an unclean heart. My prayer, as previously mentioned, has been to maintain a clean heart (Psalm 51:10). Forgiving others may not change them, but it keeps my heart clean. We can't pray for others if we have offense in our heart towards them. Forgiveness is a choice. Even if we don't feel it, our decision to maintain a forgiving heart will eventually bring the feelings. 

Part of my challenge is to accept that my side of the story doesn't need to be told. My story is just as valid, but God is the only validation I need. In the end, God knows all, and He is above all. My challenge is to maintain a peaceful and clean heart, because we do not fight against flesh and blood. The battle is the Lord's. (Ephesians 6:12). I want no regrets. I just want to please my Father in heaven. 

I hope this encourages somebody. 🦋