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. 🦋 

The vast, bombarding "menu" of information

 I'm sure I'm not the only person who has felt bombarded with information during the last few years. The problem was not necessarily that the information was bad, but there was just so.much. Of course, we can't forget the inundation of 'helpful' information presented, and posted by misinformed people who were often driven by fear during the last season. This post is not about that.

What I'm talking about is the vast menu of good information. For example, the many social media pages of Christian ministers, musicians and general quote pages. They are all good...but how many of us actually have time to pay full attention to so many posts, articles, videos, etc from so many sources?

My frustration has been other people trying to "force feed" me good "food" from a menu I have already chosen from. It's like, I have chosen a main meal, and they want me to eat the dessert or entree they have chosen for me. Or even a different main meal. I'm satisfied with my choice, and I don't need anything else. 

There have been many pastors and ministers I've followed on social media, but over the years have unfollowed, as they no longer belonged on my journey. There is nothing wrong with them, I just stopped paying attention, which suggested I no longer needed their voice in my life. Last week, I realised I routinely ignore and scroll past a certain pastor's posts. So...I unfollowed them. Their "food" no longer sustains me. That's ok. The menu is vast, and I know many others are sustained through their "food". They are serving their purpose, and that's good. 

We are all on our own journeys. There are seasons where where we will enjoy certain items from the menu, then seasons where we choose a different option. That's how we grow. Even babies need to move on from milk to solids. It's natural progression.

Sometimes it feels as though social media is a tool to force us to eat from the entire menu, when it is not only physically impossible, but mentally impossible. If it doesn't bring you growth or joy, why do you keep ordering from that section of the menu? If the dessert just sits there uneaten, maybe you should remove it? You won't enjoy it, and gluttony isn't good either, physically or spiritually. 

Something I've also noticed...when you unfollow a page that no longer serves you, it opens up menu items you hadn't previously noticed! Add to that, unfollow a "Negative Nancy" and suddenly the news feed is flooded with positivity! Sometimes you discover menu items you hadn't previously considered, and they provide what you need. But...you needed to make room! 

I deliberately don't tell people to watch, listen to, or read anything unless I know they are interested. I became fed up with people sending me these things, publicly and privately. Often with no explanation of why they think I should pay attention. I refuse to open a video unless the sender takes time to explain why they think I should. Even then, sometimes I decline. That's because I know what I want from the menu. Additionally, if I do send something to a friend myself, always with an explanation, I don't get offended if they decline. It goes both ways.

So, my questions are, What are you "eating" from the menu of information? What continues to sustain you, and what should you remove? Is there a menu item you haven't discovered because you continue to "eat" from a selection that no longer brings you joy?

Stay in your lane and enjoy your journey! 🦋

John 6:35. "I am the bread of life..." 

Look past the obstacles

 This morning, as I was waiting to cross the road, I looked to my left, to this construction site. The road currently leads nowhere. My first thought was, "Who builds these paths that flood so easily!" 

Then God interrupted, saying, "But you can cross that road, can't you? If you wanted to get to the other side, you would find a way". Then He reminded me that sometimes this is how the enemy works. He places roadblocks in our paths. It looks difficult to cross, but when you discern these roadblocks, nothing stops you from crossing! When you are on the right path, you will find obstacles popping up, trying to slow you down, or stop you from crossing, altogether. The water may wet your shoes, but it can't stop you from crossing, unless you give it that power.

"Small minded" people will see that water, and walk the other way. They will miss the blessing of pushing through. Not those who are secure in their God-given authority. These are the warriors who will walk through (or leap over!) that water, and then walk around the obstacles...they are undefeated by the enemy's tactics. When the path is clear, obstacles just become challenges to overcome. 

Let's not be "small minded". Let's choose to always look beyond the challenges of life, and find a way. When you face an obstacle, take God's hand and allow Him to guide you through. There will always be a way! 🦋

New season, new shoes

I recently resumed catching the train to work, after almost a year of driving. I missed the exercise, but discovered my "walking" work shoes were well past their expiry date. So, I replaced them, and the new pair are sooooo much more supportive (& clean!). 

Seeing my 2 pairs of shoes together, I was reminded of the changing seasons in life- we have begun a new season, and it is clear the old season was "well worn". It was full of good things - growth, struggles, joys. Good friendships and investing our gifts to our church. But, like the shoes, the season had an expiry point. These old shoes are well-worn. They have scratches & holes that let the water in when it rains. Their support has worn, meaning I could inflame an old achilles injury, with continued use. They are no longer useful for the current season. We need new "tools" for a fresh purpose. 

The new shoes not only look better, but feel better. They are well-suited for the current season. We would be silly to try to carry last season's "tools" into the new season. Sometimes we just need a small confirmation of the new in our lives. New shoes mean new purpose, a new journey. Moving forward, progressing, and not falling down or returning to the past- seriously, who would want to wear old shoes when you have new ones? 

I would love to wear prettier shoes to work, but I am blessed with a practical job, and these shoes are "fit for purpose". 

The old, worn shoes represent a good, full and active season. They fulfilled their purpose. It's now time to leave them behind and enjoy this new journey! 🦋

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" ~Isaiah 43:18‭-‬19a NIV

Blessings everywhere!

This morning while in church, God gave me the sudden realisation that even though I've been feeling in the middle of a slow whirlwind, surviving, coping, choosing joy, standing... SO MANY good things have been happening too. I was reminded of the bible verse, Amos 9:13: 

“Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills..." Amos 9:13 MSG. (Emphasis mine).

People have been prophesying this during the year, but I didn't realise this new season has brought this kind of action to my life! 

I didn't relate to not being able to keep up. Suddenly, things are changing, happening, moving! We have moved. We didn't expect, or plan this new season to begin in a new church family. However, this one act of obedience triggered the beginning of the breakthroughs. Things are happening fast! The whirlwind is receding. New joys are coming, my heart is refreshed. Warfare has picked up, but that makes sense! We are in a joyful, new season. 

I also had a dream last night that really surprised me! Previously, I've talked about doors to friendships that God has locked. I still trust Him with the keys. I dreamed that one door is no longer locked. I'll be honest, the door was locked about 20 years ago, and I was led into an inner healing journey- which changed my life in amazing ways. But that door needed to be locked. I learned about soul ties. The person on the other side did try to initiate communication various times, and my mentors in their wise, motherly wisdom, strongly reminded me the door needed to stay closed. It was tough. That person would not know how hard it was for me to not engage, to not open the door even just a crack... it took strength & courage to trust God with that door. They probably thought I was heartless & uncaring, which is hard not to be able to defend. The truth is, I did care- which was why it was initially so hard to trust the door to stay locked. Yes, that person deeply hurt me, but I forgave them long ago. I won't go out of my way to open the door, but knowing it is no longer locked is a strange feeling. I did not see this coming! 

My heart is in anticipation for what is coming. Doors have closed, but new doors have opened! 2022 has not been the year we expected, but now we are running with this new season of blessings! 🦋