When life seems to be spinning on a slow wheel

Somewhere between the end of the financial year and Christmas, are a few months that seem endless. In my region, the annual agricultural shows and public holidays are over. Apart from a few local festivals and spring events, at this time each year, life can feel like ‘spinning a slow wheel.’

Everyone becomes a little tired as the year presses on, or they are coming out of winter and into spring. You would think living in the tropics, the migration of winter to spring would not affect us, but it appears so. Come early November, everyone gains a spark again, and we have end-of-year celebrations and often holidays in our planning.

Living life during the challenging times when everything is an endless roll of getting ‘stuff’ done, can seem monotonous.

Now is a wonderful time to recall that:

• God loves You! John 3:17-17

• If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are a child of God. 1 John 3:1

• Forgiven. Acts 13:38-39

• You are precious to God.  Isaiah 43:4

• God knows you by your name. Isaiah 43:1

• You are chosen.  1 Peter 2:9

• A masterpiece – God doesn’t make second-best. Ephesians 2:10

During the tedious times when life is spinning on a slow wheel, why not choose to:

• Try something new – a hobby, change of routine, sport.

• Begin a study on a book in the Bible.  You may like to look at Jude, Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John.

• Be intentional about catching up with friends or people with whom you are acquainted and get to know them better.

Each day we can make the decision to show gratitude and express gratefulness, even in the ‘slow wheel’ times.

How are you tracking in 2023?

At the beginning of a new year, many people make resolutions.  The reasons to make a resolution/s vary from changing careers to losing weight or becoming healthier.

Interestingly, reading the article from finder.com.au   I noted that having or increasing their families isn't a resolution.  Buying a home is not in the top five activities. However, eating more healthily and saving more money are at the top of the list.

So how are you tracking in 2023?

Our resolutions often are made to improve our physical or financial needs.  But what about our spiritual needs? 

'It takes wisdom to build a house and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies. It’s better to be wise than strong; intelligence outranks muscle any day. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel.' Proverbs 24:3-5 (The Message)

Proverbs 21:2 says, 'A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.'

we need:

• The Lord in our lives.  That is a personal relationship with our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Find out more here.
• Wisdom - we find this by reading and obeying Scripture.
• Allowing the Lord to direct us by the Holy Spirit.
• Living out our faith each day (not just the day you go to meet with fellow believers).

So often, we make resolutions to change something about ourselves or our situations. However, change starts within our hearts and minds, and flows out in our actions.

Do you want to change a habit? There needs to be an action, not just a thought.  To make a change, real change in our lives means being consistent and practicing. Becoming consistent and practicing can be uncomfortable, even challenging. 

Determine to make small, specific steps that build from nothing to something.  For example, you may want to read the whole Bible in one year, yet reading the long lists of names and laws becomes tedious.  You may choose to download an App and action a reading plan that has audio as well as a short devotional which takes 5-10 mins whilst you are having morning coffee to begin your day.

You may like to increase your savings so create a savings tracker, and an account where each week a small amount of money is deposited.  Being able to start an i-saver account in your online banking is so easy in today's world.  This is just one example for you to kick-start ideas.

As you reflect on where you began in January 2023 to now, make some notes and observations on your journey.  How will you adjust what you are doing to reach the resolution?

How are you tracking in your life, in your goals, and in your faith in 2023?

Who Am I?

 Recently, I posted on my social media pages a few thoughts about how often women are asked, "What do you do for a job?"

As I've reflected further on this issue, I am encouraged that as women, we have been given the ability by God to encourage, love, and nurture others, even under immense pressure and responsibility.

In a world that so often defines us by our accomplishments, looks, dress code, and what we own, we can forget that God created us. Scripture tells us, "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10

What am I? When considering this question - the first part of the answer is that I am a child of God, saved and forgiven, a believer in Jesus Christ.

Secondly, my job description now encompasses financial director, executive housekeeper, event planner and coordinator, diary manager, and secretarial administrator.

Reading the stories of Esther and Ruth reminds us that these women did not have easy choices to make.  They endured and participated in making a difference for their community, and family. Their stories are written down for us to be encouraged.

Read:  Ruth and Esther

My quote for 2023 is "To be successful at anything, you must simply be what most people aren't: Consistent" Anon

So, our question is not What Are You? Not what is your job?

Instead, ask yourself - Who Am I? Now that's an interesting question to ponder!

For further reading you might like to undertake - click here 

To read more about Who I am in Christ - click here

To view the social media post - click here

Singing and Shouting

Looking through the Psalms, I've noticed numerous times when we're instructed to sing or shout to the Lord.

Psalm 96:1-2 (NIV) tells us, "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name, proclaim his salvation day after day."

Again, Psalm 98:1 (NIV) says, "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;"

Some so many talented artists write and record worship songs to tell of what the Lord is doing - marvelous things! There is no reason to not worship the Lord Jesus. We have no reason to grumble that we don't know what to sing!  If you cannot find a song to sing, then I encourage you to begin reading the Psalms.  Are you struggling to pray?  Read the Psalms aloud to the Lord as your prayer.

Out in the countryside by yourself?  Maybe shout out a Psalm to the Lord.  That will get the attention of the local animals 😉 However, you decide to pray - 'singing and shouting' are some ways to express worship.  David, who wrote many of the psalms sang and praised the Lord and wrote down his pieces.  He was a musical and poetical artist. Even today, we are the recipients of these recorded compilations.

After reading some Psalms, you could write a praise piece to the Lord to express your love for him.

Spending time in Scripture and reading (I suggest aloud) some Psalms, helps to reduce anxiety and worry.  Instead of focusing on ourselves, we focus on the One who loves us.

During trials and unexpected life happenings, we can find peace and joy through reading Scripture.  As you read the Psalms, you will find that those who wrote these words also had struggles, and they tell of deep pain, real love, and overcoming.

Something to think about.

Rest

Recently I read a devotional about the importance of sleep. You can read it here.

Reflecting on this devotional, about the importance of rest, brought a realization that whilst we need to ensure we work and meet our obligations and commitments unless we are well rested and refreshed, our ability to do all we've committed to will be comprised.

After so many years of running on almost empty, health and the ability to rest well becomes compromised. Once this occurs, it is difficult to maintain keeping up with commitments, resentment can occur, and work performance and health are impaired.

Psalm 3:5 says, "I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me."

What are some ways we can ensure we are having adequate rest?

• Say No.  There are times when we need to say no. Without refreshment, we cannot fulfill the commitments made. So, review your commitments to helping others, and do a few well, instead of having resentment trying to do many. Be polite in declining requests and be prayerful about what you are to do and what you are not to do.
• Mark your diary by planning time out.  Block sections of your diary out, even on the occasional Saturday! Take this time to rest, to do something different with the family.  For example, you might like to visit a new attraction, or take a family drive, or have a picnic.
• Spend time reading the Bible and praying.  Exodus 33:14 tells us, The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Taking time out to be in the Lord's presence and resting in him helps us to (a) draw closer to the Lord and know him better, (b) not worry so much because we are assured in him, (c) we can be rested and refreshed in his presence.

Now if you are so tired that you have trouble staying awake, you're not going to be able to pray well or make good decisions. If you are running on empty trying to work, care for your family, ensure your home is tidy and meals are on the table, and try to meet commitments within the community, then some tough decisions might have to be made.  

I am not saying that we don't contribute, or that we expect others to do everything for us.  To be able to make balanced, wise decisions, engage with others, work well, and pray we need to ensure we are having refreshing rest so that we can accomplish all that needs to be achieved.

Decluttering - more than just cleaning out a space

When some people hear the word 'Declutter', they inwardly groan, roll their eyes, or make excuses.

For years, I held onto 'stuff'. There was no real reason except, that in the back of my mind, I reasoned it might be needed one day and we had worked hard to obtain it.

Then in 2020, the world turned upside down. We began going through the stored boxes in the shed. Opening some of the boxes revealed items that had been packed from moving back in 2007! 

During the Christmas holidays at the end of 2020, I began the process of 'decluttering' the house.

Beginning wasn't easy. I read articles, watched shows, and started small.

After winter and then after again Christmas, I always felt overwhelmed by so much stuff around the house. Everyday cleaning seemed to be moving items around but never decreasing the volume of things.

We had talked about installing furniture to display our treasured pieces. So beginning with the bookcase, then progressing to wardrobes, kitchen cupboards, excess and old clothing, toys, DVD's, and items, we slowly began decluttering. 

Now in 2023, the house is easy to clean and maintain. I have time to appreciate my home. 

With the children now grown and living their own adventures, the house is much quieter. Having our space decluttered and simple allows us to enjoy time with friends, and not be overwhelmed, or stressed by piles of items. 

One of our pastors shared a quote in our weekly newsletter some time ago and this challenged me to think about what items I was holding onto and why. The quote: "Hold loosely to the things of this life, so that if God requires them of you, it will be easy to let them go."

Decluttering, I found, wasn't just throwing everything out. Going through the process, helped me appreciate what I have, what we need, enjoy and use. Giving items away to others, charity, etc meant what we no longer needed was repurposed by others. 

Instead of hours and hours of cleaning each week, the house can be tidy in a short time.  

Yes, there's still the 'deeper' cleans to be undertaken, such as windows, walls, etc. But the general, day-to-day cleaning takes a short amount if time, allowing me to undertake other roles and projects.

If you are considering decluttering, be mindful about why you want 

to do this. Consider seriously what you need, what can be repurposed, donated or sold.

Be realistic and most of all, be kind to yourself in the process.