Exploring faith and life
However stressed or pressured you may feel ….. remember to take it one day at a time. Jesus came to bring peace and joy ….. not stress and worry. He came to save us from sin ….. not to lead us into debt and more guilt. He came to show us what the Father is like ….. to demonstrate how we should live ….. and ultimately to die in our place so we could go to Heaven. Let’s keep things in 
I remember experiencing a very strong cyclone while living in Fiji. It was frightening! Fortunately ….. our home was fitted with shutters and the roof was secured ….. but I still remember the sound of the wind. Then suddenly ….. it went silent! We thought it was over but discovered it was the ‘eye of the storm’ passing over us ….. and that there was more to come! The ‘eye of the storm’ is the safest place to be! When the storms of life enrage against you ….. remember you are the apple of God’s eye! Stay there ….. and no matter what’s going on around you ….. you will be safe! Thoughts and prayers going up for Fiji today!
In the busyness of the season ….. don’t forget to stop and smell the roses! A walk through the rose garden will put things into perspective. It will make you aware that you are part of something much bigger than the things that concern you ….. and therefore you can hand them over to the One who cares more than you do. You may have difficult people or situations to deal with. Even roses have thorns ….. they are part of life. But they don’t allow the thorns to overshadow their beauty. 
Summer is here ….. and with it come the hydrangeas! These beautiful vibrant coloured blooms are a feast for the eyes ….. and definitely brighten the gloomiest day. If you are feeling a bit low ….. look at the trouble God went to to create these for you to enjoy. You are so much more valuable to Him than the flowers!
As I was walking the other day ….. I was drawn to the ‘Bog’ by a very loud noise. It took me a while to discover what was making the sound as this little fella was well camouflaged. I later discovered that he was a male trying to attract a female 😳 ! It gives a whole new meaning to having a ‘froggy throat’! 
Our lovely niece graduated from Epsom Girls Grammar School last night. She came from Rarotonga 4 years ago and boarded at the school. We’ve watched her grow from a shy young girl into a confident young woman. She has battled through changes in climate ….. culture ….. and covid! This year it didn’t look like she would be able to finish her education ….. but God opened doors for her at the right times ….. and here she is graduating! We give honour to her parents for their hard work and sacrifice ….. and to God for His provision and faithfulness. Go forward with Him, Alana. He has wonderful plans for your future!
It’s celebration season with graduations and end of year break ups. Some will receive certificates or trophies ….. the majority won’t. Most of us fall into the ‘average’ column! But whether you pass with honours ….. just scrape through ….. or even fail the exams ….. God sees you and has a plan for your life. Don’t let your school reports determine your future ….. and don’t let your awards ….. or lack of ….. determine your value or potential. Seek to be the best ‘you’ you can be ….. and ask God to show you how to fulfil His purpose for your life. Congratulations on finishing what has been a challenging year! You did great! 
After school yesterday I took my grandies to a park where they did some rock hunting. People hide painted rocks for others to find and re hide for someone else. It’s quite exciting to find one ….. but even better to know someone else will experience the same excitement. God loves to play this game! He hides treasures in His Word that have to be sought after ….. and sometimes dug out. Then the person who discovers the treasure shares it with others. He also puts treasure in people that has to be drawn out sometimes. The most precious things take time and effort to discover. Happy treasure hunting. 