Mirror Image

Sue’s Views
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you see your imperfections and blemishes ….. or do you see a ‘work in progress’? We never see things as they actually are because we look through filters. The filters of shame ….. regret ….. disappointment ….. comparison ….. unrealistic expectations. Only God sees us as we really are because He sees our hearts. The more we focus on Him ….. the more we will become like Him. We become like the people we spend the most time with. When He looks at you ….. He sees someone to die for!

School Holidays

Sue’s Views
How are the school holidays going? The kids might be on holiday ….. but for Mums and Dads it’s learning time! Learning to be patient ….. finding new things to do ….. and discovering how your children are wired. It’s a good opportunity to strengthen their giftings ….. and to encourage them in their weak spots. Get them involved in chores ….. even if you have to do it again! It builds good work ethics and a sense of achievement! I love this throwback pic!

Till Death Us Do Part

Sue’s Views
How’s your marriage? A strong and healthy marriage is not about romance and seeing eye to eye. It’s about two flawed people who choose to meet the needs and interests of the other. The vows we make are not just sentimental words. They speak of perseverance through the hard times ….. times of sickness ….. times of lack ….. times of regret. There’s a reason why it ends with ‘Till death do us part’. It will take a whole lifetime for two to become one! It has to be worked at. So many give up when things get a little tough. So hang in there! You are building a strong foundation for future generations!

Desert Experiences

Sue’s Views
When you look at planet earth ….. you see a wide variety of environments. There are rain forests ….. mountains ….. coastal regions ….. lakes and rivers ….. and deserts! I wonder why He didn’t just make the whole earth a perfect balance of these. I mean no one chooses to go to a desert for a vacation. A place that is dry ….. barren ….. and monotonous! And yet God saw fit to include vast areas of this kind. He made plants and wildlife especially suited to such and environment. That shows me that God is as concerned and intentional about every area of our lives. In the overall scheme of things ….. those desert experiences are necessary to bring balance and perspective. If you are going through a desert season ….. be encouraged! There are lessons that can only be learned in such a place. But there are better things ahead. And even in the desert ….. God has placed an oasis as a time of refreshing!

Work

Sue’s Views

Work is an important part of life. We so enjoy our leisure time when we’ve worked hard. It helps us feel productive and gives us purpose. It’s so wonderful seeing the next generation at work ….. and enjoying it! What a team! I just hope Maverick still enjoys washing dishes when he’s older!

Temptation

Sue’s Views
Are you facing temptation? We all do! It usually comes in the form of a question. ‘Did God really say not to do that?’ ….. ‘What’s the harm in just trying it?’ ….. ‘Doesn’t He want me to be happy?’ We don’t see the whole picture ….. but God does. The Bible says that when we are tempted ….. God always makes a way of escape.

Memories

Sue’s Views

As I was walking yesterday ….. the path was littered with a mixture of autumn leaves and camellia flowers. I found myself thinking about people who have influenced my life. The leaves reminded me of the the more distant past. People who have passed on ….. but have helped shape me into who I am today. The flowers reminded me of the many wonderful people in my life right now. I began my walk asking God to show me the next step ….. I finished thanking Him for the past and present. I felt Him say ‘ Just enjoy where you are right now!’

Curveballs

Sue’s Views
Does it seem like your life has taken a detour? Things were going along nicely ….. and then you were thrown a curve ball? You feel like you are going in the wrong direction ….. heading away from your goal? That’s when we need to trust our Heavenly Father ….. who sees obstacles in our path way before we do. Our ‘inconvenience’ may be to accommodate someone else’s need. Don’t worry! He will bring you back on course!

When life gives you lemons …..

Sue’s Views
We’ve all heard the proverb ‘When life hands you lemons ….. make lemonade!’ It’s actually really good advice. Every bitter experience is an opportunity to change it into something sweet. After the incredible ‘Red Sea’ miracle the Israelites came to a much needed waterhole …..  only to discover it was bitter and undrinkable. Of course they complained (as would most of us) ….. but God showed them a tree ….. a tree He had created ….. that made the water sweet. Why ….. you may ask? Because ….. without the bitter ….. we can never appreciate the sweet. But there is always something we can do to make the situation more palatable!

Recipe for Depression

Sue’s Views 

Depression and anxiety have reached epidemic proportions ….. but you may be surprised to know that the Bible has a lot to say about them. Often ….. those who experience the highest highs also experience the lowest lows. The prophet Elijah was such a man. After an amazing victory on Mt Carmel in which God used him to prove He is the one true God ….. the next chapter sees him running away and fearing for his life. Here’s God’s recipe for dealing with depression. 1. Rest  2. Food and drink  3. God got him to acknowledge where he was and what he was feeling. 4. God addressed his fears and assured him he was not alone. 5. God gave him a new assignment and gave him a companion to work alongside him. He will do the same for you if you allow Him to.