rewards are better

Loving your enemies.  Sounds easier said that done and honestly a little scary.  But it definitely does neither you or them any favors by holding onto anger or past hurts.  It doesn’t help you, it just turns you bittter and resentful over time – and who wants to be that!

I know for me there have been people who have let me down, who have disappointed me or not turned out how I expected. But holding onto it doesn’t allow you to move forward, it holds you back thinking about how it used to be or how they hurt you.

Often for me, it’s my own silent unconscious expectations I put on others that lead to me being disappointed. Because they are never going to live up to how I think they should act. That’s all on me!

Instead, I’ll be making strong steps forward to be kind and to just simply try. To be the one to reach out, not because I think it should be their turn or why not them and always me. Not for anything in return but because compassion should always be the response. Because I know the reward is going to be SO much greater in the end!

why hello there winter

Winter in Australia.  It doesn’t really exude ideas of snow capped mountains and rugging up in all the winter warmer fashion – especially for here in Queensland.

But it is my favourite time of the year in Queensland.  Mainly because its the only time it feels like its not Summer.  I swear I’m living in the wrong state though – Summer is my least favourite weather!

But Winter 2017 means that 5 months of the year is already gone.  Summer and Autumn gone!  And its been a wonderfully happy filled, busy, roller coaster of a time – that feels like its literally happened in only 2 months, not 5!

It’s been a time where I’ve learnt to really listen to my inner self and stop if I feel things are getting too much or too busy.  Things don’t have to be hectic and exhausting all the time – life is too short to not enjoy it.  This came in the form of taking a break from full time study.
I’ve recognised more than ever the importance of a God first life.  Where putting Him first makes everything else flow and so much easier.  The constant reminder of you are not your own strength, you have His strength, is an instant comfort.
I’ve been reminded about the importance of quality time with my husband and how easy it is to get into routine without making set, non distracted time with each other.  Our time has been in the way of board game time  (the game Splendor is a really fun game for two) or in walks to local coffee shops.
Finally, I’ve realised a lot of hard work goes into cooking a whole lamb. Even though I wasn’t the one cooking it, just being a part of my husband doing it was exhausting enough!

So bring on Winter.  Where the days are short, the skies so much more blue and the cuddles and sleep ins that much better!

Growth game strong

“if you knew me based on who I was a year ago, you don’t know me at all.  My growth game is strong.  Allow me to reintroduce myself”.  (author unknown).

It’s a pretty apt quote to start the year as well as restarting writing on my little blog space, which I really have missed.  But what better time than the new year (and with a cute new blog layout too)!

And what a year it will be.  Where I am not setting any resolutions but goals.  Where reading more, eating well and trusting God are top of the list!

Then comes goals to go camping once every few months, (and purchase a tent!) more beach trips (to appease my beach-starved husband) and to have our vege garden fruitful and multiply so we can eat our own home grown food!

And that’s it.  The rest just falls under trying to make the most of life and cut down on the usual first world “issues” that we all face.  Less TV, less social media, spending less, refusing bad food, exercising more.  Very lucky we are to have these things as our “issues” thats for sure!

It will be a year of growth and remaining strong in His word and His promises in His love, without compromise or fears of what others may think.

It will be a GREAT year full of growth and staying strong in my faith through ALL things!