When God's in it

There is no time when you are more keenly aware of the grace of God than when a union or merger or lives results in solutions that both parties have been praying for. This became abundantly clear to both my management and myself this week when questions I asked of a particular business partner resulted in answers that they had been looking for, for quite some time now. It was abundantly clear that my specific skill set had been necessary in order to get this result.

God has ordained this working relationship and brought this about in the most amazing way and more and more we are discovering the uniqueness of this divine paring.

I believe that God desires to do the same work in each of our lives, to bring us into contact with people for whom we will become the blessing they need in order to grow and excel and who's specific gifts, talents and abilities will be a blessing both ways. It does not only apply to business but to romantic relationships, friendships and also general contacts we meet.

The question is, will you listen to the Holy Spirit to guide you along the path you must take to make these divine connections? More often than not we allow our own desires to direct us instead of listening to God.

I want to encourage you today to open make the connections you make a matter of prayer and not just a matter of chance.

Work paradigm

In the 24 years that I have been working I have never experienced such a unique working environment as the one that I am working in now. I have been welcomed many times, but never with such warmth, respect, kindness and grace and I truly can feel that it is changing me.

This new experience has made me question my understanding of work ethics and culture. Is the notion that respect must be earned before it is given really true? I think not! When someone questions a mindset are they being argumentative, or curious and trying to understand their place and purpose. Is it possible for us to welcome new ideas without being threatened? Is it possible to handle someone with care who may be heartbroken from life experiences and pull out the best in them in doing so?

I had truly never thought these things were truly possible until now.....and now I believe all things are possible! If allowed this much freedom, grace and support so early on is possible, then what great heights could I truly achieve if I give the same work ethic here as I have given my whole life. I am beginning to feel a bit like Moses after being called out of desert....I believe these next 40 years of my life could just possibly be the best ever and to that truth I will now cling.

The words from a well known hymn ring out in my heart, “He has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light!” I believe now that these words could mean far more than just a departure from evil to be guided into Christ's truth, they could also mean being called out of sadness and depression to a place of happiness and fulfilment.

Yes, in this I choose to believe...can you?

House and Home

In all the years that I rented space I was never really allowed to decorate the way that I wanted too because land lords don't really want holes everywhere. As a result I limited my collections to moveable decorations. When I bought my house however I knew instinctively that I did not want a bare and sterile space.

Strangely it has taken longer than I thought it would, but I actually have finally reached a point now where my home is filled with colour everywhere. I even have a few pieces of my own hanging on my walls now and one of my favourite spots is my heritage wall with all my family black and white photos hanging.

We decorate the walls of our houses to turn them into homes, but what do we do about making our hearts a place where the Holy Spirit can dwell? God desires to work in and through all of us and the greatest invitation we could give Him to dwell in us is a willing and humble heart. Even through life's darkest times if we are willing to open ourselves up to God, He will come and dwell within us and make us His divine and glorious home.

Age of Grace

It has been a very long time since I have experienced a season of not only frequently answered prayers but of grace as well where I feel that God is tending to my every need. I am so happy to be in a season right now where that is a reality. My new change in lifestyle is taking time to show all the results I want or need but I know in time I will figure things out.

To give a very recent example of God's grace in action, on Sunday I drove through to children's church. I was using props for my story so had one more package than normal and by mistake I forgot to pack my laptop. Now this would have previously been a major catastrophe for me as I have come to rely heavily on my precalculated routine to keep the kids in check. What made matters worse is that I only discovered my carelessness when I was about to turn down the street my church is in, which is quite a distance from home, there was no turning back to fetch it.

Well, I quickly resigned myself to my fate (with images of little hooligans running amok), so I figured I was going to have to dig deep and improvise a smart solution fast. Imagine my surprise when I walked into the venue and there was music and videos already playing and I could see a brand new PC in full swing. To top it all, our lesson was saved there too. God had been gracious indeed! It meant that baring a few minor glitches I was able to pull it off and thoroughly enjoyed the lesson.

I have said it many times before....God answers our prayers...but His way! When we have faith in Him, He truly can do the miraculous and provide everything that we need. If your faith has been weak, draw encouragement from this story, God truly sees your need.