Finding joy in the everyday

Can a girl have too many shoes? Do you wear all the shoes you own? Do you want more? Do you buy a new pair every season? Due to a foot problem, a young woman was required to buy a comfortable pair of shoes that would help her feet recover and due to the price, bought only one pair. This is what she discovered after wearing one pair of shoes all year: Ultimately, my year of wearing one pair of shoes taught me a few things: that you can learn to enjoy having fewer choices and that, truly, no one really cares what's on your feet. Unless it's especially bright, interesting or ugly, it's background noise. How do I know that? Not long before the shoes finally died, a colleague who'd seen me almost every working day for the past year stopped me in the hall and said: "Cute shoes! Have I seen those before?” Only being able to wear one pair of shoes has changed the way I dress as a whole. Because I physically can't follow some fashions th...

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have l earned in whatever state I am, to be content : I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. (Philippians 4:11-14) " None of us can control the environment of our lives completely. We try of course, and take every precaution to insult ourselves against external shocks. Nevertheless, accidents on the road stop traffic; storms crash down trees, biopsies come back positive. Th list is endless: flat tires, power outages, layoffs at work, sprained ankles, sick children. " (a) Have you ever really thought about what Paul was writing in the verses above — no matter the situation, sunny bright days or sitting beside a sick child, we must be CONTENT IN ALL THINGS AT ALL TIMES. To be cont...

Art Friday: The South Australian country side One very wet afternoon a few weeks ago, my two brothers, their wives and myself hopped in the car and went for a lovely drive in the countryside. The hills were emerald green and everything very damp — but as you can see, it was the perfect time for photography. Australia has the image of being hot, dry and brown — but as you can see from these photos, after a good winter, the hills are just beautiful.  What a view Once used in the manufacturing of hops These flowers are commonly known as Red Hot Pokers Grape vines covering the hills This building is for storing fruit - the area we were visiting is known for its apples, stone fruits etc

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,  and I will give you rest.  (Matthew 11:28) True restedness is a rare commodity today. We don't value it and we feel guilt if we have it.   None of our friends seem well rested and we are just too busy to find the time to rest.  How many people do you hear today talking about being tired, about not having a good nights rest, feeling weary but not knowing what to do.  It is simple—we need to find put aside our problems and worries, turn off our technology, switch off the endless news, unplug the music, close the newspapers and spend time with God, as only He can give us complete rest and provide us with everything we need.   Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:7) God desires rest for us because it does not come naturally to us.   To rest, we have to trust that God will take care of things for us. We have to trust that, if we take a day off, t...

My thoughts for the coming month Nothing lasts forever. The new car won't be new for very long, the clothes we buy don't last, the appliances in our kitchen seem to die so much faster these days. Nothing lasts except the Word of God. When I was young I was given the most beautiful candle. It was just too good to use, so I never burnt the candle and over time it got dusty, lost its lustre and in the heat of summer began to sag. In the end I had to throw it out. Sadly I never got to enjoy it when it was beautiful. Are you the sort of woman that hardly ever uses the best china or wear particular piece of jewellery because is too precious to wear? Do you have a sitting room that is just too good from the family to use, it is only for visitors? Do you have a special dress that hardly ever gets worn as its only for special occasions.  I think we all have items that are beautiful but never enjoyed.   Nothing lasts forever so why keep these things hidden away ...

John Everett Millais - Christ in the House of His Parents (`The Carpenter's Shop We are crazy about celebrities and cannot get enough of them—we demand the minutiae detail, we have an insatiable appetite for information about the rich and famous and women buy endless trashy magazines to look at the latest fashions wore by women they don't know but desperate to follow.  Hollywood actors, members of the royal family and even people who haven't done anything significant are followed and photographed on a daily bases and we find their imagines in our magazines, newspapers and on TV. These people often have huge social media presents — they love the attention and we are more than happy to idolise them.  However, the Saviour of this world never had His painting done when He walked this earth and we have no description of His looks. We no nothing of His appearance — how tall was Jesus, did He have a  beard, beautiful and handsome? Did Jesus have curly or straight h...

I love wearing scarves and wear them heaps. Scarves can be purchased for very little which means you can own lots of scarves and jazz up the same top in many different ways. Scarves come in every colour imaginable, fabric and length giving you lots of variation on how to wear a scarf.  Scarves can turn an ordinary top into something sophisticated.  Scarves can cover up a low neck line and create a modest outfit. Scarves can add colour and femininity to an outfit. Scarves can keep you warm and toasty in winter.  Scarves can be placed on the head, around the neck, over the shoulders, as a wrap,a belt  or even in your hair — scarves are a very versatile piece of fabric!! French women are known for their scarves and they know how to wear them both as a fashion statement and for comfort and warmth. Scarves are great for any season.  Add a brooch to a scarf to create a different look. Scarves can be a casual addition to...