If I had to live my life over...

In honour and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.  This was written by Erma after she found out she was dying from cancer.

If I had to live my life over…

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a  holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. 

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more. 

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. 

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. 

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. 

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.'

There would have been more 'I love you's, more 'I'm sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back.

Food for thought….

A life in front of God

"I will never leave you, nor forsake you".

We quote that scripture and meditate on it whenever we go through a difficult time.  We encourage each other with that scripture, and rightfully so.  But that scripture is like a coin that has a flip-side.

God is always with us.  He is not just with us on a Sunday when we are standing in church.  He is with you right this very moment.

So what are you busy with?

If you could see God standing next to you, will you still do what you are doing?  If you could see God in the car with you, will you still curse and swear at the driver in front of you?  If you could see God walking next to you, will your feet still walk towards that sin you know you shouldn't do?  If you could see God in your office, will you still flirt with your colleague?  If you could see God leaving work with you, will you still go to the bar and have one drink too many?  Will you still light that cigarette?  Will you still yell at your spouse? Will you?

God IS there, you just can see Him.

Has the coin dropped?

We are living a life with God, in front of God.  What does He see?

Did you know that life is short?

We plan our lives as if we have hundreds of years in front of us.  We work hectically to achieve more, earn more, travel more, do more.  And somewhere in between the race we are in, we try to make time for God.  It's the wrong way around.

We need to seek God's kingdom first, then the rest will come.  If we serve God, His favour will rest on us, meaning life will be easier.  His Spirit in us will help us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, meaning we will be much more lovable and likable to other people.  In short, we need to stop our nonsense and start serving God.  He is a jealous God who wants to be the first love in our lives.  Stop worrying over trivial things - serve God.

Matthew 6:33 says If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Life could be over at any moment.  There is no guarantee that you will have a warning that the end is near.  We need to make sure we are ready.  At any moment, we must be ready to appear in the front of God's throne.  Stop indulging in sin.  There is no time for that.  Stop fighting with people over petty issues - it's not worth it.  Make peace with the people that you are angry with.  Forgive all of them.  Ask forgiveness from those that are angry with you.  Get your life in order and serve God.  He will take care of the rest.

Rolling River God

I love Nichole Nordeman.  But this song is my favourite.  Rolling River God.  This song ministered to me so many times already and it still does.

Those people that irritate you daily?  They are shaping you so that you will be smoother in God's hand.  Let the lyrics of this song minister to you too.

• Songwriters: Nichole Ellyse Nordeman

Rolling River God, little stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through
So I am a stone, rough and grainy still
Trying to reconcile this river's chill

But when I close my eyes and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change and change takes time
And when the sunset come, my prayer would be this one
That you might pick me up and notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand

Sometimes raging wild, sometimes swollen high
And never have I known this river dry
The deepest part of you is where I want to stay
And feel the sharpest edges wash away

And when I close my eyes and feel you rushing by
I know that time brings change and change takes time
And when the sunset comes, my prayer would be just one
That you might pick me up and notice that I am
Just a little smoother in your hand

Rolling River God, little stones are smooth
Only once the water passes through

A strange place with a strange person

I didn't apply for this job - it was offered to me.  From the beginning I prayed that God will place me there only if it is His will.  And He did.  Initially, I got interviewed for a Business Analyst position and I got appointed as Project Manager.  Weird I know.  Less than one month there, I got assigned all the projects of one particular department and I moved there.  Only to find out that I don't belong.

Many times over the last few months, I wondered what I was doing there.  I am used to taking control and turning a place upside down with new processes.  I am used to making an impact and contributing value.  I am used to getting along with people, making friends easily and working in a team.  None of that is present.  I feel so lost.

This afternoon again, I cried out to God and asked why He placed me there.  What was the purpose?  And God answered immediately.  I am there to pray for a specific person.  That is all.

Have you ever encountered a person so emotionally wounded that he is antagonistic to every other person he encounters?  I work with such a person.  I just never realised before that he is the reason God placed me there.  There is a scripture in Isaiah that says God is looking through the earth to find someone who will be prepared to stand in the gap for somebody else.  I have been chosen to stand in the gap for this person.  That is the only reason I am there.

I won't be there for long - I know that.  God is already orchestrating other things due to happen soon.  That place is temporary.  As soon as I have done what God called me to do there, He will move me to another place.

Pray for me that I will be faithful.  That I will not take the cold shoulder personally.  That the words that come from his mouth will not hurt me.  Pray that God will shield me in love, and that His love will be the only thing this person will see.  Even more important, pray that God will heal him.  I need intercessors to stand in the gap with me.

Ups and Downs

Have you ever noticed this up and down cycle in life?  Just when you think you have everything sorted and you are well away, then something happens and you come down to earth with a crash.  Give the devil credit - he is diligent.  He is constantly looking for someone that he can demotivate.  He is constantly seeking to upset you life.  Be it your workplace, your marriage, your relationship with your children, friendships, relationships in church etc etc etc.  He doesn't want you to be happy.  And his favourite game is to make you feel guilty about your past.  Oh he gets so much joy if you get downhearted.

I have just the remedy for you this morning.  I am listening to it right now.  Juanita du Plessis' song "Ek vlieg hoog".  I include the lyrics for you.  May it bless you and lift your spirit!

Apologies to the English speaking people who might not understand the Afrikaans fully.

Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.

Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.Hoër as die son, na die Lig.Ek vlieg hoog.
‘n Reënboog vol beloftes voor want gister is verby.
Al my drome, ek gaan dit haal.
Want ek vlieg hoog.
Die berge kan maar val om my want ek weet ek is vry.
Ek sprei my vlerke, hoër.
Want ek kan!
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Ek weet ek sal nie moeg raak nie want Sy hande dra my.
As ek val tel, Hy my op en sê “Jy kan!”
Wat sal ‘n mens aan my kan doen, want ek weet ek is vry.
Ek sprei my vlerke hoër.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hoër as die wind van die verlede, dis agter my.
Hoër as die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Hou ek my oë op die wenpaal, voor my.
Hoog bo die son na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog.
Na die Lig.
Ek vlieg hoog. 

Die pad lê gelyk en uitgestrek, my lewe wag vir my.

‘n Arendsvlug op ‘n vaste koers met ‘n engel aan my sy.

 Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.

Op die wind van die Here se genade, rondom my.

My asem sal nie opraak nie want Sy asem is in my.

 Niks kan my meer bangmaak nie, niks sal my onder kry.

  Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.

Op die wind van die Here se genade, rondom my.

 Hoër as die storms van die lewe, dis onder my.

Op die wind van die Here se genade, rondom my.

Hoog bo die son.

Hoog bo die son.

The Passover Lamb

The past weekend was hard on us as a family.  Three of our goat ewes gave birth this weekend.  In total 5 kids were born.  Two were desperately small and couldn't reach their mother's teats.  So they were brought inhouse to be hand-reared.  But neither of them made it.  Both died.

It's so sad when our animals die.  We come to love them as children in our house.  And only knowing these two babies for two days, doesn't change that.  We all cried.

In the early hours of yesterday morning, just after the last one past away, I was crying in my bed.  And I thought about the passover lamb.

Many people in Biblical times bought their lamb at the temple grounds.  But many raised the animal in their house.  Can you imagine raising a little lamb in your house - taking all precautions possible for him to not get hurt?  Can you imagine having a little lamb that sleeps inside on one of the children's beds?  Can you imagine a little lamb that gets fed when the family eats?  Can you imagine how much you will grow to love that little animal?

Can you imagine having to offer him as atonement for your sins?  Think for a moment about that one animal in your house that you love so much.  Can you imagine having to slaughter him as atonement for your sins?  It's a terrible thought!

We can't even begin to feel what God must have felt, giving His Son, so that our sins can be forgiven.  We have no clue.  But can we at least start to appreciate the greatness of this offering?