Whispers To My Heart-True Beauty Lasts Forever

You have been given new life, one that will never end.  You will live forever with me because God has promised it .
'People are like grass; their beauty like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and dies and the flowers fade and fall but God's promises never end.'

You are my precious eternal flower, beautiful beyond compare.  I hold you gently in my hands for eternity.
(Spoken to Nicole from 1 Peter 2:23-25)

Fishy Kisses

This week has been blissfully spent at the rather rainy Sunshine Coast.  We had a very special treat today at Underwater World, where both of the boys received a very special kiss.  I just had to share.

Jack grinned from ear to ear and loved being so close to this beautiful big seal.

Sam giggled, "Yucky, it tickles!"

Apparently the seal's whiskers were more than he could take.

What a beautiful experience, a great blessing, a memorable day :)

I've Lost My Way

These poems/verse/prayers that I write are a  part of my personal time with God.  They are simply sharing a little bit of my heart for God with you.  I only share them when he asks.  This post is a little longer than most.  So get comfy and settle in...

I've Lost My Way

By Nicole Watson

I remember days when each moment was a treasure,

Times when play and laughter, trouble and tears all held their own moment in time,

Not hurried, and swept and under the rug in my haste to move on.

Hot sunny days, crunchy grass, sprinklers filling the air with aqua haze,

Ice cream dribbling down my chin, stuck on my nose, laughter oh so sweet on the end of my tongue,

Riding barefoot on long dusty gravel roads, hair flying high in the breeze, scorching my face, I could fly, I could fly!

Rain racing upon the windows of the car, faster, faster, drops race and then out of sight, such delight,

Singing out loud to every song, I knew them all, so why not share, even if no one else in the car wanted to hear. 

Birthdays filled with wonder and anticipation, meaningful expectation, gazing in awe upon cake prepared with love. Sweet, sugary love from the heart of my mother.

All of these moments treasured like rolling a sweet candy around on your tongue, ensuring you get the whole flavour.

Too often today, I chew my candy.  Quickly tasted, quickly forgotten it seems.

When did I lose the ability to taste and savour this life?  Life that is so rich and beautiful filled with every good thing from heaven above?  When did I stop being thankful for each small thing, all now lost in a tangle of seemingly overwhelming circumstance. 

God showers his gifts upon us in a continual stream, beauty and meaning ever increasing.  It seems I have become numb under the constant stream of favour that flows from the throne of heaven itself.

When did I suddenly eat without savouring every bite, greedily consuming without reflection.

When did my body become imperfect, flawed it seems.

I remember being proud of my strong capable body, legs that could peddle fast, arms that could hug long and hard, hair that hung long down my back despite the tangles. 

Keep you eyes on Me…

When did I lose the ability to enjoy my family, friends, and all of life’s celebrations, all so busy, all so consumed with getting on to the next thing, no time to wait.

I remember when their was no one more important than family, complete trust, no hurt that could not be covered by forgiveness and kisses.  Celebrations were not a chore, a bore, a cover up for past wrongs and missed time.

Keep your eyes on Me…

When did I become so busy, must keep moving, don’t sit down, fit more in, still more to do yet.

Stop!  I have had enough already.  Where am I?  I have lost my way.  What is going on here?

Keep your eyes on Me, Keep your mind on Me, keep your heart with Me, the Keeper of your spirit, the Keeper of your soul, all will be well,  your life will be whole.

Oh!  The mercy of God is so great!  Forgive me…

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus-the only word that cover all wrongs.

Now my eyes are fixed on His face, I resolve to make each day full of purpose, savouring the most insignificant moments.  Moments filled with the twinkling of eyes and heart warming melodies of laughter. 

Moments filled with grieving tears and soul aching pain.

Moments now captured in time because I refuse to let them rush past unnoticed, unvalued, unloved.

Moments of awe when heaven reaches down and touches earth, that would have been lost except that my eyes have been opened.

So many of these lost moments, lost in the sea of memories, created by a world that does not value time or care to remember. 

How much more beautiful are gifts, when viewed through heavenly eyes.

Dazzling, blinding, each moment encased in beautiful love that cascades from the heavens. 

Moments like watching my son sleep, breathing soundly and deeply, I smell his warm sweet breath and I praise Him. 

Singing out loud at the top of my voice so He can hear me in heaven, with such joy and abandonment that I forget the neighbours can hear. 

Chase, me Mum!  Tickle me Mum!  Racing through the house, excitement and laughter filling the air, a pleasing aroma to God’s heart.

Inviting my friends to visit despite the mess, welcoming them into a home where hearts matter before the house.

Smelling the fresh rain upon the dusty ground and breathing in deeply, receiving the gift of a rainbow from God’s heart to mine.

I have found the way and it is not mine, but God’s.  Life in all of its rugged beauty and abundance comes from Him, the Creator of Gifts, the Creator of the Way, the Creator of Life.

I have finally found the way… time to start living each moment.

Two Years On

Tonight I have been thinking back to when Sam was born.  With the release of the book coming up, and thinking about NETS, it has brought with it some reflection.  In the picture below Jack was 2 and a half, the same age that Sam is now. Here he is holding his little brother.  He loved him then, and nothing has changed. In fact over the last year I have had the privilege of watching them grow into little mates. The only time they leave each other is to sleep. 

From the time Sam was a baby they have always had a bond.  They are so different in nature and yet they seem to complement each other because of it.  Jack is rough and active and only sits still long enough to eat.  Sam is more laid back physically but has fierce determination and thinks everything through. They are quite a formidable team.  No wonder I am exhausted at the end of each day.

As I look at them here in their super suits, I have decided that they are super.  Jack is super becuase he has stood through his brother through thick and thin, pain and laughter, when he's well and when he's not.  Sam is super because he takes everything in his stride with such joy and peace..oh and he has half a heart but lives life more than most of us do with a full heart. 

Father God please help me to live a super life, using all of the gifts you've given me. And help me to raise these boys to give you glory and fulfil your purposes for them.  Thanks for being our Super Saviour Jesus.

Jeff's Walk-NETS

Jeffs Walk Promo Long Version from Gary Schweikert on Vimeo.

I found this amazing man on Facebook tonight.  Jeff is walking across Australia from the East to the West, raising awareness and money for NETS (Newborn Emergency Transport Service).  Sam needed the NETS ambulance on the day of his birth to be transferred from the Women's Hospital to the Children's Hospital.  They were awesome.  He has already walked from the South to the North previously, raising funds for the Deaf and Blind association.  Check out his site and learn more about his journey and his compassion for those who need help.

Time to Soak

This past week has been a struggle for me.  On the outside I have been falling apart.  I am tired, have headaches and other aches.  The house has been a mess, the kids have been a mess, I have been a mess.  Yesterday I admitted to Don, that although women are meant to be able to multitask, I am not one of them.  I like to do one thing and do it really well.  Otherwise I feel like I am half heartedly doing too many things.  I was one word:

O V E R W H E L M E D

I stayed this way for the afternoon.  I was frustrated with myself, and was having a pity party with only one guest, me.  Parties are no fun on your own and so I went to God's word looking for some sympathy. 

I got none.

Instead I got in trouble.

God reminded me that I was trying to do too much.  My children don't need my input every waking moment.  And most importantly I just needed to sit and soak in his presence.

I liken it to sitting in a hot bath and closing your eyes.  This helps your physical body.  I needed a soaking bath in the Spirit of God.  I needed him to soothe my tired spirit and revitalise my soul.  If your spirit is not right then if affects, your soul (mind, emotions) and that then shows in your body. 
Oh when will I learn to recognise the signs earlier?  When will I learn that if I don't have Daddy/daughter time with my heavenly Dad regularly, this always happens?  I talk with God all day while I work and play but I need time regularly where I just hang out with him.

 Forgive me Father, I've missed you.

Thankfully today God has flooded my heart with living water from the river of life.  I feel refreshed and alive and because of that my head is more clear and my body is not so tired.  Knowing Jesus truly is the only way I can have life and have it in abundance.

Are You Fully Convinced?

I had two little tigers on my hands this afternoon, literally.  As I watched these two little boys tigers prowl through the courtyard jungle hunting and pouncing, God spoke very clearly to me. 

"You too must be fully convinced.  Having faith like a child means you must be fully convinced."

When children role play, they are fully convinced they are who they are playing.  This week we have had cowboys, superheros and tigers in our home.  Each time I see the boys become totally immersed in their play.  Sometimes Jack will say to me, "Don't worry Mum, it's just me Jack", when I pretend to be scared of join in the game. 

Faith is all about being fully convinced.  We must be fully convinced that we are children of God, born again by His Spirit, to live the life that God has mapped out for us.  If we doubt and don't believe whole heatedly that we are a new creation, we are not walking in the grace and power that God has purposed for us. 

As you read the following passage, hear it direct frorm the heart of God to yours.  This is not just writing on paper, it is his promise for you and for me.  So let's live according to our inheritance in Jesus.  Let's live and love like children of the King.

For you are children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.  There is no longer Jew and Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham.  You are his heirs, and God's promise to Abraham belongs to you. (Galatians 3:26-29)(Emphasis mine)

One of God's promises to Abraham was that all of the nations of the world will be blessed because of his obedience to God (Genesis 22:18).  God sent that blessing in the form of his son Jesus.  He saved us from death and gave us the gift of eternal life.  Are you living as a new creation; serving, loving, hoping, giving all that you have each and every day? 

Kit up!  It's time to be tigers for Jesus.