Being Midwives to each other...

Have you ever wondered about why Jesus had to come to earth as a baby? Why did He not come in a cloud of glory with trumpets blowing and smoke billowing? The Old Testament God – that would have put fear into the hearts of unbelievers (and probably believers too…) here on earth! Why would He submit Himself to being born as a small vulnerable infant here on this earth and that in a time when it was very dangerous for any baby linked to the name Messiah to be born? Herod was growing increasingly mad with the thought that there was competition to his title ‘King of the Jews’ and we all know the tragic story…ends up giving the order to murder all the boy children under the age of 2. As part of my training as a nurse, I have completed training as a midwife. Every time I have had the privilege of helping another little baby into this world, the vulnerability of both the mother and the infant has struck me. As most women who have given birth will know, at the time when those labour pains are upon you, you are utterly and completely vulnerable. You cannot run away from danger and you are doubled over with pains that just never seem to end. For the baby it is also a potentially dangerous time, as there are many circumstances that can cause harm and even death to him or her as well as to the mother. But oh the joy of holding a perfect little thing in your arms and being able to hand him to parents who have waited for months and even years for that perfect moment is something that I will treasure! Now – imagine that for our God. A vulnerable little baby – a vulnerable young Mary – why? Perhaps because we worship a God who delights in us carrying each other’s burdens, helping each other along during our time of vulnerability. I believe that God wants us to be as midwives for each other. Yes – even the men. A midwife uses her skill to ‘stand in the gap’ for that unprotected woman who desperately needs comfort, assurance that all is well, and care. The midwife assists the young mother-to-be to give birth to what is ultimately so precious…new life. I believe that Jesus wants that from us. He wants us to help each other give birth – to new ideas, new life, hope – and He wants us to protect that which is new and vulnerable in each other, until it has had a chance to draw breath and become strong. What an image! Would the world not be a better place if we (as Christians) could truly be known for our love and care? Blessings to you!

When last did you leap with joy?

“But for you who revere My Name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the Lord Almighty.

Malachi 4: 2 – 3

How beautiful is this image – I picture a lush green field and young, playful calves being released from the stall that keeps them captive and prevents them from enjoying themselves. Amazing how God uses this image of young calves that are basically not required to do anything but eat, drink, play and frolic! God delights in using images that are childlike - I think also that it is difficult for us as adults to trust Him just as a child, would unquestioningly trust his parent – but that is exactly what He wants from us. To put aside our lofty theories and clever arguments and gaze into His eyes and just trust… further to this image, I also believe that He uses the image of a child because He wants to renew us. He wants to recreate that freshness and inquisitiveness that we had as small children. To view the world that He created with the eyes of a little one – always questioning, but at the same time always trusting.

Turning our blessings into praise...

I grew up in an Afrikaans / English household and belonged to a church my whole life. I went to Sunday school, was confirmed at the age of about 16 and was even one of the first female Deacons in the congregation that we belonged to as a family. And to be honest…I hated it. What I saw did not match up to what I was being taught. I felt that there had to be more to being a Christian than what I was experiencing and seeing. I visited a fairly Charismatic church called Harvest in Port Elizabeth and felt at home from the minute I walked in…a few weeks later I got saved during an evening meeting. Ever since then it has been an exciting journey with Him. I have at times loved Him desperately, ignored Him openly and simply just wandered completely off the path that He wanted me on. The biggest turning point came in 1999 when 2 days before my husband and I were due to get married, I was diagnosed with a bone marrow disease called Aplastic Anaemia. I was given 3 months to live if left untreated. So how’s that for an opening line to your fiancé? So – still want to marry me? Can’t promise I’ll be here in 6 months time… Long story short - he married me! That’s the beauty of marrying the person that God has set aside for you. But that’s another story altogether!
Basically how I came to write today’s entry is that I was listening to a song by Tree 63 (awesome band!!) this morning and the line that really touched me goes: “….You turn all my blessings into praise…”. How awesome is that? I literally threw myself on God’s mercy and grace. I believed at first that He would heal me. After showing me some truths in His Word, I started to believe that He had healed me. Notice the change in tense... I believe God wants us to know that it is done and then in faith, act as if it is done... And that was the turning point – it still took 2 years of chemotherapy and medication (sometimes up to 60 different tablets a day) and a further 5 years of remission in order to get where I am today – medically speaking completely cured! This is God – His faithfulness humbles me daily. I have no reason why He chose to save me. There were others in the hospital at the same time that did not live. I don’t know why and I will not even try to offer an explanation, but I want everyone to know what He did for me. So – turning all my blessings into praise is what today's entry (and my whole life) is about!
God is a God of miracles…even today.
Nothing is impossible with God...

Getting to know God every day...

I have been a committed Christian for 13 years now and God has never failed to amaze me with His goodness, mercy and grace.
I have to confess that at times I fall so far short of what I would like to be for Him. I wonder at times what He thinks of me... His Word says that I am loved by Him and that my name is carved into the palm of His hand. Isn't that amazing?
I am currently going through an extremely traumatic time in my personal life. I have questioned Him so much. I have been angry at Him so much and yet, He has been faithful and just. His love for me knows no bounds... I have found over the years that journalling my thoughts and His thoughts toward me (found in His word) have caused me to have a vital resource to look back on. Often He ahs spoken to me on a subject before and being typically human...I have failed to pay attention. Thus - the lesson comes around again. And again. And again if I am not careful!
Know this...God loves you as you are! You are the most precious child to Him! We all are - His love for us is something that we could never, ever fathom.
GO live life for Him!

The start of a new experience for me!

I am not an exciting person and I don't live a particularly thrilling life, however I do love writing and I love people. I have always journalled and have an insane requirement to record things in books. Probably a bit of narcissism there...! I have been blessed to meet so many people all over the world and love sharing my heart with them. So - what better way than to blog? Admittedly this is a completely new experience for me. I'm hoping to use it as an online journal and online journey into myself. I have had some really traumatic experiences this year, however, I have also been blessed by the most extraordinary goodness! If what I learn can help you... that alone is blessing to me. As our Jewish brothers and sisters say - It would be a 'mitzvah' for me. Be encouraged - cling to Jesus! I don't claim to be a fantastic Christian. At times I am a desperate one. At times I am the greatest failure the faith has ever known. But fortunately for me my God has the most amazing heart and forgiveness and grace in abundance.

Share my experiences with me as I try to make sense of my current life situation and the road that God has placed me on.