The Unwritten Laws of Life

Some people call it 'Murphy's law' or 'sod's law'.

Today after the kids were all tucked up in bed, my youngest little boy starts calling for me. I figure it is just for another hug, but to my shock, I found his leg well and truly stuck between the wall and his bed. Now u might be thinking, just move the bed, (o if only it were that simple) but this is a solid wood, triple bunk bed.. it is not going to be budging anytime soon. I started to freak out a little bit when his leg didn't move even the tiniest little bit when I tried to wiggle it out (was seeing a broken leg from pulling it out, in my overactive imagination), so I go to find my mobile (cell) to call husband to come home and help (he's at a church meeting). I discover that I left my phone in the car (hardly ever do this.. but you can bet I will when I need it the most). I needed my mobile as it was the only thing that had record of husbands new mobile number on it! Now a little more panicked, as I realize I really need to try and figure this out by myself, I go back to try and move leg again. Nothing! Little one cries every time I attempt a move.. o help! What am I going to do! Really panicking now.. and think I HAVE to get hold of husband. So I call pastors wife and explain that I had to get hold of my husband, but can't etc.. and she says she can call someone who'll be there.. the short end of a long story, husband finally gets the message and makes his way home. In the meantime, after phoning pastors wife, I go back to son to try again to get this leg out. I try a different approach.. nothing. My poor baby! My poor, SILLY baby! Trying to stay calm so son doesn't start freaking out. I am thankful that he is not screaming his head off, but is only crying when I try to move his leg. I try again and again.. nothing! Decide to give it one more go.. there was nothing new to try, I didn't really do anything different, but somehow it budged a little bit. With the chunkiest part of his calf released it was just a case of careful maneuvering to get the rest of the leg and foot out. (MASSIVE SIGH) I sit back on his bed, almost out of breath from the panic, and sternly say, "don't ever do that again!" Then proceed to explain about not putting legs or anything else into small gaps.. mmm.. what's the betting he took that conversation on board? yeah.. I thought so too!

So.. next thing I know.. hubby arrives home.. dashes in the house and I have to say.. darling I'm so sorry, I've managed to get it out and I've called you home for nothing! :S

Murphy's law.. kids will put body parts into gaps that are too small, you will not have mobile phone when u REALLY need it - either that or it will be flat, problems are solved after you've called someone to help, but before they arrive and when event is all over, you'll find the phone that you thought you didn't have! (yes I had it all along!)

The Beauty & Innocence of Children

It was Sunday the 14th of February and my 2nd sons 4th birthday. It was turning out to be a lovely birthday for him. He had a party in the afternoon and it was loud, busy, and lots of fun. It was during this time that I was overwhelmed by the beauty and innocence of my sweet boys. We'd all sat down on the lounge floor, after filling our plates with cake and other goodies. For the first time since the party started it had gone pretty quiet while everyone was tucking into their yummies. All of a sudden, out of the blue, my eldest jumps up, starts walking towards me and loudly declares.. "Mummy.. I love you so much!" (AWE!) then my youngest promptly turns to me and says.. "Love you all day long Mummy" and finally birthday boys jumps up and also declares his love for me! In front of all their friends (and mine) :O) What a happy moment for me. I sat there afterwards (my heart skipping with joy) thinking.. it won't be long until they will be too embarrassed to declare their love for me.. if they even wanted to, which will probably be debatable. I was thinking how lovely it is that they have no fear of what others think of them by what they say.. no embarrassment, just beautiful, innocent child minds. How I want to push the pause button now.. cling on to the loud declarations of love, cling onto the beautiful innocence which will all too soon be gone.

In the eve of the next day, I came back to these thoughts and had an intense desire to prevent my children from having to go through the awakening to the real world. Not wanting them to grow up, because I know that that means pain, hard lessons, disappointment. I love these little boys so much and I don't want them to have to go through any of the hard stuff. But then I realized.. if they did not go through the hard stuff, they would have no life at all, they would not learn how to relate to people, they wouldn't understand real love, they wouldn't understand sacrifice. Then I started thinking about how God loves us. How He disciplines us, sends us through fires to strengthen us.. He must feel like I do, He must have the desire to not want harm to come to us.. to not want us to go through these valleys that we walk, but He knows what is at the other side of that valley, He knows the blessings He is going to pour on us during the valley and He knows the understanding and the deeper faith that we will have afterwards.. it is a reward, a treasure, which is completely priceless. He promises to walk with us and even carry us through these valleys, so we are never, ever alone. As awful and as tough as some of the trials I have had to walk through in my life, I always end up saying afterwards that I wouldn't change it because of what I learned from it and the blessings that were poured out on me at that time, but goodness I couldn't do it again! Trials and difficulties come for our good.. to train us and strengthen us, to mold our characters to be more like Jesus. And that, of course, for a Christian is our ultimate desire - to be like Jesus. He gave us a perfect example, and as twisted as it may seem, we should be thankful for the trials that come our way, as it is only through these, that we are transformed into His likeness. What a privilege that He would take the time to gently mold us. He is the potter.. and we are the clay.

So with all that thought out in my mind, I can look forward to watching what God will do in my children's lives.. how He is going to mold them into His likeness. It will be hard and painful to watch as the refining process takes place, but how much joy it will bring to see the transformations. O how wonderful it will be to see the hand of God at work in my children's lives.

For now though.. I shall savour every last minute of the sweet innocence! :O)

Ever Feel Invisible?

A friend of mine shared a link with me to a YouTube clip. It is called 'The Invisible Woman'. It was a skit by the author of the book 'The Invisible Woman'. I was intrigued after watching the clip and proceeded to buy the book. I have been blessed by it.

Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

The Invisible Woman by Nicole Johnson

Synopsis:

Now you see me... now you don't
Charlotte Fisher has two children, a pretty good marriage, and a very big problem - she is invisible. Her husband and kids can see the clean socks in their drawers and the hot food on the table, but they cannot see her.
She's disappeared into the anonymity of being the wife, the mum, the butter getter, the milk pourer, the laundry washer, and all the other terms that describe a behind-the-scenes woman who holds life together. She's a pair of hands to fix things, an apron to cook meals, a clock to tell time, and even a nameless driver to chauffeur family and friends wherever they want to go. She's invisible!
Do you sometimes feel like an invisible woman?
Step into Charlotte Fisher's invisible shoes and walk through the daily responsibilities she fears are erasing her life. Discover through her eyes the great cathedrals of Europe and the divine secrets their dedicated-but-nameless artisans unlock for her. And then, alongside Charlotte, find the inner beauty and eternal significance that can only be found through living an invisible life, a life that is constantly seen, known, and blessed by the One who really matters - the God who sees all invisible women.

Love speaking loudly

Love.. so hard to put into words and yet, when thought is put into it, so easily expressed through what we do. When someone says, "I love you", it is special of course, but it means so much more when there are beautiful actions behind it. This morning the love my husband has for me spoke so loud and clear.. it truly melted my heart.

The horrid alarm clicked on at silly o'clock this morning (5:20). I turned over to my husband and said.. "I feel like I haven't slept" (kids). There really wasn't much more spoken other than.. "have a good day" etc. I promptly fell back to sleep and hubby got ready for work. I was woken again at 6:50 by my alarm clock (youngest son). Managed to have some cuddle time before being dragged out of bed to feed my little lovies their breky. If only I knew the surprise waiting for me in the kitchen!

Looking half alive, with serious bed hair and wrapped up in my dressing gown, I slowly dragged myself towards the kitchen. "What's that?" I ask myself.. did I leave a dirty pan on the stove? 'sigh'. Walking over to take a closer look, I see the pan has contents in it... none that I had put there.. it was a soup. In that moment I realized my thoughtful, loving husband had made dinner for tonight, so that I wouldn't have to after a rough nights sleep. I knew I was loved.. much more so than him just saying "I love you", but because he had displayed it in such a thoughtful way.

I've spent the rest of the morning thinking about love and actions. Love is the most important commandment. I'm thinking about how I can make my husband feel as loved and as special as he made me feel this morning... and my boys.. what can I do that would speak love loudly to them today? How about you? What can u do today that would show someone that you really love them? Maybe someone who would be deeply touched by a phonecall, a short message hidden in a lunch box, or a card/love letter. When u start putting you mind to it.. there are endless possibilities! Have fun.. speak love loudly!

The Journey That Is Life.

The Journey that is life. So many twists and turns, ups and downs.

Moments of sheer indescribable and overwhelming happiness.

Moments of utter despair and deep sadness.

We all walk this journey that is life. Let's walk.... and rejoice together in each others moments of happiness, and be there to comfort each other in the moments sadness.