Earth is crammed with heaven

Today I'm over at She Loves Magazine. I love traveling. I love planning what I’m going to take, and which case I’m going to pack it in. I don’t like to show off, but I’m an expert packer. Five of us go on holiday for a fortnight with one bag of hand-luggage each. If you roll things really tightly you’ll be amazed how much you can cram in. To continue reading, click on the link http://shelovesmagazine.com/2013/light/

It's Friday. The day we link up at Lisa-Jo's place. Today's prompt is SHE. She used to be a dancer That girl over there. Not ballet or tap But in worship. She never knew she could until someone saw potential And asked the question And the rest As they say is history. She loved the way it made her feel Stretchy Bendy Worshipful Alive Free And when she danced She danced for the Father Who knew her Saw her Loved her She danced alone In small groups On small stages And once at a top London venue But still for Him Always for Him She never hung up her dancing shoes because she never had any. But it all stopped after a while New roles and new responsibilities took their place. And now that dancer is wrapped in layers Of motherhood And chocolate And life. She used to be a dancer That girl in the mirror. She dances rarely now. But when she does she smiles And laughs And sings along. And catches a glimpse of a future day When th...

A plastic measuring jug made me cry today. You know how cheap and nasty they can be. Actually it wasn't the jug's fault, More a combination of straws and camels. The day started at Frankie & Benny's. I love a breakfast meeting All that list making over eggs and bacon. This one was with Ryan and Chris. Our last free day together before Ryan goes to Uni. Lots to accomplish; And the realisation for me that my first-born Is really and truly flying the nest. I left them in PC World buying a laptop And went on to Sainsburys to do the food shop. I can never resist a wander round their home dept And it was there I found a fleece throw. That's its official title. In reality I thought it could go on his bed at uni. In case he gets chilly, officially. In my mind it's soft and warm and comforting In case he's a bit homesick. And as I rested it against my face I was instantly transported to 1994 And my precious boy was snuggled up in his blanket ...

Your life brought new life to mine. From the first moment That blue line shouted I'm here! Squirming Wriggling Growing in secret. You heard my heartbeat loud and strong. And when I heard your answering one I breathed Relief Assurance Hope. I never understood What being Mum to you would mean. That in caring for you I would learn to love Deeper Harder Stronger. How in loving you I would become more of myself. Thank you for helping me learn the craft of motherhood. For the laughter Fun Questions Anger Fear Tears that you bring. And for the love Deep, deep love. As you set off on your new adventures Know how proud I am of you How amazed I am that you are mine That in loving you, I grow closer to God himself. Hold your head high as a child of God. Live Learn Laugh Love Be who you are Precious and dearly loved.

My name's Karen and I'm afraid of September. It's not an irrational thing. September has form. This month has often been disastrous for my family. Depression Illness Frustration Overwork And last year, dealing with the sudden death of my father Mean that when I think about the coming month I feel anxious Overwrought Afraid. And this Sept has lots of possibilities for fear As between the five of us Two of us are settling into new jobs One leaves home to go to Uni One goes to college And one goes to a new school. So you see? I have every reason to be afraid. And already the anxiety has started And tears come too readily And I want to lock us all away And keep us safe. I read a blog about Isaiah 51:12 today "I, I'm the one comforting you. What are you afraid of, or who?.... You've forgotten me, God who made you." (MSG) And while it's not completely true for me, It is partly. I haven't forgotten God But maybe I'...

Last year On this day We lost my Dad. Suddenly His heart failed And he was gone. Today feels strange. I have tried to be normal. But inside I feel numb. Alone. Walking around like a zombie. Struggling to answer straightforward questions. Mind anywhere but where it's supposed to be. It won't last. I know this. But today is a day of intense emotion Vivid memories And the painful reality that Dad is no more. But his love His voice that I can still hear in my head His smile His laugh His big bear hugs Every good memory I have of him These are the things that will last. "Weeping may endure (last) for a night... Joy comes in the morning."

So.... This is a bit of a tricky one. I don't want to offend anyone, But in the interests of honesty And my desire to be real I feel I need to write. You see I can be quite good at bearing a grudge. I feel resentment quite easily. Jealousy rears it's ugly head too often in my life. And over the past few weeks I've returned again and again to people I thought were my friends, but have hurt me. You see I'm a nurturer. My maternal instinct takes over and I want to fix people. And that's what happens over and over. I open our home Our family life And our ministry to people that don't have the kind of support network I do. Maybe it's a form of gratitude? A kind of 'freely you have received...freely give?' And I always thought that was ok. It's who we are. It's what we do. If I was trying to impress, I called it incarnational ministry. But the problem is that people move on. Perhaps they don't need us in quite the ...