Cynthia’s Blog

Have you experienced times in your life when “stuff” keeps happening, and prevents you from doing what you think you’re really supposed to be doing? You know; the kids get sick, one after the other, the dishwasher breaks down and floods the floor and causing you to waste half an hour cleaning up the mess, the dog breaks it’s leg and your husband needs you to drop everything and help him with something. Sound familiar? Times like that can get us really frustrated and uptight, or…………..
 
We can learn to recognise that these kinds of things are a part of life, and relax enough to go with the flow. On those days when “life happens” and your to-do lists go out the window, just remember that Jesus had to deal with constant interruptions too. BUT, those interruptions were actually opportunities for him to minister to people, and to teach his disciples by example how to live as a Christian! Interruptions were the most important part of his ministry on earth! In the same way, when things go wrong, you can look at the situation and see the opportunities rather than only the difficulties. You have the opportunity to show your children how to cope with adversity without losing it. And if you DID lose it already, you have the opportunity to demonstrate repentance and asking for forgiveness. You may have the opportunity to touch the lives of people you would never have come in contact with if this situation hadn’t come up - repair people, medical staff, the unexpected visitor and so on. It is very often the case that our children learn MORE through one real life drama than they do through hours of school work!
“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” James 4:13-16

Note that this does not say PLANNING is evil, rather the arrogant attitude that this is what we WILL do, regardless. I believe it is vital to plan and to make to-do lists. But after we’ve made them, we need to surrender them to God and allow him to lead us through our actual days. Some days, we will be able to follow our plans and get our to-do’s ticked off, and some days won’t be that smooth. But every day is still in the hands of God!

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21
 
When you place your life completely in God’s hands, you can rest KNOWING that he is completely in control. Relax and trust him - that takes off a huge burden!
 
If you don’t get things done today, there will be another day if it really is important. Don’t stress, don’t strain and strive. Just trust and obey!
 
I’ve had a few weeks myself when “life has happened”! We’ve been very busy with a series of vistors staying, which has been wonderful, but just when I thought things were about to get back to normal, my 10 yo daughter fell and broke her right arm above the elbow. I spent all of last Saturday at the hospital with her, and since then have needed to spend a lot of time comforting and helping her, as she is in a lot of pain, and unable to do many things for herself, though she is coping very well considering. This is her 8th fracture, so we’ve had plenty of practice. Even so, it does tend to throw a spanner in the works! It was my plan to have Unit 3 finished and released this week, but this has not been possible. I hate not meeting deadlines, but I know that I have a choice: get stressed, stay up all night finishing it and then be tired and grumpy with my family during the day, or relax, trust God, work on it as I am able, and know that it WILL get done in God’s time!
 
So, my friend, if this has been “one of those days” (or weeks!), don’t beat yourself up for not being able to get everything done that you planned on - instead focus on giving your best to each and every situation that arises as God leads you, and leave every other concern in his capable hands!

Love

Cynthia