Mirror lakes, near Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand, taken April 2014
So where was I, 6 years ago. I was reasonably well, had recently gone back to work (part-time) after a 7 year child rearing break from paid employment. I was recovering from an unpleasant period of time when our relationship with our previous church had gone sour. I had started this blog and was spending a lot of time trying to work out who I was and where I fit into life's big scheme.
And where am I now? I am physically much weaker, I am no longer able to work. In many ways I feel mentally/emotionally much weaker too. However I do not see this as a bad thing. In fact I can look back at that person I was trying to find 6 years ago and feel quite content that I may just have found the person that God made me to be.
This verse from the Bible just about sums it all up, it is written by Paul as he wrote to the Church in Corinth.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Six years ago I was still manoeuvring my way through life with the driver, 'Be Strong' that had been instilled in me from being a child. What I have learnt is that by saying NO, to this driver, by admitting my weakness, I have been able to accept help that I would have previously refused and definitely not welcomed. That is help from God and help from those around me as well.
I am part of a ladies group within our current church that meets each week to do a bible study. We have been going through a book and dvd that I found on the internet called, Let It Go, by Karen Ehman. I do apologise if you now have the Frozen tune going around in your head - it really is nothing to do with that song! What caught my attention was the first chapter, it is entitled, God Called He'd Like His Job Back. I could so relate to this! The problem with my, 'Be Strong', driver was that it doesn't leave any room for God! All your energy focuses on yourself, and I'm sure this is not only to the detriment of my relationship with God but with those around me to!
Over the last six years I have also seen my marriage become stronger. This seems to have come about by the letting go a little of strong friendships with others. Don't get me wrong, friendships are very important to me but it has taken this last six years for me to appreciate that they are definitely second to my relationship with my husband.
I do not have life sorted, I am sure there are still plenty more storms for me to weather in the next six years. I am very pleased that I do not know what is around the corner and I am very thankful for what I have right here, right now.
Blessings, Jane x.
