adversity

3:14

| JoyfulArtist
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

3:14

Most people would look at that number and associate it with the mathematical term Pi. For me for many years though it was the numbers of my digital clock, glaring at me in the darkness.

After my second bout of depression, this was the time I woke up at in the early hours of the morning. At first I thought I was imagining it but as the days and weeks went on, the realisation set in-I was waking up at this time every morning.

It was like a jolt. Suddenly I would be wide awake and my eyes were automatically drawn to the clock, hoping and praying I would see a different number, but no, there it was…3:14.

Why am I bringing this up now you may ask. It’s simple really. It’s back! It’s almost like an old friend who you haven’t seen in awhile turning up on your doorstep. It doesn’t scare me or make me feel that I’m staring into the dark place that is depression again. It’s more like a warning. Like when the petrol light flashes on your dashboard- you haven’t run out of petrol yet but you will if you don’t do anything about it.

At the moment we are living in very strange times. There is fear and uncertainty and there seems no end to the virus I spoke of in my last post. Many people are in despair, losing jobs, loved ones, missing friends, homeschooling….I could write an endless list.

3:14….I know that just like that petrol light, if I don’t do anything, that number will become an all too familiar sight. It is no coincidence that the Bible verse I’ve included has 3:14 in the reference. As someone close to me reminded me tonight, there is always someone in a worse situation than yourself. Reading this verse it brought to mind my purpose as a believer and follower of Christ. I have to keep going every day with His help and press on towards the goal set before me. My life is not my own but His. It was paid for on Calvary. As my pastor says, we are saved to serve. So my purpose is to press on and serve and glorify Him and I encourage you to do the same.

Thanks for reading.

Fathers Day…16th June

| JoyfulArtist

Today in the UK we are celebrating our fathers, grandfathers, fathers in law and father figures in general. I was intrigued to know how this tradition began. It seems to have come from across the pond in the US where in 1910, a young woman was inspired during a mothers’ day sermon to honour her father.

I am fortunate to have my father or daddy as I call him, still with me. I realise there are many today who will visit graves to remember the father they once had.

My daddy called me his princess on my wedding day and of course it made me cry. What girl wouldn’t? When I was a baby, he used to sit at the bottom of my cot to check I was breathing. At 3, he taught me how to swim, taking away any fear of the water and making it fun. At school I shed many tears over maths homework’s and my daddy always knew how to solve those equations. When my first boyfriend dumped me, my daddy was there to hug his princess. When I started driving, he would always stay awake until I came in at night and as a student he wrote the most heartfelt letters, phoned everyday and often drove to the main postal office in Belfast to ensure I got an envelope with money the very next day…

Those are just some of the examples of the things my daddy has done for me over my lifetime. Of course there are other things I have learned from my dad and acquired from him.

He is not afraid to show his emotions. He worked hard all his life and instilled this work ethic in me. He loves reading, a passion we both share. You can overcome adversity. When you do something, you give it 100%. Family comes first, love conquers all and that we all need God in our life.

Sadly, not everyone can relate to this important man in my life. Not everyone has a loving father or one who is interested in them or who will do anything for them. There are those who may read this who have never had a father figure in their life. There are those who may have had an abusive father or have been abandoned by him at some point in their lives. Or maybe like my boys, the relationship between parents has broken down…

I often think about the effect on my two boys. The Squid is older and has more knowledge of what went on before I finally left the family home. He is a deep thinker and a worrier. Usually you can see it on his face. He’s been angry and sad about what has happened. The important thing is to let him talk about it. To try and see it through his eyes and of course, pray with him and for him.

The Ginger Kitten is a different story. He was so tiny when we broke up , nothing really was said. The transition is equally difficult for him as it is for the rest of us, but through time hopefully he will have more of an understanding of the whys and wherefore.

Looking for love after divorce is difficult for most. I am no exception. As someone who was used to putting the needs of others first before her own, it comes as no surprise to me that quite often when I’ve spoken about the type of man I’m looking for, I think about how ‘he’ will meet the needs of my boys. Looking for love for me isn’t just about me. I have 2 little people too. They come along with the emotional baggage we divorcees trail behind us.

My boys need a spiritual leader first and foremost. I tried to fulfil this role for many years but do believe a man should be the spiritual leader in the home. They need someone who puts family first, who is interested in the small stuff as well as the bigger issues. Someone who takes time to talk with them about what is important in their life and spend time with them. Someone who loves their mother and works with her to train them up in the way they should go. Is this just a pipe dream? Definitely not. Such men do exist.

In Psalm 68:5-6 we can see how every family derives it’s name from the Father and God the Father is the model for headship in our families.

“A father of the fatherless,

A defender of windows,

Is God in His holy habitation.

God sets the solitary in families;

He brings out those who are bound into prosperity;

But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.”

All of us can have an experience with our Heavenly Father. All of us have a relationship with Him, either one where we can accept him as a father or one where we are rebellious and not accepting of his love and grace or anything else he is willing to bestow on us.

So this Fathers’ Day think not only of your earthly father but of a Heavenly one who loves you with an everlasting love.

Thanks for reading.