tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post4516970082018210272..comments2024-03-18T00:53:33.065+11:00Comments on in all honesty: busyness, stress and the grace of God (2) seasonsJeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01538502318975037711noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-55015388240945376762010-03-23T07:47:28.660+11:002010-03-23T07:47:28.660+11:00Thanks so much for these thoughts, Jean. Very tim...Thanks so much for these thoughts, Jean. Very timely as we begin to consider our move back to Australia and into a new ministry area. We've tried to take time out to rest and not be too busy with ministry things here so that we'd be refreshed once our next move happened. But I'm beginning to realise just how much I might need to continue to hold off doing too much - we'll be moving back across the world with a 5 yo, a 3 yo and a baby; there will be new ministry challenges; new housing; a new church and so on. So your reflections are good to be reminded of before we get to that point. Especially number six - the one it's perhaps easiest to forget!mattnbechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01885771993409495143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-66342707908244091852010-03-17T17:13:34.227+11:002010-03-17T17:13:34.227+11:00Thanks for these thoughts and for this series - so...Thanks for these thoughts and for this series - so perfectly timed and balm for me. This year is my "youngest has gone to Kindy for two days a week before entering full time school next year" transition year. And I am finding it surprisingly very difficult to navigate! <br /><br />I don't think a day went past last year when I didn't think of what this year would hold...a chance to sit quietly...and yet now that it is here and I have a chance to think, I keep thinking about what happens next year when two days becomes five. Being a stay at home mum was such a no brainer for me when the children weren't at school. But black and white is now taking on all sorts of shades of grey!<br /><br />So I am appreciating the slow trickle of this series as much as anything, which keeps reigning my wildly galloping thoughts back in and reminding me to keep talking to God about it all.<br /><br />Interestingly, yesterday, Mr 7 Year Old, out of the blue asked,<br />"Why don't you have a job mummy?"<br />Me: Does everyone else's mum have a job.<br />7: Yes.<br />Me (feeling somewhat disgusted that I am getting this kind of pressure from my own child!!): What sort of job should I get?<br />7: Well...(pause)...actually you have a job, don't you? You teach Scripture at school. <br />Me: Yes, I do.<br />7: That's the most important job. Keep doing that mummy.<br /><br />Praising God for the wisdom from the mouths of babes and thanking Him for your wise words too. Keep them coming!<br /><br />MxxMeredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11797493488173742152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-55948159501275791642010-03-17T12:51:49.308+11:002010-03-17T12:51:49.308+11:00"The Desert Song" http://www.youtube.com..."The Desert Song" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QemZQKKJbRU<br />says "All of my life, in every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship." This has been an important song to sing during this season for me, as I try to become more like Jesus in daily service to my family instead of being the Youth Pastor! Unknown to me, my sister had the same song in her mind as she struggled with her rebelling 19-year-old son.Tasmaniannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-21629682480311355022010-03-16T23:20:06.930+11:002010-03-16T23:20:06.930+11:00Good points, Jean. I have also found that when a ...Good points, Jean. I have also found that when a "busy" season ends, I find myself able to do some of those basic things that I had to set aside when I had so much else on my plate. Whenever we add a new responsibility into our schedule, something has to give. Also, I think it's such a walk of faith to both rest when it's time to rest and to work hard when we know God is giving us more than we think we can handle. It takes so much wisdom and prayer and counsel. I am so thankful that we have a personal, faithful God to lead and guide us!Valorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11841538621971500717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-62617074805732618322010-03-16T15:16:03.202+11:002010-03-16T15:16:03.202+11:00Excellent points!
Susan Alexander Yates has a ch...Excellent points! <br /><br />Susan Alexander Yates has a chapter on seasons in her book "And Then I Had Kids"- which is an excellent book, btw.<br /><br />PamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7276278342039529509.post-5570024608703940892010-03-16T10:46:50.119+11:002010-03-16T10:46:50.119+11:00Thanks for this, Jean. I am very thankful for the...Thanks for this, Jean. I am very thankful for the season I'm in at the moment and the opportunities that gives me to spend time with my children, build relationships locally, and pray, without too much rush and hurry and busyness. With my youngest (of 4) starting school next year, I was planning to (try to!) have a "quiet year", without significantly increasing my existing commitments (CRE teaching, CMS committees, etc). I like the idea of making space and time to adjust to a season. We'll see how it goes!Fiona McLeannoreply@blogger.com