Why Blog?

4pm

Today, someone suggested I was  fortunate to have SO much free time on my hands that I am able to write a blog every single day! It made me think! Up at 3-45am Monday to Friday, I fall into bed, with there not having been enough hours in the day, at 8-45pm, so that I can get up early enough the next day to be, not merely functional, but bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and HAPPY!! As I thought about it, I was reminded that life is all about choices. In December 2009, when I began a daily blog, it was mainly to see if I actually was disciplined enough to do it. I found it an amazing tool to sort of slow time down. To pause and notice the events that made up each day and in turn make up my life. In January 2011, I decided to stretch myself and try and take a photo EVERY day to add to my blog. With this, I began to see that so much of life is in the little things. Mike calls it making the ordinary extraordinary! Now, not only was I stopping to smell the roses, I was stopping to take a photo of them as well. You will notice that seldom do I blog about anything particularly negative (hence the lack of housework, aches, pains, disagreements, work hassles and the general drudgery of life – all of which I experience!) Choosing to focus on the positive, I choose to count my blessings rather than the difficulties. The daily blog has become a priority. It is important to me. In focussing on the blessings, I realise that despite setbacks (which you may or may not hear about), in the big scheme of things, I live an exceedingly blessed, full, happy, healthy, trouble free life!!!  The blog takes about an hour a day. It takes the place of an afternoon snooze…. it’s a good sacrifice. Is it an extravagant use of time? Absolutely not! It makes me more aware of all the good in my life – I live life with more intention, with more expectation and I find myself making the most of every opportunity. I will stop interesting strangers in the street and have a chat. I’ll find out the name of nursery men and waitresses. I smile more and enjoy the moment, not reflecting on the past or wishing for the future but zooming in on the NOW.  In our crazy, busy life, that’s a treat money can’t buy!

As for the day, we lazed in bed until about 8-30am. Mike had some stuff to do so he went off and I lay in bed doing prep for next week. This is the prep that I should have done this last week but left work early for various family reasons including taking Sally to the airport on Thursday. Remember my visit to Rhodes Memorial? Well I paid for it this morning, working for a couple of hours, but to my surprise, I had a visit from Gizmo who was uncharacteristically affectionate. He sure wanted my attention…

Okay, I know I have Facebook open here, but I really was working. Truly!

Mike got home, we all (Granny, Mike & I) had tea on the patio and then lunch there as well. Granny had a pie. We ate an amazing salad made by Mike…

Then I made giant vanilla muffins…

And we also sampled the grapes from our vine…

They were deliciously sweet!

I can’t end this blog without mentioning my Mother who went to be with the Lord on this day 8 years ago – 28th January 2004.

She was clever and entertaining and had an amazing personality. She loved word games (I get that from her). She was good at maths (I missed that gene!), she was hugely capable, yet sensitive and caring and generous. I prayed for her salvation for 14 years. At the age of 60, the scales fell from her eyes and she came to know the Lord in a personal and special way. For the next 12 years, until her death, she followed Jesus and her life was different. I am so glad I will be with her in eternity. I love and miss you “Ma”.

John 11:26 Jesus speaking “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Yes! I believe this!

Thank you Jesus!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂