Skip to main content

About Me

My photo
Janine Claire Robinson
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Welcome to my little writing corner. I count my many blessings to be a cherished wife and an ever-learning-loving-growing mother to 3 amazing children this side of Heaven and a precious little boy in Heaven. Together as a family we pastor a precious church community called Redeeming Hope Church. I've had the privilege of loving and following Jesus Christ since my earliest memories as a child. No matter what I've gone through in life, He has always been so present. At heart, I'm an encourager ... so this is a place where I get to wear my heart on my sleeve and share my journey of learning to live a life of love in action.

The BIG in the SIMPLE

Crazy title ... but hear me out.
Lately as I have been seeking out the Father's voice for my life, I hear him pointing out the SIMPLE stuff. Take for instance this morning. 
My heart's cry has always been for God to use my life for His glory, to make a difference with His love, but sometimes when I take a good look at my life I can't help but look up, arch and eyebrow and wonder when that BIG moment is finally going to arrive? What is that one BIG THING that He has called me to? It doesn't necessarily look like my life has yet to make a big impact on a world so full of hurting hearts. Ever feel the same?
Well, as I was pottering about the house, the doorbell rang and a familiar homeless man was back asking for something to eat. I was in my pj's about to write a 'deep blog post' about hearing God's voice ;0) Honestly, making something to eat was the last thing I felt like doing. And that's when I heard Him. "Here's an opportunity Jan. Go make him a super yummy roll ... toss in some fresh fruit and then make him a nice, sweet cup of tea with an extra dash of sugar!". I could even hear the excitement in His heart in the details. Seriously God??? This is the big stuff? "Yip! This is the BIG stuff!"
So off I went. Thankfully I had someone take it outside for me (as not to scare the poor man out of his wits at the sight of my crazy hair and pj's - hee hee). I peered through the window as she handed him the tea. He just stood there. Surprised. He stood motionless and took a sip. I could see the delight at such a small little act of thoughtfulness. I WANTED TO BAWL MY EYES OUT!!! The man was freezing on this cold Wintery day. He doesn't have the luxury of a kettle at home to make himself something nice to drink on a cold morning. He doesn't have the luxury of a warm home full stop! Something so SIMPLE like a cup of sweet tea with that extra dash of sugar on a cold day to warm him up after a cold night on the streets was God's love and mercy in action reaching straight to his heart ... meeting a physical and heart need. That SIMPLE act was God's heart of compassion showing him that He sees and cares so deeply for him. 
As I sit and type this out I hear God's gentle instruction that in His Kingdom, it's not necessarily about doing that one BIG THING as much as it is daily tuning my heart in to His heart to discern how best to express His love in so many SIMPLE ways. It's that cup of tea ... or those few extra moments letting one of my kids share their heart when I would rather have them tucked in bed so I can have some 'adult time' ... or sending a message of encouragement etc. God uses the SIMPLE small things to make a BIG difference in people's hearts every day. Rather a life lived daily inspired by God's love than sitting around waiting for that one BIG moment.
It reminded me of what Jesus said in the book of Matthew, that in all the SIMPLE ways that we choose to obey and express His love to those around us, He declares that we do it unto Him.  
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Matthew 25:31-40
So thankful for the patient and loving ways that He leads and guides us into a fulfilling life lived in His love!
All my love xxx
Janine

Comments

Momof3girls said…
What a beautiful post! I got teary thinking how God is in all the details, even to the simplest of what to give to a homeless man. It's when we listen that we get the greatest blessing.
Carol F said…
Oh my Janni, such a heart warming blog - thank you again for reminding me to catch the unexpected moments!!
Love you all my heart,
Always,
Mom xxxxxx
Carol F said…
Oh my Janni - such a heartwarming blog - thanks for reminding me to catch the unexpected moments!!
love you al my heart,
Mom xxxxxx

Popular posts from this blog

Reasons to Celebrate

I am quickly typing this in between trying to pack up for Cape, and while packing I am having this to celebrate :0) What to celebrate you may ask ... well you would be amazed at how many amazing blessings you will discover of how good God has been to you when you start looking back and remembering what He has walked you through. Today I am celebrating many wonderful things! I am celebrating how no matter how dark certain moments have appeared to be, His light has ALWAYS broken through!!! Hope & Love have ALWAYS overcome the deepest of fears.  I am celebrating the precious family He has surrounded Brett and I with and the amazing friends and loved ones who have cheered us on and been praying us through. I celebrate how He has cocooned both my daughters hearts with the same peace He has cocooned Brett and my heart with and sheltered our precious family in constant hope of abundant life! I celebrate that as an extended family He has faithfully taught us all how to walk in victory

We are Seeing the Miracles Unfold!

Precious friends and family ... we are starting to see the miracles unfold! We just KNOW that we are living in the miracle :0) Yesterday we had a scan with the specialist who discovered and diagnosed all of Zac's heart defects in August. It's been about 6 weeks since the day we heard the horrible news. As you may remember, the defects she discovered that day in "that" heart were so complex ... not only one defect, but multiple! There was the issue of only 1 chamber; only seeing one major valve from the heart to the lungs where there must be 2 and then the complication of not being able to clearly see the arch of the aorta. What she saw of it, as well as  several other specialists, it looked too narrow and underdeveloped from what we could understand. When we came back from that first scan and spoke with our friend and paediatrician ... this was one of his biggest concerns. The aortic arch is so important in the functioning of the heart!  So before we went for the

The Day of Promise has Arrived

Precious friends ... The big day has finally arrived! Come 4pm today we will be taken into theater to meet our precious miracle son! Our hearts are filled with the Promises of our Beloved Jesus. This post is our hearts response of praise and adoration to Him because He has faithfully carried us through each day with "heart peace", strength, hope, faith and incredible love. He has coached us in how to stand leaning into His Almighty power, wisdom and goodness and has taken all the fear out of this journey. Today our hearts are soooooo excited. It is the day of promise ... Zac's appointed day to shine forth His Glory. As a family we want to thank each and every person and family who has lavished their love, encouragement and prayers to stand with us in looking to Jesus, the Great Physician in knitting Zac's inward parts intricately and wholly in my womb. We will keep you posted as we rejoice in great expectation at witnessing God's amazing love in action! Our eyes