Love in Action Journey

Lately the theme of "self care" seems to be jumping out in whatever I read. During a parenting course I've been attending online, we were discussing the importance of self care to keep us effective (and sane) as moms in the home. The presenter broke it down so beautifully. It is the wisdom of creating moments where you can catch your breath to do something meaningful for yourself, even if it's as simple as holding a cup of tea / coffee in your hands and practicing stillness to enjoy the moment fully. That picture spoke powerfully to my heart. I'm the queen of the juggle! The hardest thing for me is to not multitask! An ongoing theme in my life is trying to practice the art of stillness and consistency. That simple little picture of stillness keeps speaking to my heart. Often times we grab our moments of self-care "on the go". Instead of savouring what could be a refreshing moment to catch our breath, we rush it! I can't tell you how many times I...

  Psalm 119:105  "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (NIV) "Truth's shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of Your Word makes my pathway clear." (The Passion translation) No matter who I speak to or what I read, there's no two ways that 2020 has thrown us all a radical curve ball. I don't personally know anyone who hasn't had to negotiate major change this year. We have all had to readjust, make changes and sacrifices and get quiet to seek new ways forward. With that process comes perspective and for that I am grateful, because when you really start asking God to readjust your course or direction, He gives you a new lens to see life around you especially in times of uncertainty. I count my blessings that both my parents and my parents-in-grace have always taught me to allow the promises of God's Word to be the foundation in my journey through life. No matter what situation I find myself in, it neve...

Hello 2016 ... and hello JOY. Every year I seek a word that I can be mindful of growing and practicing in my life. This year I am being more mindful to CHOOSE JOY. I say "choose", because joy is so much more than just a feeling that randomly comes and goes. I believe it is a powerful choice that we can choose to embrace and welcome even in tough moments and situations.  Just yesterday my husband taught in church around the verse from Hebrews 12:1-2 which shares "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him , He endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat sown at the right hand of the throne of God." These 2 verses can be such an encouragement to us. Every day we are running the race of life. God in ...

There are times in our lives when it feels as if the cup falls from our hands and to our sorrow we see it crack or break. For some this could be dealing with disappointment, job loss, disability, injustice, betrayal and for others it could be loss or trauma. It was in a time like that in my own life where God taught me some really precious things that allowed me to see Jesus even more clearly than I had ever seen Him before …  as the master potter, craftsman and mender of my own heart. It was 4 years ago for me when I watched in slow motion as the beautiful cup that I treasured slowly fell and broke into what seemed to me like thousands of broken shards. My husband and I walked through what we thought was unthinkable … the loss of our precious little boy. Negotiating the pain of our own loss and the added hurt of seeing the loss and pain of our 2 little girls broke our hearts. But what I came to experience was a journey and a legacy that precious Jesus had entrusted to us … ...

I don't know about you, but for me one of the giants that I tackle every now and then is self-doubt. Its that inner wrestle of how I could have or should have handled certain moments better than I did. Or the inner chiding that I should be doing more than what I am already doing ... or sometimes rather the fear that maybe I am not the best person for the job that has been given to me. Camp long enough in that headspace and you can really start to feel down. I was having one of those melancholy moments yesterday when the gem-of-a-husband that I have gave me a 2 minute pep talk and a big hug and all of a sudden the dark cloud above my head began to clear. Encouraging words and a heartfelt hug always bring hope and perspective back to the heart. As I was mulling over my feelings from yesterday I just had it on my heart to encourage you today. When is the last time you took a moment to appreciate and accept the gift that God made you to be? It sounds a funny thing to say, but ho...

It's late, but I can't sleep. I've been tossing and turning for ages. Finally, I've crawled out of bed and found a cozy little corner in my lounge, wrapped up in my warmest gown. (Shew but it's quiet when everyone is asleep!) There is a word stuck in my heart that I need to explore with you tonight. " Beloved " . Short and sweet. Simple, yet deeply profound in turning our lives around. Here's what's rolling around in my heart ... It all started with a greeting I read in the book of 3 John 1:2. "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." That simple little verse has arrested my heart on and off for weeks now. Lately, God has been dealing with me graciously (and p-a-t-i-e-n-t-l-y) about "decluttering" my heart and everyday life from things that are stealing my time and drawing away my focus from where it needs to be in order for me to thrive and prosper (like this verse...

A few weeks ago, a fellow blog friend and I were writing back and forth about the wonder of seeing how applicable the Bible still is in speaking so directly into our every day life situations. God's Words of life are so specific! They are alive and carry the weight of wisdom and freedom for anything that we will ever face. A few days ago, God graciously played out the most precious demonstration of His Word for us as a family to witness. He is after all the very best story teller I know and He paints His words of life into the most precious pictures in our every day lives if we have eyes to see and take notice. Here's the passage ... "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to...

Over the last week the Lord has been speaking to me about the significance of having "fresh bread" in the house. Intrigued? So was I.  It started a week ago when I was asked at short notice to share with a special group of ladies anything that the Lord had laid on my heart. I had been reading some passages earlier in the week that had spoken to my heart, so I thought I would draw on that. But that's when the Lord dropped the words "Fresh Bread" in my heart.  I started with the story of how God fed His children for 40 years as they negotiated their journey towards the promised land. Exodus 16:11-35 tells the story of their discovery of this manna from Heaven. I found God's heart in His instructions to the Israelites so fresh and telling to me in my journey with Him. Here's a little of what spoke to me in this story of God's provision ... 1) God's first instruction to them in verses 16 - 18 was for each household to gather as much manna as ...

Since sharing my journey through my blog, I have met so many people who have been willing to share their stories with me. Everyone has a story to tell. Not all of us have the same story, but many can relate to having negotiated some hard paths along the way. I write this post today to those who feel weighed down or swallowed up in hurt or despair. I want to remind your heavy heart today that that God reaches out to you with "healing in His wings". Here is a beautiful promise for you to hold onto  ... "But unto you who revere and worshipfully fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings and His beams, and you shall go forth and gambol like calves (released) from the stall  and leap for joy ." Malachi 4:2 This is a beautiful picture to me. On those really tough days when we just do not know how to possibly make it through, God paints us a picture of Himself reaching out healing in His wings to us. Why wings you might ponde...

A friend and I were chatting yesterday about how we so often put off every-day happiness waiting until this grand elusive moment when we will either finally feel ready or have met some self-set criteria . Our feelings about ourselves and our lives are a big factor in this mindset. For some it is waiting until they meet the right person, for others it may be having children, or about being a certain weight / looking a certain way or it could be when they are debt free or financially independent etc. It's simply " that" something that is stopping us from enjoying abundant life each and every single day. It's not so much that setting goals for ourselves, or that any of the above desires are wrong - not at all! We all need goals that we are working towards, but it's when those goals that we set for ourselves become the only way we determine our happiness or allow us to fully live life in freedom, joy and peace. (Side note - clearly I am LOVING the various fo...

A precious friend sent me this message written by Max Lucado. It speaks so deeply to my heart.  The Sufferings of His Broken Heart by Max Lucado "Go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the foggiest night in history. The scene is very simple; you'll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night. Now, look into the picture. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that person? See that solitary figure? What's he doing? Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth. Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead? That's Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Maybe you've seen the classic portrait of Christ in the garden. Kneeling beside a big rock. Snow-white robe. Hands peacefully folded in prayer. A look of serenity on his face. Halo over his head. A spotlight from heaven il...

We are learning so much as a family right now. In the midst of our pain, the Lord is continually reaching out to us through so many loving people. It is a month today since Zac was born and tomorrow a month since he beat us to Heaven :0) During this last month the Lord has showed us what "love in action" looks like as people have ministered to us through meals, message, flowers, phone calls, prayers and visits. I have been so deeply touched by so many people who have walked the road of losing a child who have contacted us to encourage us. It once again shows me how God never ever wastes any of our pain. These precious people have come along side us and shared their stories with us. It has touched my heart so deeply that most of the people who have written to me have never met me, yet they are willing to share such a vulnerable part of their hearts with us in telling us their stories. What an encouragement to see how God is faithful to heal the broken hearted. I understand mo...

Precious friends ... the more I get to know my Jesus, the more I am overwhelmed by what love truly looks like. I have to start this post by saying that to know Him is to love Him. He truly is the best depiction of what love looks like because, He is love in every way. He is more beautiful and wonderful than any words could ever express. He truly is. If you don't see Him like this ... seek Him out for yourself. To all who seek Him, He is found. Never go on just the picture of somebody else's opinion of Jesus ... take the time to seek Him out for yourself. If you look at His life in the pages of your Bible, you will discover His heart and your heart will forever be captivated.  When I started this journey of "love in action" through this blog, I never would have known the rich treasures Jesus would reveal to me about Himself in the midst of what many would see as a nightmare. What I have found is perfect peace and confidence of faith in Him beyond any of my own huma...

My house smells like pop corn and it makes me smile. I LOVE pop corn. My mom & dad used to have a pop corn machine which my sister and I used so often in the afternoons after school. I have yet to buy one now that I am a mommy - guess I should put it on my pressie list ;0) I am a bit naughty by cheating and buying microwave pop corn. I just find it SO CONVENIENT to quickly pop up a box as a snack for the girls (ok ... especially for me - hee hee). Funny how smell is so powerful in triggering memories. Sitting in my lounge surrounded by this amazing aroma brings back so many wonderful memories ... sharing my first box of popcorn with my handsomeness on one of our early dates before we married ... sitting in the kitchen with my mom, granny and sister playing scrabble with a  HUGE bowl of salt and vinegar flavoured popcorn ... making lunch boxes for my girls and adding a packet of pop corn in, which reminds me of the many bags of pop corn my mom made for me :0)...

On this warm winter morning I am sitting outside on my veranda with a cup-of-something-warm-and-wonderful (interpretation: coffee - hee hee) looking out onto our very green garden. The Lord has sent us incredible rains over the last few weeks after an almost 2 year drought. Our dams are slowly starting to fill up again here in the Eastern Cape. This is the first time in my 34 years that I have lived through a drought with strict water restrictions. When the water restrictions were first issued we all wondered how we would adjust. It meant no filling the pools through Summer, sharing water at bath times or showering super quick with low water pressures, spacing out your washing days as not to waste lots of water etc. We all started finding ways to teach our children how to be water conscious. We put up water tanks to catch any falling rain that came our way so we could water the garden etc. It's amazing how quickly you adjust and also become thankful for the luxuries that you might ...

Words. We hold so much power with the gift that we have been given by God. Ever really thought about how precious this gift is that we have been given? No wonder the Bible says that the power of life and death are in the tongue. God never entrusted this gift to any other of His creation ... except us ... His beloved children. While all creation has a voice and can be heard in different ways ... only we have been entrusted with the gift to speak words. What a precious and powerful gift those words can be. With this gift comes great responsibility to each of us. Everyday we hold the power to build up, encourage, edify and breathe life, hope and love into one another and each others dreams or we have the power to discourage, hurt, confuse or tear down. The choice is continually before us.  When we add action to our words, they speak even louder. Everyday we use this gift. How much of what we say blesses? How much of what we say causes someone else to smile? How much of...

My hubby is full of smiles today. His best buddy arrived from Cape Town to spend the day with us. David is such an encourager. He has a way of changing the atmosphere wherever he goes. It got me thinking ... isn't that exactly what God desires to do through each of us every day ... encourage and be His voice and arms to those around us.  Hebrews 3:13 says "Exhort / encourage one another daily, while it is called "Today", lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." There are so many sneaky little things that distract us and harden our hearts in this world ... but a simple word of encouragement has the power to soften our hearts and breathe new life into our soul and dreams.  Whatever you do today ... be somebody's encourager! You are God's voice and arms to those around you.  All my love xxx Janine

Yesterday as I was driving home from dropping the girls off at school the mist was so thick that I couldn't see the usual landmarks around me. It reminded me of an experience I had in February this year where we drove right past massive sand dunes on a beach I'd been wanting to visit, but could not see them at all. I could hear the waves crashing on the beach, smell the sea sea air, even feel the soft beach sand in between my toes, but I could not see it even though I was looking straight at it. It was hidden. In this moment God began to speak to my heart. In the book of Ephesians in the Bible, we read over and over the amazing promises that we have when we are "hidden in Christ Jesus". God expresses His heart so beautifully of why He calls us to become His children. We read about the kind of Father that He is ... how He adopts us into His family to lavish His grace, love, acceptance, forgiveness, freedom, and every spiritual blessing into our lives. I am always so h...