-295 All these natural disasters so close to home ( Tuesday 22nd February 2011 )

Those poor people in Christchurch,New Zealand. Another Earthquake and even though this time it was 6.3 which was less than the 7.1 that hit last September it had such a massive impact today on that city. Not only because this time it struck in the middle of the day instead of the night but apparently because it was shallow and the aftershocks were stronger as well. 

There have been so many natural disasters so close to home in the past six months in a country that has only recently been declared free of a decade long drought.  The floods in Queensland, Victoria and parts of New South Wales, cyclone Yasi in Queensland and more cyclones and flooding in the Northern Territory, the bush fires in Western Australia and in New Zealand - only a short plane ride away these horrifying earthquakes.

The interesting part is that I am starting to hear about people talking more about feeling like that life is short and can't be taken for granted as easily as it seemed to be taken in the past. 

Will this mean that people's hearts will be softened where they once were somewhat hard or indifferent towards God and start to seek Him ? Or will people start seeking other things to believe in and blame God for what is happening ?

All I know is that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". John 3:16  

It's my prayer tonight that for those 65+ who have perished today in Christchurch that they already knew this or had a chance to know this. And for those who are seeking answers that they are lead to the one who created them and choose to know Him rather than try to blame Him.

xMiss365

-314 15 years ago today ( Friday 14th January 2011 )

Image by Ideas Go

Fifteen years ago today I was a different person. I was scared, angry, empty, lonely, insecure, happy, emotional, manipulative, in love, in hate, a doormat, an emotional wreck. Now I do admit at times I can be all of these things still but not in the all consuming way I was fifteen years ago. The difference? Something that I didn't have. 

Salvation. 

And fifteen years ago after picking The Real Ex up from the airport a few days before and seeing him come back from his time away with his Christian Dad a changed person I breathed a huge sigh of relief and although I was scared I went to Church with him that Sunday. Now Marvelous Mum had become a Christian and given her life to Christ about 6 months before and I am ashamed to admit that I gave her a hard time about it. Now in retrospect I realise that it was God tapping me on the shoulder gently reminding me of His existance and telling me that it was my turn soon. I didn't want to know. I didn't want to give up my life and become a 'goody goody'. Lol. 

And so in the car on our way to Church that night The Real Ex told me the parable of the mustard seed ( Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-34, Luke 13:18-19 ) and just to get my attention (lol) of course the same parable was used in the sermon that night. I know that some people get freaked out when God gets their attention like that but as soon as the altar call began I'm fairly sure my hand up was up and more importantly my heart was ready to ask for and receive forgiveness before anyone else that night ! 

My walk has been slow and steady since. I've had my walks in small deserts and then larger, longer deserts but always my heart knows Him and I haven't strayed too far off the path He has placed before me. 

It hasn't always been easy, particularly watching others who have appeared to have gone their own way and made their own choices and have known ( and know ) the joy of being married and being a parent ( and not just the 'being single stuff' but for the sake of this blog that's what I am mentioning ). But I keep reminding myself every time my thoughts stray in the wrong direction that my walk is my walk and my race is my race and to stay in my lane because if I look at someone else's race too often or make my own shortcut I might just miss a God designed rest stop that is perfect just for me!

So fifteen years ago today my heart had a Jesus sized gap. Now I am complete in Him. And I cannot and nor do I want to imagine a life without Him.

xMiss365