Category: 366 days of novice motherhood

Place: home

Poison: Pepsi max

Favorite things: both my men fast asleep whilst I crochet and cook dinner!

Today more than ever I am aware of the power of not holding a grudge.

There were times today when I had the choice to hold a grudge and become offended by circumstance.

The choice I made, despite feeling betrayed by a situation, was to dig deep, forgive and move on.

I have not always responded this way in the past.

There are times where offense and betrayal have become my greatest stumbling blocks.

Until the day I realized that offense was a choice. It truly is. No matter what people do to you, they cannot make you respond in a certain way. In fact that is the greatest opportunity we received from the fall, free will.

It is our choice to respond in whatever people and life throws at us.

Lenten blog

After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why. “One of you is going to betray me.” The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder. (John 13:21-23 MSG)

Christ paved the way in the lenten story and showed us that offense truly is our own choice.

He sat at dinner with the one who he knew would betray him, he was honest with the situation but truly laid his life down for another.

This lent, what offense or grudge are you holding against someone?

This lent as we walk towards Easter together who has taken your focus from betrayal?

No matter what has happened to you, your response this Easter is your choice?

Choose to let go.

Choose life!

A

Place: home

Poison: Pepsi Max

Favorite things: sleeping Max

My daytimes with Max are becoming familiar.

The routine, the nappy changes, the long drawn out cuddles, the tv, the crochet, the reading, the stolen kisses…

Familiarity however does breed contempt because I have longed so much to become a Mum, but there are moments within my today that a little thought crossed my mind, oh no Max not again.

The celebration of communion is a delightful sacrament that reminds us of the power and the passion of the cross.

Lenten Reading

Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you. The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said, This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me. After supper, he did the same thing with the cup: This cup is my blood, my new covenant with you. Each time you drink this cup, remember me. What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns. You must never let familiarity breed contempt. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 MSG)

However we all have the capacity to allow the regular to become the mundane.

Whether it be hugs and kisses with our lover, whether it be changing a nappy of our newborn child, whether it be a sandwich enjoyed with friends…

Routine often breeds familiarity.

This lent however step out of the traffic and refresh your computer screen, checking that the important have not been dulled by regularity.

The walk of the cross, reminded by communion is not something that we can take for granted. It is a routine that is filled with poignancy and privilege.

Christ’s death enacted by breaking bread with our brothers and sisters is priceless.

What is your thoughts about communion today?

A

Place: beautician

Poison: coffee

Favorite things: a long awaited pedicure!

The highway that forges the way to the cross is one paved with humility.

Kings of our earth today, demand service, demand attention, demand respect.

Christ served by washing his disciples feet to show the way of the cross was one of service.

Lenten Reading

Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.” Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet-ever!” Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.” (John 13:3-8 MSG)

I think it is really hard in our society today for us to accept Christs service.

We want to be rock stars who change the world, we want to be the Saviours who make the grade, we want people to revere us as the champions.

To allow Christ to serve us though, is a foreign concept in our everyday.

He actually wants to serve us. He wants to help us, set us free, bring freedom ad friendship and so often we are not open to his advances because of pride.

We don’t listen to his suggestions because we believe we don’t need help.

We hold back because we don’t feel worthy.

The fact is we are not worthy but the way of the cross is a road marked with servanthood.

Christ is always up to something in our lives, but are you allowing him to move.

He wants to speak? He wants to encourage? He wants to serve you?

Are you listening this Easter, to the Saviour who came to serve.

This is the highway of holiness.

A

Place: home

Poison: jelly beans

Favorite Things: my family

Preparation is key.

It’s amazing what simple steps to prepare for the future can do in our everyday.

The walk to the cross by Jesus was prepared by days upon days of preparation.

Jesus knew what was to come, not only this but he was prepared for the journey it entailed.

What surprises most people about the cross, is that Jesus knew what was to come and he prepared his disciples for what was to come…

That’s what is so heartening about this story, Jesus knew he was to be betrayed, he knew that the walk towards the cross would be difficult, he knew that the sacrifice would result in freedom for his children, yet he walked it anyway.

Lenten Reading

He said, “It’s one of the Twelve, one who eats with me out of the same bowl. In one sense, it turns out that the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures-no surprises here. In another sense, the man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man-better never to have been born than do this!” “This Is My Body” In the course of their meal, having taken and blessed the bread, he broke it and gave it to them. Then he said, Take, this is my body. Taking the chalice, he gave it to them, thanking God, and they all drank from it. He said, This is my blood, God’s new covenant, Poured out for many people. (Mark 14:20-24 MSG)

We all have knew opportunities that are in our future. Opportunities that might hurt, that might mean humbling ourselves, but if we prepare ourselves to trust and believe beyond the short term pain, the long term plan can be earth shattering.

What are you preparing your heart towards?

What are you being prepared for?

Your story is far from over, prepare your heart this lent.

All my love

Amanda

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x61TW2XrhI&feature=youtube_gdata_player