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yet not as I will

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One of greatest lines in the whole of our human history, one which changed the course of our world for ever was this.

‘Not my will be done, but yours…’

It is not often that we hear someone say these simple words.

We are encouraged to discover ourselves.

To stand up for ourselves.

To find ourselves.

Our worlds focus can be summed up in one word.

Self.

We are obsessed with taking selfies…

We are overwhelmed with self esteem, self satisfaction, self fulfilment.

The one message of Easter, that is encapsulated with the story of the cross, is that Jesus was not wanting to do what he did.

He was fully human and fully divine, right to the end.

Human: Please take this from me.

Divine: Not my will but yours be done.

What a juxtaposition of the battle we face daily.

In marriage:

Human: This is what I want/ need.

Divine: Not my will but yours be done.

In parenthood:

Human: You are frustrating me, just listen…

Divine: Not my will but yours be done.

In friendships:

Human: When are you going to call me? When did I do that for you last?

Divine: Not my will but yours be done.

The way of the cross is not about self sabotage it is all about self sacrifice.

When we lay down our way, our lives and serve another, we walk the way of the cross.

Listen and watch the power in this video today Good Friday and meditate upon where you have taken up your human side and been trying to have your way and maybe this Easter you can find a new place to discover life.

In the way of the cross.

 

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Good energy

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The word energy has been high jacked by the new age, hippy styles colloquially.

I am not using this word in the context of charkras, auras and herb flicking ceremonies.

The energy I am talking about is the one we all feel.

That weird feeling.

The awkward moment.

I am always quick to pick up bad energy.

Bad vibes.

Awkward feelings.

Intense moments.

I have written a lot about this theme lately so it’s not new, but I never have a good energy or good vibes when I sit in a room with friends who are all on their phones.

I am often the worst culprit but I always walk away feeling a little baffled.

I want to change it, but often in the moment I don’t know how.

This Easter I’m taking charge.

I’m going hands free, phone free, social media free.

As much as I appreciate the tool for this blog and the community it brings, I am needed by my family more.

I want to have great conversations.

I want to play.

I want to rest.

I want to engage in the moments that arise.

Who needs your energy this Easter?

Maybe consider making it a phone free Easter with me.

Turn it off.

I promise the world will go on.

All my love

Amanda

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taking stock april

charl and maxMaking: Little Wooley things ready for the new weather. My favourite is this beanie.

Cooking: Indian Lamb Biryani chasing away the flu and wishing away the 30 degree evenings.

Drinking: Flat Whites again. My coffee love is growing again, 25 weeks pregnant and I can handle a half in the morning.

Reading: The gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown again, as I have started her e-course online.

Wanting: to see less children in detention in Australia.

Looking: Issu an online magazine website.

Playing: with my camera

Wasting: time watching grey’s anatomy.

Sewing: Sleep sacks and little people pants ready for the New Miss Viviers

Wishing: Everyone would slow down on the roads this easter.

Enjoying: Crocheting these infinity scarves for friends for this winter.

Waiting: for snuggles with our new baby that is growing inside me.

Liking: Romans especially 12: 1-4

Wondering: about the Blood red lunar eclipse happening today and all the prophecies that go with it.

Loving: This song at the moment by Labrinth and Emelie Sande. The words, the beauty and the inspiration.

Hoping: For lion heart and great things to come from the mentoring project with young women in leadership I have just started at my local church.

Marvelling: At how many new words my two year old is learning every day.

max

Needing: to log off and slow down more often.

Smelling:  Big bunches of Fresh Rosemary in vases around my house.

Wearing: Pregnancy Jeans and hoping the weather gets a little cooler.

Following: Kinwomen

Noticing: How many mums struggle with online culture and competition between one another.

Knowing: That God is faithful, despite all the tragedy lately.

Thinking: about being single and over 30. Searching for thoughts and wisdom for my next book.

Feeling: a little flu-ey and sick.

Bookmarking: Free people blog

Opening: emails and letters from the dear single self project. (Looking for 6 more people to be involved.)

Giggling: watching the new girl.

(I found this idea first from Em here and it was originally from here.)

Taking stock is such a great way to remind yourself of the beauty in the small and large parts of your life at the moment.

Are you feeling a little uninspired?

Maybe you need to write a list and take stock.

Amanda

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logging off

IMG_8668Over the weekend and this last week I have been quite sick with the flu. I spent time away with some of my dearest friends just one night and it was medicine like no other.

We went to the most stunning house in South West of Australia, spent time eating lovely food and enjoying one another’s company.

Saturday morning was my favourite. Sea, salt, best friends and non stop conversation.

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Even though I had the flu, I just relaxed and turned my phone and internet off on purpose.

Therefore no posts from me.

Sometimes we just need to log off and enjoy the ones we are with.

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When was the last time you logged off?

This Easter, I want to set a challenge, when we are a little bored, when we have more time than usual, when we sit in church services, when we hang out with friends and family, leave your phone behind.

Log off.

When we take time to create space, dreams and beauty arise.

I promise.

Speak tomorrow

Amanda

 

 

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the velveteen rabbit

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velveteen

My son Maximus has a little ruggie, that he loves to pieces. I never really understood the power of a ruggie, until I had a child.

Yesterday was a sad day for many of my friends, a father of two young children lost his life tragically and it is at times like this, that I linger a little longer in the morning with my son as he drags his ruggie from his room into ours.

Life is way to short for shallow conversations.

Life is way to fleeting to live inauthentic lives, trying to please people you never will.

The people who will love you no matter what are the ones who see you with your ruggie and they don’t mind.

A day of reflection here for my family, I ate my eggs on toast a little slower this morning, I intentionally left my phone at home and walked the beach with my husband and son. I sat back in my rocking chair and I watched them playing cars and planes together.

I let the washing slide, I left the toast on the bench and allowed it to go cold, I visited my mum for no reason but to walk in the house I grew up in.

I savoured those who I can be real with.

I love this story from the velveteen rabbit, it describes everything I am feeling with much more eloquence.

the velveteen rabbitBe real.

Leave anything fake behind.

Shed that which is not bringing beauty to your world.

Honest, real, hair has been loved off genuine relationship.

Life is way to short for anything else.

Amanda