Sunday 4 January 2009

Merry Christmas , Happy New Year & sorry for the gap

Hi, I have to apologise that it has been so long between posts. Life has been a little hectic as we try to enjoy Christmas and the New Year, pack everything up, say goodbyes, finish assignments, deal with centrelink and get all the last minute things done for our move to College. I cant actually believe that it is now only 16 days until we move into Royal Parade.
How is everything going to get done, will I be able to cope with classes and the studies, will the family cope with living with so many other people in the one building, is God really calling me ... with all my failings and inadequacies ... no I must be mistaken, I must have heard wrong .... I cant possibly be His chosen representative to the people ... no I cant do this, what skills do I have for this task, and what about all the mistakes I have made ...
Through all these questions and doubts I keep being reassured by God that it is not by my strength or my power, but it is through the grace of God, that He indeed has called me and that He indeed will provide for me and my family. All we have to do is keep trusting and have the courage to do the things God asks of us.
I know life wont be easy and I am positive that College will stretch and test me, (actually I will be dissapointed if it doesnt !) but I am also very sure of Gods call on our lives and His promise that He will go before us and lead the way.
There have been countless times when we have really struggled to see how we could get some things done, or how we could raise the necessary funds, but time and again we have been amazed at the provisions of God and the generosity of our many friends. Some people have really gone above and beyond in their support of us both financially and spiritually. The prayers and support of these people have helped us to keep focussed and not let small distractions and discouragements move us off the course that God has planned for us. For that we are enormously grateful !
I have blogged before about encouragement but I just want to encourage everyone one more time to go out of your way to be an encourager, to speak positively into the lives of those around you, to be the loving neighbour that God wants us to be. It has been those that have encouraged me that have played a huge part in me being three weeks away from entering Training College.
So as we start the New Year I would encourage you to do three things : Encourage others, Trust God and instead of reading leadership manuals or how to guides look to Jesus for the best model of leadership the world has ever seen - Servant Leadership, and lastly find people you can talk to openly and will be honest with you and let them know what is happening in your life. It really helps to have people that can listen and advise.
God Bless and have a great New Year in 2009 - The year we finally get to Royal Parade.