Grandparents

What would we do without them? I have been so blessed as one of my grandmothers is still alive. She is 87 years old and has always been a part of my life. My nana has always been there for me no matter what I seem to be doing wrong. My nana loves me unconditionally and never seems to be shocked about anything that I have done. And this has caused me to question “why is this so?”

The answer is simple. Grandparents, by the time they are grandparents, have lived a good many years experiencing life already and nothing really surprises them anymore. They are wise beyond their years and it would seem to me that they understand that everything is a passing phase.

But what about those of you who have lost both of their grandparents already or whose grandparents - because of distance or family breakdown - just aren’t in the picture anymore? Who do you go to for advice, knowledge, comfort and unconditional love?

The elderly in our society in general are excellent role models for the younger generation today. They look at things from a different (wiser) perspective than us younger parents and are much needed in the grand scheme we call life.

If you don’t have your grandparents around anymore – why not look around for a friendly elderly person to be your childrens’ adopt-a-grannie. The benefits will be life changing.

Embarrassing children

Have you ever been in the position where by you are embarrassed by your child’s behaviour? If you have, join the club!

I am sorry to say folks that being embarrassed by something your little angel has done to another child is perfectly normal and none of us are so special that we are going to miss that experience. How unfair in life would that be!

I have just gone through this experience again last week with my soon to be 17 year old. Being asked to front up to the principal’s office as a teacher and pastor is not the most rewarding experience I have had this year. My baby, my angel this time has got himself into such a situation that he was suspended for three days.

This does not reflect well on his mother at all! But I must admit that each one of my four kids has done something this year that I wish they hadn’t done – something that is not reflective of the values I thought I had instilled in their upbringing. Oh my dear – what have I done wrong?

The fact is that it is not until we make mistakes that we can learn what is right to do and what is wrong to do! My son has learnt a very important lesson last week about inappropriate behaviour which I trust will keep him from doing it again. And if that is the case, then I think he is well on his way to becoming an understanding and caring adult. Life is all about learning and living.

I wonder if kids ever grow out of it? Do they ever stop embarrassing their parents? I must remember to ask my mum!

We are who we are because we are!

Do you ever wish you could go back in time and change some of the mistakes you made? I do! But the reality of my life is this…

If I didn’t make the mistakes I made I wouldn’t have the life experience I have now to help others and understand their pain and guilt.

If I didn’t make the mistakes I made I wouldn’t have the wisdom to know that it wasn’t the right choice to make anyway.

If I didn’t make the mistakes I made my kids wouldn’t know that it is OK to fail.

If I didn’t make the mistakes I made I wouldn’t be able to relate to my imperfect children.

If I didn’t make the mistakes I made I wouldn’t know what it means to be forgiven or to truly forgive someone else.

If I didn’t make the mistakes I made I wouldn’t need God in my life.

If I didn’t make the mistakes I made I wouldn’t be ME!

Nobody is perfect. It is through our mistakes that we learn, grow, mature, and get wisdom!

Jesus Christ was the only perfect person to live and he did it because he always knew that we can’t do it right – no matter how hard we try.

It is ok to fail!

God cares for you

Last week my little chat let you know that anytime you were feeling stressed or worried about something, like you were having trouble coping or if you were just having one of those weeks, you could send me an email or even sms me and I would send up a little prayer for you.

A few people emailed me within 24 hours with a simple “Please pray for me this week!”

So…I just want to say it again that if anytime you are feeling a little overwhelmed with a situation in your life:
• maybe your kids are being a little disobedient;
• maybe you are having problems with someone at work or even a neighbour;
• maybe your relationship needs a little help

Please remember that I am here to not only pray for you, but you can call me for an anonymous chat over the phone, or we can meet in person.

We all need someone to talk to every now and then; I know I do.

Remember that God really does care for you!

Not a good time

Do you ever have a day or a week, or even a month where you just feel like shouting to the world that

“This is not a good time to tackle me on anything that may upset me?”

I do! Most of the time life can just cruise on by but every once in a while life just becomes too much to cope with and you want to bail out on everyone and everything for just a little while and hide.

Unfortunately, that is not always possible – and we have to continue on with our families, our lives and our jobs. How do people do that? How do people continue to cope when all they want to do is scream!

If this sounds like you at the moment – why not give me a call or send me and email and we can chat about how stressful life is. I do have some tips for you though…

1. Exercise – it is really important to release those nasty stress hormones.
2. Cry – always makes me feel better – mind you if you are doing it too much you really need to see a doctor.
3. Talk to someone – find someone to download onto. And if you have run out of friends to listen – I am always here.
4. Pray – You can either pray yourself, send me an email and ask me to pray for you, or give me a call and I can pray with you.

Just remember – you are not alone!