Balance

Progress will lead to something new, a change ... sounds obvious and has a naturally positive lilt to it. On the face of it and at the time, progress is often positive ... exciting even. Take the invention of the television or the phone ... it’s hard to really image what it must have been like to use them for the very first time. 

Yet if you’re anything like me, you may sometimes wish that they weren’t quite so present in our every day lives. How reliant we have become on these things and how much of our time they fill ... but not that long ago really, people existed without them.

You know I have young children. They love watching TV and I very often love them watching it because it gives me some time to get the tea ready or crack on with a job which needs doing. It’s handy, I won’t deny it. Yet I know that to rely on screen time too much, just isn’t natural or good for them (or me). It’s not just the TV, but the iPad or a games console or a phone or maybe music constantly in their headphones. It’s all artificial even if it’s real people on the screen or singing. Nothing wrong with it at all but there has to be a balance and an acceptance bred into us and our children to be able to stop it ... to change scene, to divert to something else, to escape even.

I’ve seen my children go from being in the middle of creating some amazing lego structure to suddenly standing rooted to the spot, conversation stopped mid flow, just because the TV had been turned on! Talk about halting creativity and social interaction.

If my children are in a woodland setting making dens and climbing trees, they aren’t thinking about wanting to watch TV at all. The environment helps dictate their perspective and desire for creativity, imagination and physical exploration. Likewise if they’re at the beach, they’re not asking to watch Netflix but are chasing the lapping waves or building sandcastles. When in the park, they’re using the play equipment or kicking a ball; even at home if they’re in the lounge having book or puzzle time, they’re engaged and enjoying themselves without the TV being on which is in the same room ... you get the picture. 

So a variety is good ... accessing the physical; our emotions; the imagination; the creative mind; the psychological and the social interaction element, are all vital for balanced growth. Exposure to these things means that screen time can have it’s place but can also know it’s place ... it does not dominate or take away from the real, tangible natural world around us and the real, wonderful other people in it!

As adults we’re often more guilty than the children. We may not have time to sit and watch a lot of TV, but we scroll and scroll, stuck to our phones like barnacles on the back of a humpback whale, even taking them to bed with us because of course it must be the last thing we look at and the first thing we look at each day. Bonkers. (I’m guilty of it). I’d rather look at a tree and hear a bird (I do that too).

So let’s try to get a little more balance in our lives. There is a time for everything ... there is a reason and a season for everything. Read Ecclesiastes 3 ... “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven ...” then it lists a lot! It doesn’t include screen time but maybe we should make our own lists but just make sure we keep a correct perspective and a balanced lifestyle, with our aim being to showcase God’s love and add glory to his name ... that should keep us on track.

Ingrid x

A new song I had to share!

Scars in Heaven ~ Casting Crowns:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qCdevloDE6E&feature=share

Ingrid x

Midweek Thought ~ Old Ramblings!

Apologies to Theresa May but when I wrote this, there had only been one female PM! I came across this piece that I had written back in 2012 ...  not even sure now what inspired it particularly but there you go ... not too much has changed me thinks. 

Thought I’d be lazy and share it on as I’m currently feeling particularly rough with what I think is flu. 

THE ERA OF ME

A while ago now, on watching the film portraying our only female prime minister ‘The Iron Lady’, I was struck by her conversation with the doctor where she emphatically exclaims “don’t ask me what I am feeling, ask me what I am thinking”. 

 

The point seemed to be that we can overindulge our feelings, dwelling on them so much that we fail to focus on the bigger picture … life in its fullness, our future and what action we can take to help to change it for the better, to make a difference.

 

We have for some time now been living in an era that prioritises me, number 1. We are led to believe so much that our feelings, wants, problems and desires are paramount, that the real root to happiness is sacrificed. As wise old Solomon said: “there is nothing new under the sun”, we maybe need to take a step back and review our thinking. I believe it is now time for the cycle to move on a notch or two from self-absorbed introspection to living out true love (actions rather than feelings).

 

Please don’t misunderstand me, I firmly believe in emotions and feelings being vital to individual and collective well-being, however there can be a danger when these are consistently allowed to dictate decisions and actions (or the lack of). It is often the real-life tough decisions that make the difference for us and our country which if based on feelings alone, would have potentially proved disastrous rather than victorious.

 

I’ve seen t-shirts that epitomise the sentiment “it’s all about me, get used to it”. While it may be amusing as a passing remark, if we all genuinely believed this then we are no better off than becoming pure anarchists and society would continue on its slippery slope to ruin.

 

Take the riots in London as an example, I sometimes wonder whether they really happened … I mean, how could they? Yet they did. People looking to themselves and literally just doing what they wanted with no concern for law, governance or others. This was indeed a most public display, demonstrating the degradation of the human heart; however, it does happen constantly, not so visibly, in homes and hearts across our nation.  

 

I am as guilty as the next person. Going through a marriage break up recently, I ask myself did I give as much as I could, did I try as much as I should have? Or was it all too easy to hide those thoughts behind the more prevailing ‘legitimate’ voices of our society saying ‘what do you feel and want’?; ‘You’ve given it all you can, you deserve to enjoy life and move on’; ‘you’re the most important person, put yourself first for once’; ‘life’s too short, just enjoy it’ (in other words don’t worry about others and if they’ll be hurt in the process, you’re the priority!). Sound familiar?

 

When you break it down, this argument when taken to its literal end is not healthy in the least. No wonder there are so many broken families, homes, hearts and so much confusion and lack of trust as a nation. Maybe if we took a leaf out of Jesus’ book and “loved our neighbours as ourselves” a little more, thinking of and living for others, we may see more rewards than we’d ever dreamed of both individually and nationally. After all, ‘Love’ is an action not just a feeling, it is a choice.

 

We should not do this with the expectation of receiving in return but be assured there will be a domino effect. When driving, have you ever noticed how that when someone has let you out of a road during rush hour (you’ve been sat there for a few minutes fuming!), that you in turn are more likely to spot someone else and let them out? It happens all the time.

 

I truly believe that Great Britain was great because it was a nation founded on good principles (pretty much Bible truth) and as soon as we let these slide, we become weaker and less identifiable. We should not be ashamed of our heritage and we should embrace the truths and principles as a nation to put the Great back into Great Britain. I know we must move forward with the ‘times’ and due to the world becoming a much smaller place this is more complicated than it’s ever been, but we are strong and resilient enough to rise to the challenge. True Brits are stalwarts and if we would just take the time to admit some home truths then put in the hard work (even if it doesn’t mean me first), we would once again become a united nation supporting each other and paving a better way for a future generation. Let us plant the seeds for a better tomorrow.

 

Get to know your neighbour, see the good in someone rather than relishing the worst, help someone in need and if you don’t know anyone then find someone (it won’t be hard), volunteer at something (yes that means giving your time which is possibly the most difficult thing to give), praise your family, work at relationships, overcome evil with good and always show and be kind … “be kind and compassionate” (Ephesians 4v32, The Bible).

 

With the economy as it is and the struggles ahead, I think we would all appreciate a neighbourly helping hand. Although giving money to charity is commendable, try to give time and a personal touch, make it real.

 

Ingrid x

 

(Written in June 2012)

 

I listened to this song again recently ... it’s an old one and written by a much younger woman than me ... it’s upbeat and catchy.

Free to be Me ~ Francesca Battistelli:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=4uOy8vbQXqI&feature=share

When I listen to the lyrics I realise they’re much more applicable to me now than ever. The older we get, the more dents and scars we get. The lesson is to get back up and learn to use God’s strength and vision when we’re challenged or knocked down the next time.

It’s when we’re on his shoulders that we become free to be ourselves ... imperfections and all. It’s what he expects and wants. If we were perfect then we wouldn’t need him! 

It’s amazing to me but you’ll know that throughout the Bible there are many examples of women and men whom God chose for important work and public office, but were failures in their every day lives ... they were weak and gave in to temptation or doubted God or tired to run away ... but it was how they responded when God didn’t give up on them, and how they grew in maturity, learning from their life experiences ... this was the key to being fit for God’s purpose for them. They were getting to know their God and could then deepen their trust and faith ... we can do the same.

Perfection is an enemy. Life is complicated, confusing, throws curve balls and will disappoint ... but when those times come, it’s the next step; the next attitude; the next response that truly matters. To grow in spiritual wisdom and reliance on God will bring peace, blessing and glory to Him.

Never stop learning and never stopped leaning on Jesus. Acquire wisdom and keep growing in spirit and in truth.

Ingrid x

Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, here’s what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snub evil and cultivate good; Run after peace for all you’re worth. God looks on all this with approval, listening and responding well to what he’s asked; But he turns his back on those who do evil things.

If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. 

Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. 

It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.

1 Peter 3v8-18 (The Message)

Midweek Thought ~ Freedom! ⛓ 🦅 🆓 🌄

John 8v36 “So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.

Isn't that just the best promise and truth to claim?

I wager that everyone reading this would agree to the fact that it is a human right to be free. Sadly there are many who do not experience freedom in this world. Human trafficking and modern slavery are on the rise ... it makes me feel sick and angry. How dare anyone presume to take anothers freedom from them. To be taken by force, bound and forced into labour without choice is barbaric. I am so full of admiration for the charities and organisations that work to rescue / release those affected and to reduce the horrifying statistics. 

I have 3 young children. I assume they will always be free as opposed to enslaved ... I hope and pray so. Anything to the contrary cannot enter my mind. Yet it is not so for many, even children. 

There are less visible ways of your freedom being taken from you which are far more prevalent in our western societies ... control; coercion; belittling; peer pressure; loneliness; the destruction of self worth; bullying; cyber crime; on line group chats for children. Often insidious and subtle to begin with, we can become victims without necessarily realising it before we've been stripped of the freedom to feel content being ourselves. The truth has become so abused that we believe lies and can feel trapped ... our liberty, gone. 

We need to safeguard ourselves and our children from such harm. Preserve, teach, learn and speak forth truth ... instil courage and conviction in our hearts and the hearts of our children.

But the Bible speaks about freedom from the sin we are all born into. Now this is a freedom which cannot be taken away, no matter where we find ourselves. I recall a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that tells the story of when he visited a prison and noticed an inmate who looked different to the others. It turned out that he had accepted Christ as his saviour whilst in prison (Free: https://youtube.com/watch?v=nc3SVvMqqa4&feature=share) 

Freedom from sin brings peace of heart. Knowing where you stand before the Lord leads to true freedom ... being free before Him gives confidence and genuine security. It enables you to adopt the truth about yourself ... how God sees you. 

Often though, we don't feel free. We can feel bound or restricted, maybe even afraid and in fear of attempting to gain true freedom. Feelings can blur the truth and will often dictate our actions or lack of them ... which may then aid in the continuance of feeling contained and limited. It is most definitely the truth which will set you free ... not feelings or falsehood, but truth ... God's truth.

God made you and me to be free ... free to be who he made us to be and to do what he made us to do. To love and share his glorious freedom which even death cannot rule or take away from you. The liberty and elevation that comes with this freedom will give you wings like eagles, to soar ... you will run and not be weary, you will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40v31). The imagery is so beautiful, exciting and uplifting. It's like a bud waiting to blossom or a chick wanting to take it's first flight ... there's no degradation or bondage, just the hope and expression of true liberating, inner peace. Whether you see it as the horizon over the lapping waves on a golden seashore; the eagle soaring to heights above a mountain top; or the eruption of cherry blossom in May ... your heart will experience something never to be forgotten, because it will remain ... liberty, true freedom in Christ.

Complete acceptance ... for you to be you. God is for you, not against you ... and if that is true (which it is), then what is there to fear? Break forth and be free indeed. Shine as the sun ... you are a city on a hill which cannot be hidden ... you are the light of the world!

Two songs to add to the one above:

Who You Say I Am ~ Hillsong Worship

https://youtube.com/watch?v=IcC1Bp13n_4&feature=share

City on a Hill ~ Jars of Clay

https://youtube.com/watch?v=gvY3SFZ0_zc&feature=share

Ingrid x