Take stock and admire the view

I live in one of the most beautiful places on the British Isles. Durham has; history, green, flowing water, and is stunning! The only downside; the hills! They are everywhere and there is no avoiding them, especially walking up to college on a morning.

Last week I decided to go for a walk, it was a gorgeous afternoon. Cold but bright. I headed, like a dog, towards the water. When I am in one of those kind of moods I just want to explore.

Explore I did! I found new paths and ways around. It was FANTASTIC! And for the most part I could hear the cathedral bells ringing out.

As I was walking I saw a bench by the river and felt inclined, a God nudging I call it, to sit. The view of the river was breathtaking!
I felt God say I want you to 'stop and admire the view'.

If you like climbing hills, as I do, if you didn't stop and rest you would wear yourself out and possibly cause yourself all kinds of injuries. Furthermore, if you kept climbing all the way to the top and didn't take stock and admire the view it would seem a bit of a pointless walk wouldn't it?!

So one thing I'm thinking about doing is stopping and admiring the view along this journey. I would like to invite you to do the same.

Can I invite you to make comments bellow my blog posts of anything which is challenging you.

Writing and journaling helps, in my experience, have you tried it?

I am setting myself the goal of taking myself physically out of college at set points in the day or week to write, have a coffee and 'admire the view'.

Part of the pause is to 'take stock' remember.

So take time to look how far you have come, what has challenged you?, what was helpful?, what have you learned? Then look forward to what comes next.

Have you got more of a climb to go?, are there resting places you can see along the way?, are you heading downhill after a pause of a while at the top?, what things can you see in the journey ahead where you can smile?, what might be the more difficult patches? Ready?

GO!

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you”.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

At the start of every New Year I like to reflect a little on the year before, what has stood out to me? What had God done in my life? What has changed? How do I feel about what has happened in the year just past? What have I learnt? Am I the same person I was at the start of last year? You get the idea.

So this year has been no different. As I have enjoyed the sunshine, fresh air and relaxing atmosphere of the start of this New Year I have been pondering whether to write a blog at all. If I did what on earth would I say?

Well I started with my first question; what has stood out to me this year?

I could list any number of things; the queens jubilee, the Olympics and the summer cafe outreach we as a church ran for the two week period that was on, or our amazing two week family holiday to Malta. Or how about the major transition of changing career path and accepting God’s calling to train for ministry in the church of England, then starting the training and all that has involved?!

Yes 2012 held some amazing highlights and some hard times too. I am sure if I racked my brains hard enough I could list so much more. However, what hit me above everything else is the incredible blessing God has given me in the friends He has provided me with!!

This year I have started to learn to depend on people in new ways, God has been trying to teach me this this year, and I have been shocked and amazed at the love and support I have received.  Yes God has brought loving, hospitable, caring, funny, intelligent, beautiful people into my life to share its journey with. People who have housed me (for a ridiculous number of months), fed me, looked after my stuff, ferried me around, played with me, watched films with me, let me cry and moan on their shoulders, people who have laughed with me, drank wine with me, walked and talked with me and so much more!!! Above all they have loved me. They are fantastic people!!

Some have recently entered my life, others have been around much longer, some even longer still. They have seen my grumpy, sad, challenging sides as well as some of the more amiable sides of my personality and character.

I don’t know why I have been blessed in such a way, God is good to us just because He loves us and I feel ultra special to have so many blessings around in my life!!! I would be lost without these people and I thank God daily for them.

If you are one of these people – thank you!! Please know I love you and value your impact on my life, but more importantly God loves you and is using you for His glory (even on the days you don’t feel like it.)

I believe we are made to be in relationship with one another and although this is not always easy God does bless us with important people to share this adventure of life with. I look forward to sharing the year ahead with the people who God has blessed me with more and more.

In 2013 there will be more new people who will enter my life and who knows what kind of impact they will have?! Every relationship will change, the always are, but some will change more dramatically than others as they will move, start new jobs and bless other people’s lives and although I am not looking forward to this I know it is God’s plan and purpose and I shall trust His provision knowing He will solidify the relationships He has blessed me with in new and exciting ways.

Looking back to the year just gone and looking forward to the year ahead what stands out and inspires you?

I hope you have a fantastic year whatever it holds for you and quoting a very good friend of mine ‘May you be blessed by and be a blessing to the people who are in your life’ in 2013.

Love, Deborah ><>