Just got home from our annual pilgrimage to the Skyshow - the big fireworks display in our city to celebrate Australia Day. I've done it every year since I can remember; with the youth group as a young teenager, with various dates over my young adulthood, with my ex while living up in the city, as a single mum with one of my best friends and now with my hubby, kids and a big group of church friends. The Skyshow has become a set tradition in my family and it's gotten me thinking about what being Australian really means to me, and what I should be teaching the kids about being born "young and free".
We truly live in a lucky country, a land of so many opportunities but many times we can get so caught up chasing after what we haven't got and miss the blessing in what we really do already have.
We don't have devastating poverty, we have a welfare system.
We don't have a corrupt dictatorship government, we live in a democracy.
We have freedom of speech and freedom of religion and we are totally free to exercise these.
We have access to good medical care, uncontaminated food and water, safe public transport.
I could go on and on...
I want my kids to know that men fought and died so we could have this, women lost their husbands, children lost their fathers for us to live "young and free". People gave a great sacrifice so that we could sit back tonight and watch amazing fireworks in a free country.
I'm proud to be an Aussie, to be True Blue, a Skippy chick, Dinky Di. This is my country and I'm proud of it.
God bless Australia.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Kiss the Bride
On Friday my husband and I had the honour of witnessing the wedding of our pastor's daughter. It was a stunning beach ceremony followed by a very meaningful reception in the beautiful South West of our State. The bride is absolutely drop dead gorgeous and her groom is a hottie, but that wasn't what made this such a moving wedding. The reception was a unique blend of Australian/Italian and New Zealand/Maori culture which was in itself thoroughly enjoyable and insightful.
However - for me, the thing that stood out from all of the above was the fact that this gorgeous young couple have united together throughout their dating and courting and have honoured God in every way. They have sought first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in every way. They haven't compromised.
To see a very modern young couple walking the path of abstinence until marriage is truly unique in today's Western world where sex before marriage is encouraged and usually "the norm". To know the pressures put on young people to follow that norm and to see them stand up and shun this, knowing that there is a "far more excellent way" is what made this so special to me.
I have watched this young lady grow up and if I could have anything for my daughter it would be for her to follow in the footsteps of this bride. I have seen the depth of the commitment to God of this groom and my heart deeply desires this for my teenage son. I have also seen the way my pastors have parented their children over the years, the intimacy in their relationships with their kids, the way they haven't compromised God's standards in their lives. I see the depth of their walk with the Lord in everything they do.
Raising a bride like Bianca and a groom like Jordy doesn't just "happen". It takes dedicated prayer, devotion to parenting and unconditional love 24/7...
I am so very proud of this young couple, but not half as proud as their parents are, and I have been truly inspired this weekend that this adventure of parenting is worth it all.
However - for me, the thing that stood out from all of the above was the fact that this gorgeous young couple have united together throughout their dating and courting and have honoured God in every way. They have sought first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in every way. They haven't compromised.
To see a very modern young couple walking the path of abstinence until marriage is truly unique in today's Western world where sex before marriage is encouraged and usually "the norm". To know the pressures put on young people to follow that norm and to see them stand up and shun this, knowing that there is a "far more excellent way" is what made this so special to me.
I have watched this young lady grow up and if I could have anything for my daughter it would be for her to follow in the footsteps of this bride. I have seen the depth of the commitment to God of this groom and my heart deeply desires this for my teenage son. I have also seen the way my pastors have parented their children over the years, the intimacy in their relationships with their kids, the way they haven't compromised God's standards in their lives. I see the depth of their walk with the Lord in everything they do.
Raising a bride like Bianca and a groom like Jordy doesn't just "happen". It takes dedicated prayer, devotion to parenting and unconditional love 24/7...
I am so very proud of this young couple, but not half as proud as their parents are, and I have been truly inspired this weekend that this adventure of parenting is worth it all.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Little Foxes
It's no real secret that I enjoy my garden. To me, sitting and enjoying my morning cuppa on my bench and checking out how much my plants have grown overnight is a big good morning kiss from heaven.
However - general busyness, hot or cold weather, work, or just slack times often means that my dreamy little "Better Homes and Gardens" ideal looks more like "Backyard Blitz" before they start..! Usually when this happens it means rolling up the sleeves and getting down and dirty. It also usually means that I'm gonna end up aching all over for a few days too. Every time I swear to myself that "if only I did just a little bit everyday.........."
Marriage is sooo like my garden - well mine is anyway.
If I fertilise with loving words, water with kindness and encouragement and sow seeds of selflessness then I'm going to harvest those in return.
When I am diligent I try to pull out the little weeds of attitude everyday, prune back the clever comebacks (and I have a few good ones up my sleeve!), dead head the selfishness, uproot the discontent and "catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of my love" Song of Solomon 2:15.
But I'm not as diligent as I'd like to be...
I see my pastors marriage and to me that is a fruitful, blossoming, healthy marriage - it is a "Better Homes" garden. I'm sure they have weeds, but they pick them out early and don't let them grow into big "Jack and the Beanstalk" arguments which are harder to uproot and hurt pulling out.
To have a lush, fruitful garden takes time and effort, but the harvest and rewards are worth it - how much more worth it is marriage?
Think it's time I pulled on the garden gloves and sharpened up the secateurs, and got down and dirty.......
However - general busyness, hot or cold weather, work, or just slack times often means that my dreamy little "Better Homes and Gardens" ideal looks more like "Backyard Blitz" before they start..! Usually when this happens it means rolling up the sleeves and getting down and dirty. It also usually means that I'm gonna end up aching all over for a few days too. Every time I swear to myself that "if only I did just a little bit everyday.........."
Marriage is sooo like my garden - well mine is anyway.
If I fertilise with loving words, water with kindness and encouragement and sow seeds of selflessness then I'm going to harvest those in return.
When I am diligent I try to pull out the little weeds of attitude everyday, prune back the clever comebacks (and I have a few good ones up my sleeve!), dead head the selfishness, uproot the discontent and "catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of my love" Song of Solomon 2:15.
But I'm not as diligent as I'd like to be...
I see my pastors marriage and to me that is a fruitful, blossoming, healthy marriage - it is a "Better Homes" garden. I'm sure they have weeds, but they pick them out early and don't let them grow into big "Jack and the Beanstalk" arguments which are harder to uproot and hurt pulling out.
To have a lush, fruitful garden takes time and effort, but the harvest and rewards are worth it - how much more worth it is marriage?
Think it's time I pulled on the garden gloves and sharpened up the secateurs, and got down and dirty.......
Thursday, January 13, 2011
It's only the beginning
Whenever I start something new Deborah Conway's song finds it's way to my lips; "It's only the beginning, and I've already gone and lost my mind".
Well let's hope I've not lost mine just yet.
This blogging thing is new to me, but journaling down my thoughts isn't, creative writing isn't and talking about myself certainly isn't!!! So here goes....
The inspiration for this blog? Mrs duckegg blue and teacups too (who I'm sure will show me how to put a link in!)
The inspiration for my blog title? Two long time friends and a little joke we've often shared - whenever we've been particularly creative in the kitchen or garden, been super motherly with our children, or simply had a rather virtuous day the phrase "Well colour me red and call me Ruby" has chimed out. Why? Well the three of us have on occasion been known to read "Above Rubies" magazines and have aspired to be "a Ruby wife".
Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? Her value/worth is far above rubies"
No I don't have 16 and counting children.
Yes I am homeschooling my kids this year.
No I don't spin yarn! But yes I do desire to be a Proverbs 31 wife and mother.
I want to be clothed with strength and dignity and laugh with no fear of the future. When I speak I want my words to be wise and for kindness to be the rule when I give instruction. I want to carefully watch over the ways of my household and not have to bear the consequences of laziness. v 25 - 27
This is why I'm blogging, this is my journey.
(Plus - my favourite colour is RED!)
Well let's hope I've not lost mine just yet.
This blogging thing is new to me, but journaling down my thoughts isn't, creative writing isn't and talking about myself certainly isn't!!! So here goes....
The inspiration for this blog? Mrs duckegg blue and teacups too (who I'm sure will show me how to put a link in!)
The inspiration for my blog title? Two long time friends and a little joke we've often shared - whenever we've been particularly creative in the kitchen or garden, been super motherly with our children, or simply had a rather virtuous day the phrase "Well colour me red and call me Ruby" has chimed out. Why? Well the three of us have on occasion been known to read "Above Rubies" magazines and have aspired to be "a Ruby wife".
Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? Her value/worth is far above rubies"
No I don't have 16 and counting children.
Yes I am homeschooling my kids this year.
No I don't spin yarn! But yes I do desire to be a Proverbs 31 wife and mother.
I want to be clothed with strength and dignity and laugh with no fear of the future. When I speak I want my words to be wise and for kindness to be the rule when I give instruction. I want to carefully watch over the ways of my household and not have to bear the consequences of laziness. v 25 - 27
This is why I'm blogging, this is my journey.
(Plus - my favourite colour is RED!)
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