Glowing Red

If you've been wondering why I've been absent for (quite) a few months... here's a glimpse ;)

It was during winter that we were asked to take the reigns of a church in Centurion  and to co-lead together with two other pastoral couples.

A sudden change.

Like cold wind blowing unexpectantly into a warm house.

The wind was cold and surprised me at first but it was a welcoming fresh breath of air and I had such peace about this “suddenly”.

I have learnt that God loves to work with “suddenlies”- sudden surprises that might seem overwhelming at first but end up being much more than a blessing!

Our new family at Highway Church, Centurion: what a blessing its been!

But it has not been without hiccups. The transition of leadership went so well, and we fell in love with the congregation right from the start-strangers that became and is becoming close friends. The challenge for me was to mother three kids who were overly-excited and curious and a tiny bit overwhelmed.


Just to give you an idea… at our first Sunday meeting I ended up sitting outside with a whining six year old -moaning about wanting the pink yogurt that Warren, her brother got. All of a sudden, her yellow yogurt was not good enough (what!). She was making such a racket in the church that I couldn’t quietly sort out the problem and then there was Dillan, the other brother, almost two, wanting to explore the place… not sitting still for a minute. (Yes, even pastors kids are just... kids :)

Our first two lifegroup visits were heaps of “fun” too. At our first visit, Dillan refused to sleep, ending up on my lap where I sat, stuck, for there was no way I could quietly and unobtrusively exit the room. I knew this was going to end badly when Dillan started to play with the heart stones on the coffee table in front of me. Everyone was very accommodating and told me to let him play. I wanted to tell them that that would be a horrible mistake but it would only have made matters worse… I was already blushing like a red rose (but less pretty) and felt all eyes on me. Anyways, it did end badly with Dillan throwing a large stone right on my crotch… ouch! My cheeks weren't the only part of my body that was on fire...

At the time the humiliation hurt. But in retrospect in was quite amusing and entertaining even if it was at my expense, and yes, I am chuckling (now).




Catalysts for mommy's red-turning notions? Never...! Dillan (left) and Warren

 

The next week we went to another lifegroup and once again, Dillan did not want to sleep. So he ended up playing with blocks on the floor in front of me… what a noise he made! But there was nothing I could do except act as if I wasn’t aware of the noise, although I’m pretty sure nobody was fooled since, again, I turned blood red! (A glowing ember is hard to miss and I could feel the heat radiating from within me or was I mistaken? It was a hot summers night, alright ;) Thereafter, the other two older children (supposedly asleep) threw out all the toys out of the toy box in the playroom where they just about wrecked the room! I was so embarrassed.

It’s been a red-turning, seeing-red real challenge but the funny thing is: next week, I’ll do it again.

Not because I have to, but because I want to.

If I give up simply because its inconvenient (to blush and light up like a firecracker), I will miss out on so much more, like getting to meet new people; being encouraged and being an encouragor, gaining insight into God's Word; the opportunity to worship together, the opportunity to train and teach my children (how to look after other kids' toys etc.) and for them to get to know and feel part of this community and to grow in knowledge of Christ. And the added benefit? Humility :)

So, yes, I turn blood red for the gospel and I will keep on doing it gracefully! I have nothing to complain about, except perhaps a bruised ego, for I have not had to shed

 a single drop of blood...

I am humbled by the antics of my kids but through this, I cling more to God.

When I am weak, He is strong and the truth is that people need to know that in ourselves we are human- that it is not our perfection that counts (for there is no such thing as perfection) but our desperation for God.

Our desire to do His will midst the challenges of life: true faith. 
Real inspiration!

My motto and encouragement to other moms: “In quietness and trust is your strength” It is vital to find quiet moments to converse with God and reading His Word really helps to still our hearts and minds from the busyness of life.

As I continue to put my trust in God, He is faithful and He will sustain me through the loud and awkward moments of raising kids.

In this, I will find strength for every day and even for those rough, rouge, really-humbling moments*.

Call me Ruby :)

*Ok, I might be the only mom who has moments where my children embarrass me. or not.

This post is about our attitude in these glowing moments and perhaps that God uses even these less memorable moments to shape our own lives and get us to cling tighter to Him?