Have you ever found yourself reflecting on the path that your life has taken and wondering how different things might have been if you had gone right instead of left, stopped rather than kept going, spoken and not kept quiet? Yesterday I found myself in a situation with an hour or so to wait for some family members to join me for an appointment. As I looked around I saw people going about doing their jobs, one for which I had studied very hard for a number of years. I had decided to change course after a couple of years and ended up with a totally different career. I reviewed the outcome of my decision to change direction and wondered how different my life would have been if I had stuck to my first choice. "Hmmm", as a good friend always says spelling it out!
When I was eventually joined by my party, a younger sibling also had occasion to reflect on her life choices and voiced her questions about how different the day would have been if she had made different decisions also. "Ditto" I thought. But there is no way for us to know whether our positions would have been any better than they are presently. We know for sure things would have been different but the question becomes different good or different bad; there's no way of knowing and perhaps that's as it should be. It would be impossible to live with complete knowledge of every possible outcome for simple minds such as ours!
Then I got to thinking; Isn't God just awesome! He knows every possible outcome. He also knows exactly which road we will choose and how our lives will be lived out in the final analysis! He knows what is good for us and better still, exactly what is best for us. He knows when we have made a wrong turn, a wrong choice because we fail to consult Him or listen to Him. Yet He never leaves us nor forsake us! He is with us to the uttermost; even if we "make our bed in hell",He is there with us.
So why do we not realoze and accept that God Knows All things, sees everything from the beginning to the end, wants to guide us in the Way, the Truth and the Life, Has a love so deep and wide that He gave His Son to die for our restoration to an intimate, Father-walk with Him through every situation, every step of life's journey? Why do we make decisions without consulting Him, why do we ask but not listen and obey our Father's direction?
Isaiah 30:21 is a reminder by the prophet that the Lord is with us, not just as a passive Bystander allowing us to make poor choices but He is actively encouraging us to become all that He has planned for us; planned and destined before we were born. The text advises us: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it, when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left". This is a promise from our Divine Creator, Our Father God!
Over the years I have accepted that I mess up all the time, making decisions and choices for the wrong reasons. Or,for the right reasons at the wrong time and a million variations that all come down to one thing; they are MY decisions to have My own way - Zaidie-centred thinking for Zaidie-centred benefits that leads to Zaidie-centred problems! I am thankful that God is patient, long-suffereing, merciful and kind to His wayward daughter. I am thankful that I have learnt to trust Him more and more. I am thankful that I have leant to rest upon His promises because of His grace in giving me greater undertanding and divine wisdom.
I am not sorry about the road I have chosen to travel in my life. I do not regret the decisions I have made at my various crossroads because I Know that my Lord walks with me today and He will be with me to the very end of time! I know that every experience is a lesson to be learnt, a message to be shared, a testimony to be published abroad by words, deeds and thoughts. I know that Romans 8:28 is the whole truth and nothing but the truth: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose".
Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is indeed out of sight;it's difficult to know what will be the consequences of today's choices on tomorrow's outcomes but we know Someone who does! That Someone is Jesus! Let's depend on Him to guide our decisons as well as our footsteps because He cares for us. He not only knows what's best,He desires only the best;His best for us. Love & Blessings. LadyZaidie
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
A big little word
"But" is a big little word that can destroy lives, destroy one's future, ones's dreams, hopes and salvation. Let's look at a few of the situations that this little word controls. A motorist says to a group of pals:"I was gonna take a taxi but I can't be bothered with the hassle to come get my car tomorrow so I'll drive us home; I'll be careful". There was only one survivor when his car filled with 3 friends collided with the SUV of a couple refturning from a week's holiday.The family of 4 died and so did the driver and 2 of his friends!
"Mum and Dad would kill me if they knew that I am having sex with a boy I just linked with on facebook but it's just some harmless fun; I'm not hurting anyone", said the young teenage girl. Sometime later as she lay dying from AIDS; her family is devastated, Mom and Dad are blaming each other for not being better parents, and she realises that she will not live long enough to celebrate her sixteenth birthday.
"Doing homework is just too boring. I should really do it but I'll just play on my PS3 for a while". The homework never got done and that was just the beginning of a pattern of behaviour that led to a failure of all exams and no high school diploma!
"I would like to be a doctor but..." "I wish I could ... but..."
"I want to commit my life to God but..."
Think about the power of that little word "but". It has the power to determine what kind of life one lives, how one lives, and even if one actually keep living at all. Even more importantly, whether one has eternal salvation or not often depends on whether we find an excuse to say no to God. "But" so very often really means "no". The Apostle Paul says that he desires to do good but he finds himself doing the wrong that he does not want to and all of us can relate to this sentiment.
In truth there is a war that wages for our minds, bodies and spirits. Our sinful nature is at war with our Creator; we joined the rebellion against His Kingdom when our first parents choose to break the Father's command in Eden. Yet this has never caused Him to stop loving us; wanting us to "come home" to Him. He implemented His Plan of our Redemption; giving His only Begotten Son to die for us on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus obediently suffered crucifixion and death to save us even while we were the ones killing Him! Greater love is not to be found in this or any other world.
"But" is a big little word indeed but there is an even bigger little word and that is "love". If we love God with all our hearts; if we love each other; if we make a choice to accept the gift of salvation and be like Jesus, then love, God's love will assure us an eternal inheritance as sons and daughters of the Most High God; Sovereign Lord of Heaven and earth and all creation!God is Love! "But" may be a big little word alright but surely there is no bigger little word than "love" - it is the greatest!
1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Meditate on Love. Blessings to you all. LadyZaidie
"Mum and Dad would kill me if they knew that I am having sex with a boy I just linked with on facebook but it's just some harmless fun; I'm not hurting anyone", said the young teenage girl. Sometime later as she lay dying from AIDS; her family is devastated, Mom and Dad are blaming each other for not being better parents, and she realises that she will not live long enough to celebrate her sixteenth birthday.
"Doing homework is just too boring. I should really do it but I'll just play on my PS3 for a while". The homework never got done and that was just the beginning of a pattern of behaviour that led to a failure of all exams and no high school diploma!
"I would like to be a doctor but..." "I wish I could ... but..."
"I want to commit my life to God but..."
Think about the power of that little word "but". It has the power to determine what kind of life one lives, how one lives, and even if one actually keep living at all. Even more importantly, whether one has eternal salvation or not often depends on whether we find an excuse to say no to God. "But" so very often really means "no". The Apostle Paul says that he desires to do good but he finds himself doing the wrong that he does not want to and all of us can relate to this sentiment.
In truth there is a war that wages for our minds, bodies and spirits. Our sinful nature is at war with our Creator; we joined the rebellion against His Kingdom when our first parents choose to break the Father's command in Eden. Yet this has never caused Him to stop loving us; wanting us to "come home" to Him. He implemented His Plan of our Redemption; giving His only Begotten Son to die for us on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus obediently suffered crucifixion and death to save us even while we were the ones killing Him! Greater love is not to be found in this or any other world.
"But" is a big little word indeed but there is an even bigger little word and that is "love". If we love God with all our hearts; if we love each other; if we make a choice to accept the gift of salvation and be like Jesus, then love, God's love will assure us an eternal inheritance as sons and daughters of the Most High God; Sovereign Lord of Heaven and earth and all creation!God is Love! "But" may be a big little word alright but surely there is no bigger little word than "love" - it is the greatest!
1 Corinthians 13:13 - "And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Meditate on Love. Blessings to you all. LadyZaidie
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Undercover Love
Are you one of those people who has to pararde every emotion, every thought, word and deed to the whole world to get a response, validation, affirmation whatever? Do you wear your heart on your sleeve occasionally or all the time? If you hurt, do you want everyone around to know and notice? How about when some good stuff is happening with your life; are you one of those individuals that want all your friends to celebrate with you? What about if you do something you are ashamed of, what then or if you do a good deed?
We all have our own way and we all do things for different reasons. But I think we should be sure that we do not risk living our lives for other people's approval or disappoval. We need to examine why we do the things we do, and what is the benefit of our actions and approaches to the experiences of our life's journey. There should be careful choices about the things we share, the things we publish and the things that we keep under wraps. Equally, we should choose our audience very carefully. There are some matters where the Jesus advises us to perform for an audience of One.
For example, when you help a person in need you should do so privately even anonymously if at all possible. Don't do it so that others can applaud you or the recipient can heap praises on you. Show your love, do your good deeds for the love of God only; for the love you have for Him who first loved you and have so blessed you. Do your good deeds in SECRET and the only One who sees and knows will reward you openly! So keep your love and your acts of love UNDERCOVER. God Bless you OPENLY! LadyZaidie
We all have our own way and we all do things for different reasons. But I think we should be sure that we do not risk living our lives for other people's approval or disappoval. We need to examine why we do the things we do, and what is the benefit of our actions and approaches to the experiences of our life's journey. There should be careful choices about the things we share, the things we publish and the things that we keep under wraps. Equally, we should choose our audience very carefully. There are some matters where the Jesus advises us to perform for an audience of One.
For example, when you help a person in need you should do so privately even anonymously if at all possible. Don't do it so that others can applaud you or the recipient can heap praises on you. Show your love, do your good deeds for the love of God only; for the love you have for Him who first loved you and have so blessed you. Do your good deeds in SECRET and the only One who sees and knows will reward you openly! So keep your love and your acts of love UNDERCOVER. God Bless you OPENLY! LadyZaidie
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Choose To Be Chosen
Do you feel at peace with yourself? Do you question your purpose,wonder what's next, try to see just where the road ahead is leading? How do you choose?
I have been thinking about the matter of being chosen by God. When we give our lives to God,make the wisest possible choice to serve Him,it is not because we have been smart enough to figure that it is the best thing to do and the best person to be and the best road to take.
The truth is that we of ourselves would not, cannot choose the best life which is in Christ Jesus. In our sinful state we never seek after the Lord;it is He that seeks after us!He is the Good Shepherd that seeks after the one lost sheep that strays into danger.He is the King that steps down from His throne and exchange place with a degenerate rebel in order to restore him to an eternal life of perfection, peace and prosperity in the Kingdom of Love and Righteousness.He is the One who stands at your heart's door knocking;asking you to hear His voice,receive His love,return to your position and your inheritance as a child of the Most High God;the Supreme Ruler of the universe!
In other words, you are called and chosen by the Lord. You have not chosen Him, He has chosen you and He will keep on choosing you every single day of your life! You are special.You are royalty.You are worth more than all the silver and gold in the world.You are valued so much by God that He became a man and died in your place;in my place.You and I are so special not because of our choices.Not because of our self esteem or pride.Not because we are smart and make smart decisions.Not because we are wise and stay out of trouble.Not because of our parents,where we are born or when. Not because we have earned anything of such great value.Not because we've got it all together.We are special because God considers us to be special!So very special!!
He chose to create us.Then,He chose to save us when we rebelled against Him,went to war with Him,turned our backs on Him,disobeyed and continue to disregard Him.He chose us to be His very own children;sons and daughters.HE CHOSE so that You and I can CHOOSE life or death;eternal life with Him or eternal death and non-existence. CHOOSE TO BE CHOSEN.
In order to be sure of our identity,our purpose,our place and our destination we only have to make one decision.That decision is to accept that God has,is,choosing you right now and He will always choose you as His own.Choosing to accept that God chooses us will settle all the questions that I started out asking,perfectly. So whether you are living with certainty or confusion is not the first or most important question.The first thing is to choose to be chosen by God and then all your answers will line up with that fundamental reality.You will live a divinely chosen life designed by the Divine Himself for us.I like to be special.I want to live a special life.I choose to be a Chosen of the Lord!What is your choice?
Love and Blessings
LadyZaidie
Monday, December 27, 2010
A Mission Field Beside You!
So as usual, I get talking to anyone that is near me while I am out and about. That's just me. I like talking to people. I call it my TalkTalk Ministry. Today, I am in an excellent frame of mind waiting to collect some money from Western Union sent by my niece for Christmas presents. It was not just the fact of the money that I was in a good mood;it was really a very beautiful day. I was just in a sweet communion with the Father on my drive to the store - I find that when I am driving it is the perfect time to just pray and praise! - So now I was full of the joy of His love. And as we all know,love is liquid, it flows and it increases exponentially as it flows. One just cannot keep it bottled up inside. It has to flow out. I say a bright and cheery hello and enquire into the well being of people who cross my path. I strike up conversations every chance I get. I share a word of encouragement in and out of season as the Spirit leads.
So here I am in the queue and there are two people waiting behind me. Two gentlemen. The second announces to the Assistant that he is there to collect his winnings from the lottery. Two winning tickets, he said. Then he says the amounts. I chuckled and said I thought he was about to say a much larger sum to which he replies "From your mouth to the ears of the gods". I immediately noted in my mind; "the gods". Well OK. After all my God is not into the gambling thing so its no wonder he said the gods. Alright.
The conversation continued about the eclipse that had just taken place. It was agreed by all that we were unable to see it due to the cloud coverage. This was apparently the first time in around 400 years that this kind of eclipse had taken place - a full lunar eclipse on the night of the winter solstice - and it was not expected to occur again for another 300 plus years. OK.
Then the same gentleman went on to say, it was a very good night for magic rituals as the power of spells etc would be greatly multipled. It is never my wish to cause offence but without thought I responded that the world does not need the power of magic to be increased any more.
He kinda laughed and quickly said by way of explanation I guess; "But we were doing healing magic - the good kind". "The good kind of magic, what is commonly referrred to as white magic?" I asked. "Yes, a friend had a double mastectomy and had developed an infection so we were performing healing rituals. We are very confident of a good result because of the special powers that were in the atmosphere on the night of this special eclipse", he explained.
Well, what does one say without offending or is it to be accepted by Believers that the truth will cause offense?
My heart became heavy. The singing in my mind was silenced. I began to pray, to intercede for this man. I was so saddened by this conversation. I was sad for the lady who needed healing, sad for her friends, sad for the deception and lies of the enemy that twists the magesty of God's creative power and turn it into a means for the magnification of evil. The devil sure is a liar. Satan is still trying his every effort to steal God's glory and to destroy mankind's faith in God. Healing comes from the Lord; it is freely given to those who believe, who trust, who ask in His will.
But instead people are misled into seeking and believing in a counterfeit. Our inborn need to worship is perverted and the enemy of the human race seeks to take God's place in our hearts, minds,body and spirit. He seeks only to destroy our chance of restoration to the family of God. The family that he walked away from and can never get back into because he desired to exalt himself above the Lord, who is the one God!
The work of declaring the gospel among our family, friends and neighbours;in our communities and our countries is still urgent and it is needed now more than ever before. The enemy knows that his time is running out and he is intent on taking as many souls to hell with him as he can,just to hurt and defy God. We like to refer to ourselves as living in a Christian country but truthfully we need to look and see that the harvest is plenty and ready for labourers right here and right now. There is pseudo-christian mentality that has become very pervasive - we have a form of godliness but we live in denial of the power that it has unto salvation in Jesus Christ our Saviour!
We must share Jesus and Him crucified for our sins, resurrected with the key to death,the grave and hell and now seated at the Father's right hand. He is ready to intercede for us, plead for us, advocate on our behalf so that we might share His heritage as sons and daughters of the Most High, Jehovah God. We need to recognise that the mission field is right here in our families and our communities, not just in distant lands.
The Lord has commissioned and commanded us to share the good news right where we are, right now. And do not for a minute think that everyone around you knows the truth already. That is what the devil would like us to believe. He is the deceiver and he is the master counterfeit artist. Speak the truth of salvation and the Holy Spirit will bring conviction. Sow a seed even, the watering will be done by another of God's children and the Holy Spirit will bring about the increase; a harvest of righteousness.
All hail the name of Jesus; let us adore and worship Him and only Him for He is the Creator, the Healer, the Redeemer, the Lover of our souls, the one true God. Beware the Counterfeit. Look to the Son of God and serve only Him. Share these truths every time the opportunity arises; seize the moment to minister the love of Jesus to our misguided, mistaken fellow human.
If anyone or anything is getting the glory, the honour and the praise other than the Lord, that is the work of Satan. No two ways about it. "Give unto caesar the things that are caesar's and unto God the things that are God's". Worship is God's. Awe, respect, honour, glory, exhaltation, praise, thanksgiving, authority and dominion all belong to Him. Spread the gospel to everyone; Share the Love every chance that you get. Let God be praised by everything that has breath. AMEN,AMEN AND AMEN! LadyZaidie
So here I am in the queue and there are two people waiting behind me. Two gentlemen. The second announces to the Assistant that he is there to collect his winnings from the lottery. Two winning tickets, he said. Then he says the amounts. I chuckled and said I thought he was about to say a much larger sum to which he replies "From your mouth to the ears of the gods". I immediately noted in my mind; "the gods". Well OK. After all my God is not into the gambling thing so its no wonder he said the gods. Alright.
The conversation continued about the eclipse that had just taken place. It was agreed by all that we were unable to see it due to the cloud coverage. This was apparently the first time in around 400 years that this kind of eclipse had taken place - a full lunar eclipse on the night of the winter solstice - and it was not expected to occur again for another 300 plus years. OK.
Then the same gentleman went on to say, it was a very good night for magic rituals as the power of spells etc would be greatly multipled. It is never my wish to cause offence but without thought I responded that the world does not need the power of magic to be increased any more.
He kinda laughed and quickly said by way of explanation I guess; "But we were doing healing magic - the good kind". "The good kind of magic, what is commonly referrred to as white magic?" I asked. "Yes, a friend had a double mastectomy and had developed an infection so we were performing healing rituals. We are very confident of a good result because of the special powers that were in the atmosphere on the night of this special eclipse", he explained.
Well, what does one say without offending or is it to be accepted by Believers that the truth will cause offense?
My heart became heavy. The singing in my mind was silenced. I began to pray, to intercede for this man. I was so saddened by this conversation. I was sad for the lady who needed healing, sad for her friends, sad for the deception and lies of the enemy that twists the magesty of God's creative power and turn it into a means for the magnification of evil. The devil sure is a liar. Satan is still trying his every effort to steal God's glory and to destroy mankind's faith in God. Healing comes from the Lord; it is freely given to those who believe, who trust, who ask in His will.
But instead people are misled into seeking and believing in a counterfeit. Our inborn need to worship is perverted and the enemy of the human race seeks to take God's place in our hearts, minds,body and spirit. He seeks only to destroy our chance of restoration to the family of God. The family that he walked away from and can never get back into because he desired to exalt himself above the Lord, who is the one God!
The work of declaring the gospel among our family, friends and neighbours;in our communities and our countries is still urgent and it is needed now more than ever before. The enemy knows that his time is running out and he is intent on taking as many souls to hell with him as he can,just to hurt and defy God. We like to refer to ourselves as living in a Christian country but truthfully we need to look and see that the harvest is plenty and ready for labourers right here and right now. There is pseudo-christian mentality that has become very pervasive - we have a form of godliness but we live in denial of the power that it has unto salvation in Jesus Christ our Saviour!
We must share Jesus and Him crucified for our sins, resurrected with the key to death,the grave and hell and now seated at the Father's right hand. He is ready to intercede for us, plead for us, advocate on our behalf so that we might share His heritage as sons and daughters of the Most High, Jehovah God. We need to recognise that the mission field is right here in our families and our communities, not just in distant lands.
The Lord has commissioned and commanded us to share the good news right where we are, right now. And do not for a minute think that everyone around you knows the truth already. That is what the devil would like us to believe. He is the deceiver and he is the master counterfeit artist. Speak the truth of salvation and the Holy Spirit will bring conviction. Sow a seed even, the watering will be done by another of God's children and the Holy Spirit will bring about the increase; a harvest of righteousness.
All hail the name of Jesus; let us adore and worship Him and only Him for He is the Creator, the Healer, the Redeemer, the Lover of our souls, the one true God. Beware the Counterfeit. Look to the Son of God and serve only Him. Share these truths every time the opportunity arises; seize the moment to minister the love of Jesus to our misguided, mistaken fellow human.
If anyone or anything is getting the glory, the honour and the praise other than the Lord, that is the work of Satan. No two ways about it. "Give unto caesar the things that are caesar's and unto God the things that are God's". Worship is God's. Awe, respect, honour, glory, exhaltation, praise, thanksgiving, authority and dominion all belong to Him. Spread the gospel to everyone; Share the Love every chance that you get. Let God be praised by everything that has breath. AMEN,AMEN AND AMEN! LadyZaidie
Friday, November 19, 2010
5 HOURS AT THE AIRPORT
Recently, I spent 5 hours at the airport waiting. You might immediately think "oh no!" But actually it was such a lovely experience. I had an opportunity to speak with so many people. I was in such a good place that I was able to actually enjoy the break. It was a mini holiday in itself really. You know, I actually think that people watching is one of the most interesting ways to spend time that you have to spare and circumstances allows.
I had a book with me, I had my my word search magazine - I love word search - I had my music. But for some reason I had a desire for human interaction one on one or even as an interested bystander, seeing people living. Human beings are just so diverse, so colourful, so interesting, so beautiful. Didn't our God do an awesome job when He made us?!
As you can imagine, being at an airport meant there was such a representation of the many nations and cultures of this world. But they all had one thing in common; that one thing was love. As friends and families greeted each other or said goodbye, one could almost touch the love that enveloped the atmosphere. "Parting is such sweet sorrow" as Shakespeare says and there is such joy in meeting after periods of separation! People watching affords vicarious pleasure and pain. It also gave me the chance to pray for so many people as I had the privilege to share, albeit remotely, in a few moments of their lives.
During my five hours I was also fortunate to chat one on one with some very interesting individuals. I was even more fortunate that they shared their life stories and we had the chance to talk about the mercies and the favour of the Almighty. One gentleman was Jewish and became a christian when he met and fell in love with a christian woman. He accepted Jesus as his Saviour and 20 plus years later is still rejoicing in his salvation. His children are growing up in Christ and they have been on several mission trips to developing nations including Jamaica. Wow!!
I met a man of God, a pastor who has a ministry that involves running a Bible College, training workers for the Kingdom. Our conversation brought confirmation on a major issue that I was interceding with God about. In that place at that particular time, God knew what I needed and He provided the right person to pour into my spirit. Glory to God!
I shared some good laughs and discussed some observations that raised questions of national security and by implication personal safety with a couple waiting to meet relatives. We live in very uncertain times and people are scared. Scared it seems of almost everything. Scared for their future, their family, their faith in man and God. But the word of God exhorts us not to be afraid but rather to place all our trust in the Lord who is able to keep us through it all. I was blessed to be a blessing to this couple.
It was good to be able to take time out from myself. It was good to share the love of Christ. It was a blessing to meet the Lord in the people that came across my path. It was an honour to worship in this way, at that place; It was great to spend five hours at the International Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta - It was great because the Lord was there too!! Love your neighbour as you love yourselves and pray without ceasing for them even as you pray for you and your own!!
I had a book with me, I had my my word search magazine - I love word search - I had my music. But for some reason I had a desire for human interaction one on one or even as an interested bystander, seeing people living. Human beings are just so diverse, so colourful, so interesting, so beautiful. Didn't our God do an awesome job when He made us?!
As you can imagine, being at an airport meant there was such a representation of the many nations and cultures of this world. But they all had one thing in common; that one thing was love. As friends and families greeted each other or said goodbye, one could almost touch the love that enveloped the atmosphere. "Parting is such sweet sorrow" as Shakespeare says and there is such joy in meeting after periods of separation! People watching affords vicarious pleasure and pain. It also gave me the chance to pray for so many people as I had the privilege to share, albeit remotely, in a few moments of their lives.
During my five hours I was also fortunate to chat one on one with some very interesting individuals. I was even more fortunate that they shared their life stories and we had the chance to talk about the mercies and the favour of the Almighty. One gentleman was Jewish and became a christian when he met and fell in love with a christian woman. He accepted Jesus as his Saviour and 20 plus years later is still rejoicing in his salvation. His children are growing up in Christ and they have been on several mission trips to developing nations including Jamaica. Wow!!
I met a man of God, a pastor who has a ministry that involves running a Bible College, training workers for the Kingdom. Our conversation brought confirmation on a major issue that I was interceding with God about. In that place at that particular time, God knew what I needed and He provided the right person to pour into my spirit. Glory to God!
I shared some good laughs and discussed some observations that raised questions of national security and by implication personal safety with a couple waiting to meet relatives. We live in very uncertain times and people are scared. Scared it seems of almost everything. Scared for their future, their family, their faith in man and God. But the word of God exhorts us not to be afraid but rather to place all our trust in the Lord who is able to keep us through it all. I was blessed to be a blessing to this couple.
It was good to be able to take time out from myself. It was good to share the love of Christ. It was a blessing to meet the Lord in the people that came across my path. It was an honour to worship in this way, at that place; It was great to spend five hours at the International Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta - It was great because the Lord was there too!! Love your neighbour as you love yourselves and pray without ceasing for them even as you pray for you and your own!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The "Good Ole Days"!
This morning I was thinking about the "Good Ole Days".Days gone by when I was a girl. I lived in the best parish and the best neighbourhood in Jamaica; South St. Elizabeth! I am of course totally entitled to my own biased opinion and since it's the truth anyway?!!
Well I was remembering that 'round about this time of year many of us whose parents were small-holding farmers,had to stay out of school for a couple of weeks,to help with farm work. It was and still is the planting season and every hand was necessary to help. The very survival of the family and the community depended on the harvest. Despite the hard work it was always a good, happy time. There was a feeling of family and community camaraderie that prevailed.
Neighbours helped each other to get the planting done within a set window of time. Children learnt to work together with their parents and we also learnt the importance of taking care of our own to the best of our ability. "Many hands make light work" was a common saying by the old people and it was certainly true in our community. People cared about each other; we shared each others' joys and sorrows,we would laugh together and cry together. Neighbours were usually extended family members anyway and even those who were not,were treated as if they were.
We were not rich in material goods but we were rich in many other ways; ways that mattered most. There was consideration and compassion,there was kindness and kinship,care and concern for even the least among us. There was a bond of family and friendship that tied people together over many generations. It was a community in which decency and good morals were encouraged,poor manners and bad conduct was discouraged,and honor,integrity,respect,and godliness were highly valued.
I wonder what made the difference in our community? Was it because we were a poor farming community and we understood the divine principles of sowing and reaping,of springtime and harvest? Or because so many of our men were fishermen and they shared an awe and appreciation of God's mercies - "they that go down to the sea,witness the power and the glory of the Lord God up close and personal"?
We were a community that confronted life and death as part of the natural process of existence. Children shared in the reality of life experiences. We worked with our parents. We suffered through the loss of crops and the resulting hardships that would follow. The children of the community knew that a father may not return from sea if there were extremely strong winds, a storm or hurricane. We were not shielded from the everyday events that made up a whole life experience. And I believe that these were character-building for all of us.
Today, I am convinced that by and large most of us are strong,determined,hard-working,ambitious and resilient because we were allowed to be an important participant in the real issues and experiences of our community. We were encouraged to be builders of the community in every sense of the word. Understanding and maturity came early to children back then.
Compare that with how things are today. I believe that we now deprive the younger generations of the chance to appreciate and to be fully appreciated for their contribution to family and community by "molly-cuddling" them,way too much. Yes,it is good that we can do "MORE" for our kids in terms of the material provisions we make for them. But by providing everything they ask for whether it is needed or not, without their active contribution or even awareness in many instances of the needs of the family as a unit and the community in which they live as a whole,we do them a disservice.
We are depriving our children of the chance to be the best person that they could become. We ought to wake up to our responsibility; we are letting our children down. We must find ways for our children to have the opportunity to develop sterling characters that will bring honour to God first, to themselves and to their family,community and their country.
Improving on the legacy of our parents is great but if this is at the cost of a moral,caring,sharing,family oriented,community connected society,then we need to start a-weeping and a-wailing for the long gone "Good Ole Days"!! LadyZaidie
Well I was remembering that 'round about this time of year many of us whose parents were small-holding farmers,had to stay out of school for a couple of weeks,to help with farm work. It was and still is the planting season and every hand was necessary to help. The very survival of the family and the community depended on the harvest. Despite the hard work it was always a good, happy time. There was a feeling of family and community camaraderie that prevailed.
Neighbours helped each other to get the planting done within a set window of time. Children learnt to work together with their parents and we also learnt the importance of taking care of our own to the best of our ability. "Many hands make light work" was a common saying by the old people and it was certainly true in our community. People cared about each other; we shared each others' joys and sorrows,we would laugh together and cry together. Neighbours were usually extended family members anyway and even those who were not,were treated as if they were.
We were not rich in material goods but we were rich in many other ways; ways that mattered most. There was consideration and compassion,there was kindness and kinship,care and concern for even the least among us. There was a bond of family and friendship that tied people together over many generations. It was a community in which decency and good morals were encouraged,poor manners and bad conduct was discouraged,and honor,integrity,respect,and godliness were highly valued.
I wonder what made the difference in our community? Was it because we were a poor farming community and we understood the divine principles of sowing and reaping,of springtime and harvest? Or because so many of our men were fishermen and they shared an awe and appreciation of God's mercies - "they that go down to the sea,witness the power and the glory of the Lord God up close and personal"?
We were a community that confronted life and death as part of the natural process of existence. Children shared in the reality of life experiences. We worked with our parents. We suffered through the loss of crops and the resulting hardships that would follow. The children of the community knew that a father may not return from sea if there were extremely strong winds, a storm or hurricane. We were not shielded from the everyday events that made up a whole life experience. And I believe that these were character-building for all of us.
Today, I am convinced that by and large most of us are strong,determined,hard-working,ambitious and resilient because we were allowed to be an important participant in the real issues and experiences of our community. We were encouraged to be builders of the community in every sense of the word. Understanding and maturity came early to children back then.
Compare that with how things are today. I believe that we now deprive the younger generations of the chance to appreciate and to be fully appreciated for their contribution to family and community by "molly-cuddling" them,way too much. Yes,it is good that we can do "MORE" for our kids in terms of the material provisions we make for them. But by providing everything they ask for whether it is needed or not, without their active contribution or even awareness in many instances of the needs of the family as a unit and the community in which they live as a whole,we do them a disservice.
We are depriving our children of the chance to be the best person that they could become. We ought to wake up to our responsibility; we are letting our children down. We must find ways for our children to have the opportunity to develop sterling characters that will bring honour to God first, to themselves and to their family,community and their country.
Improving on the legacy of our parents is great but if this is at the cost of a moral,caring,sharing,family oriented,community connected society,then we need to start a-weeping and a-wailing for the long gone "Good Ole Days"!! LadyZaidie
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