Stained Glass Masquerade

I've been listening to the Casting Crowns "Lifesong" CD that I just got - why have I just got a new CD? Maybe it has something to do with having to tick the next age bracket on those countless forms I seem to be always filling out!

Anyhow, one of the songs that has made me think quite a bit is Stained Glass Masquerade. The blurb explaining the song makes this statement "I don't think it bothers the world that we sin. I think it bothers the world that we act like we don't........"

I think there is huge truth in that statement. I have been guilty myself, of at times acting as if I have it altogether, of somehow thinking that people will be attracted to the christian life if they don't see the struggles, the hurts, the pain and the failure that happens at times in my life. I think being real is what is attractive, of having this hope, this inner strength, this power beyond human understanding, of knowing forgiveness and cleansing as we deal with all that life dishes out to us is what will make people pause and think.

Life's Lesson Number 25432

If you are going to invite people round for a barbeque, not only do you have to check that you have all the ingredients for what you are going to make, you also have to check that there is enough gas in the gas bottle!

This can only mean one thing

The sharpened axe lying by the chopping block..... the gate to the hen house swinging open.... the silence in the back yard... the pale faced husband.... the rows of silverbeet unpicked......the bags of sawdust from the chook house neatly lined up against the fence....

Yes, it can only mean one thing - our "past the use by date" chooks have been dispatched to that place where all good chooks go. And my kind husband was good enough to wait till I was back at work so I didn't have to witness all the unpleasant and gory events unfolding.

I miss them - as I have been weeding the garden I keep thinking how much they loved me chucking the weeds to them, and how excited they used to get when we chucked the kitchen scraps in for them to pick through and fight over.

I'm looking forward to the new lot arriving.

First post for 2006

These holidays have just flown by. I've looked forward to them for so long and now I am back at work - reluctantly. Lake Brunner is so beautiful and the views were spectacular. So many lovely bush walks to enjoy and old gold mining spots to explore. Didn't have time to do all the walks and visits so definitely there are plans to go back again. Best of all was time spent as a family without the pressure of rushing in and out the door going to this place or that. We learnt to play the board game Sequence and I think this game will fast become a McGowan (and maybe a Dimock) family favourite.
Last week was time spent with Michael and Miriam - a precious time of just being with them and laughing lots. Took the opportunity (thanks to Roanna's organising skills) of having family photos taken at Cave Rock and have just got the CDs with them on. They are fantastic and I am going to have trouble choosing which ones I get printed. The first photos I looked at were just of my children - they are my children and yet looking back at me was a group of adults (a very attractive group of adults in my opinion) - my babies have grown up!! I knew that - but somehow the photo seemed to make it hit home.