A true labour of love

Recently, a big box arrived in the mail from my cousin. As I opened it, I noted the careful way it had been packed – plastic air ‘pillows’, then bubble wrap, then another thicker wrap, then tissue paper, then a piece of polystyrene. Nothing left to chance, for sure. Finally, out my gift came – a beautiful piece of stitching work, mounted in a sturdy, brown frame.

Yet this was not your normal piece of stitching work, I soon discovered. My cousin had included a note with it from which I learned it is called ‘blackwork’, even though several colours were used to create this particular piece of embroidery. Apparently, way back in fifteenth century England and possibly even earlier, blackwork was indeed largely black and was used mostly to make the collars and cuffs of men’s shirts stronger and more decorative. Some say it came to England from Spain via one of Henry VIII’s wives, Catherine of Aragon – and thus it is sometimes called Spanish work. But my amazing gift actually contains various traditional Celtic designs, each pattern created by using simple, ordinary, single stitches.

What a labour of love it was for my cousin, no doubt taking many, many hours of painstaking work. along with incredible attention to detail. Some of the shapes it contains look like little trees, others like leaves and still others like stars. Then there are also intricate diamond and square shapes, all linked together to form a dainty, colourful grid, while the traditional black has been used throughout for borders and for the rectangular design at each end of the pattern. Yet, when I emailed to express my thanks for such a special gift, my cousin responded with touching simplicity: I love doing this work and I really love giving it to others who value and appreciate it.

I felt even more humbled when I read these words, but they also set me thinking. Perhaps my cousin had given their work to someone in the past, imagining they would truly love it, only to discover this was not the case? Perhaps the recipient tucked it away in a drawer, never to see the light of day? At that point, I felt so sorry for my cousin, even though the whole creative process had obviously brought much joy and satisfaction in itself.

My cousin’s words stayed with me for some time afterwards as I reflected on how affirming it is when others appreciate something we have taken time and effort to create. Yet sometimes that does not happen, does it? Sometimes, we simply need to put our work out there, offering it in love while knowing it may not always be fully valued or even accepted. After all, this is what Jesus Christ himself did for us with his very life.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:10–12

What an extreme labour of love Jesus offered up for us! May we always treasure such a priceless gift and praise and honour the Giver each day.

Read Full Post »

Those many other things

I wonder how often you find yourself wishing you knew more about something. Perhaps it is some skill you wish you had acquired earlier in life and would like to pursue even now. Or perhaps it is an area of expertise where you wish you did not need to rely on others’ knowledge but were able to handle everything yourself. This applies to me in the general area of IT. I am not interested in it at all, although I use my laptop all the time as a writer. Instead, I rely heavily on my husband’s knowledge whenever I experience some computer glitch or problem with the internet. But what will happen when he perhaps cannot help me? Then I may well wish I had listened to him much more carefully.

Each day, we are surrounded by so much information, some of which we may wish we had and some we are happy to ignore. But recently, I came to some verses towards the end of John’s gospel I could not remember noticing before that definitely made me long to know more. After describing how the risen Jesus appeared to his disciples, including Thomas who had not initially believed, John continues:

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30–31

Then, in the final verse of this gospel, we find the following:

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:25

At that point, I felt a little ripped off. What other signs that Jesus performed do we know nothing about because they are not in John’s gospel – or anywhere else? And what about those many other things Jesus did as well that would fill whole volumes, according to John? I wanted to know all about them and perhaps get an even clearer picture of Jesus and his ministry as a result. In choosing what to include, it seems John did not overlook any signs Jesus performed or anything else he did. He simply decided – no doubt as God led him – that he had written enough to enable us to believe in Jesus, without including anything more.

As I thought more about this whole matter, I realised two things. First, we do indeed know enough of the wonderful things Jesus said and did, as John maintains, to believe Jesus is the Son of God. Second, Jesus is even more powerful and amazing than I have already concluded! According to John, we have glimpsed only a percentage of all Jesus said and did – and I for one cannot wait to discover what we have missed out on.

For now, however, we have been shown and told enough. One day, we will find out the rest but, until then, may we all keep on believing in our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May we continue to declare, along with the centurion who saw Jesus crucified for us:

Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39b

Read Full Post »

In the heat of the moment

I am sure I used to be calmer under pressure. When put on the spot, I could usually manage to string together a few words that kind of made sense. But these days, I sometimes find such scenarios a little more challenging. If I am not careful, my brain can seize up and I can lose the thread of what I truly wanted to say.

Take being interviewed on radio, for instance, when I do not know what the next question will be – something I have experienced three times in recent weeks in connection with my latest book, Swansong. Thankfully, such interviews are often pre-recorded, which reassures me a little and also gives the presenter leeway to cut out anything later. Yet, I found it quite a challenge each time as I sat at my desk, talking with a gentleman I had never met via video or phone and hoping my responses to his questions made sense.

When Jesus himself spoke anywhere while on earth, especially when challenged in the heat of the moment, he did not hesitate. Whatever the risk, he spoke out with such clarity and authority – the authority given to him by his heavenly Father. On one occasion, Jesus explained this again to his disciples when seeking to comfort and reassure them who he was and where he was going:

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. John 14:10

Earlier on in his ministry too, when sending his twelve disciples out, Jesus gave them authority to heal and drive out demons but also warned them in no uncertain terms what would happen when challenged:

But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19–20

Now I am definitely not Jesus. And, as far as I know, I am not about to be arrested for anything I might say during a radio interview about my latest book! Yet, in those moments when I too may grope for words to express what is in my heart, I am so grateful that, if I focus on God, even for a brief moment, I am reassured I am not alone. God’s Spirit is indeed with me and in me at all times and will help me find the right words to say that will make sense and impact others in a positive way. Instead of giving in to fear then, I can take a deep breath, centre myself in God again, relax – and enjoy the wonderful opportunity I have been given to put my words out there and trust that God will use them in some way to bless others.

As God’s people, all of us, whoever we are, can find ourselves in those ‘heat of the moment’ situations at unexpected times, with opportunity to share about our faith in God. May we take a deep breath, listen well to the Spirit, then step out and speak with confidence and joy!

NB To find two of Jo-Anne’s radio interviews about her book Swansong, please click here.

Read Full Post »

The power of words

Recently, while at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, we visited a fascinating bookstore, The Little Lost Bookshop, and noticed the following on a cushion there: ‘No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.’ As a writer, these words caught my attention. But they also caused me to remember how, in the past and recently, the words of world political leaders have indeed changed the world, inspiring whole nations to act in certain ways and espouse certain ideologies, for good or for ill.

Yet each day, although on a smaller scale, our words too have power to change others’ lives for good or ill. If spoken carelessly, they can cause great damage. When I was growing up, if someone called us a hurtful name, we often used to respond by chanting, ‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me!’ True, names – or negative words in general – cannot kill or wound us physically like actual weapons can, yet they can certainly bring lasting mental and emotional damage and even destruction.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. James 3:5b–6a

On the other hand, the words that slip off our tongues can be powerful in a positive way. If inspired by God’s Spirit and spoken in love, they can change one person’s world at least and even flow on to bless others.

In Luke 7, we read how a centurion asks Jesus, via some Jewish elders, to come and heal his servant but later sends a different message:

Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go”, and he goes; and that one, “Come”, and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’ Luke 7:6b–8

Jesus is amazed at this man’s faith – and speaks healing to the servant then and there at a distance. The messengers return home and, amazingly, find him better.

When Jesus speaks even one word, it carries such power and authority and changes lives. On one occasion, even the temple guards whom the chief priests and Pharisees had sent to arrest Jesus return empty-handed, declaring, ‘No one ever spoke the way this man does’ (John 7:46).

Those guards were right – no one even today can speak with the authority Jesus had. Yet, when we belong to God, God’s Spirit lives in us and can give us just the right words to say when needed. But this necessitates our staying close to God, listening well and allowing the Spirit to fill and renew us daily – because what is uppermost in our hearts and minds is what will inevitably surface in speaking to others, as Jesus himself once stated:

What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45b

May our hearts be filled with God this week – and may our world be changed for the better as we speak words of love and healing to others.

Read Full Post »

Letting down the nets

How do you honestly feel as you face the new year ahead? Right now, for some at least, everything is swinging into top gear again as school begins and as church programs get under way. For others, perhaps it is more of the ‘same old same old’, with nothing much changing. For some, this may be a time full of anticipation and excitement at the thought of new experiences and fresh challenges waiting to be conquered. For others, the year ahead may seem far too daunting – or, alternately, perhaps too dreary a prospect to contemplate for long.

This year began with a bang for me, with the release of my third non-fiction book, Swansong (click here for more details). But, after the initial excitement of launching a book, hard work of a different kind begins – not writing and editing this time but speaking at various places and promoting my book in whatever way I can. I knew this would be the case – this is my tenth book, after all – and I am happy to tackle most aspects at least of the whole marketing side of things. I enjoy meeting people as I promote my books at Koorong, for example, and I particularly love speaking at all sorts of places – community clubs of various kinds, church groups, whatever. Yet, even when one likes doing something, there are still hours of preparation involved, not to mention hours of emailing and talking to people, in order to set up speaking engagements or organise some other event.

On days when I am a little more tired than usual, this can all seem like a very high mountain to climb – so perhaps that is why I resonated with some words Simon said on one occasion, in response to a request Jesus put to him, when I came across them one morning. In Luke 5, we read how Jesus boards Simon’s fishing boat and asks him to push out from the shore a little, in order for him to be able to teach the crowds better who have gathered around Lake Galilee to hear him. The story continues:

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’

Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ Luke 5:4–5

Immediately, Simon’s last few words caused me to sit up straight and listen carefully to what God wanted me to learn. Simon must have felt so weary already and discouraged as well – to the point where he is unafraid to tell Jesus how hard he has worked already, for no result. Yet he does not refuse to do what Jesus tells him to do. Even at this early stage, before Simon leaves everything and follows Jesus (5:7), he bows to Jesus’ authority and does exactly what Jesus says.

There is so much hidden in those few little words ‘because you say so’, isn’t there? Respect. Honour. Trust. Obedience. Humility. Hope. May all these characterise our own attitudes to Jesus in the coming year. May we too willingly ‘let down our nets’ again, whatever shape or form they may take and however Jesus tells us to, as we trust him for the outcome.

Read Full Post »

In the right spot

I wonder what your thoughts and feelings are as you look back on the past year. Recently, someone shared with me that most people they spoke to seemed to have had a difficult 2023 in all sorts of ways. Yet, whatever this past year has brought us, here we still are. For all of us, 2024 lies before us, filled with all sorts of possibilities we are yet to discover. What joys will the months ahead hold for us? What challenges perhaps too? Only God knows.

For me, the one thing I do know about the future from past experience is that I want to live it the way God wants me to. I want to do the things God still has for me to do on this earth – and I want to face whatever hurdles I may happen to strike in God’s strength and with God’s help. To do that, I know I need to stay close to God at all times, taking note of those wise words of guidance I find in Scripture and hear as I listen to the Spirit’s voice. In other words, I want to step into 2024, facing the future in the right way, with hope and joy in my heart, whatever is happening around me.

Perhaps that is why I noticed an interesting phenomenon in the garden area around our unit recently. Directly outside our windows, I can see various pretty shrubs and flowers that have been added to as our lovely neighbours have planted a few extra things they like. Slowly, two slightly taller plants began to grow there. At first, I wondered if they were in fact weeds, until I discovered our neighbour had strewn some sunflower seeds around in various spots. Sadly, though, the spot where these two sunflowers are trying to grow does not see much sun, situated as it is between two buildings. Just around the corner from this garden, however, in a different spot, another of these same seeds took off and is now flourishing. I thought it was huge enough and cheered it on as it grew – it looks as if it will flower very soon. But then I rounded the next corner of our garden area and came across its older brother or sister, almost as tall as some nearby trees – and already sporting the beginnings of a huge sunflower. Its seed had indeed found the right spot, exactly where it flourished best and was able to face the sun easily.

Noticing all of this so close by caused me to ask God what I needed to learn as a result. Surely it must be that you and I need to find the spot where God wants us to flourish in 2024 – the best way we can use our gifts to bless others, serving both them and God? Surely too, it must be that you and I need to keep our faces turned towards the Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, throughout 2024, loving him with all our hearts, listening to his voice and following where he leads?

May we do exactly that in 2024.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT

Read Full Post »

Lost

As I wheeled my shopping trolley towards the supermarket checkout, I noticed a neatly dressed man standing nearby, looking confused.

‘I’m new here,’ he told me. ‘Can you tell me how I get out?’

A little confused myself as to why he could not see where to go, I guided him through another checkout. But as I finally left the supermarket myself, I saw this same gentleman standing outside, still confused. This time, I went up and asked if he was okay.

‘I’m lost,’ he told me. ‘I came on the bus but stopped to look at something and the others went on without me. I’m from the Christadelphian village. Do you know where our bus is?’

I did not but suggested we try the two main exits. At the first, there was no sign of his bus so we headed for the other at the far end of the centre. As we walked, he told me his name was Michael and that he was 84. I felt so sorry for him as, by this time, he looked so agitated and tired. We made it to the second exit – but again, no bus.

We then headed to the information counter but it was unmanned. So, I asked for help in a nearby chemist and someone pointed to a security guard hurrying by. I yelled out to him and discovered the bus pulled in at a tradesman’s entrance at the edge of the food court, so off we went again.

We had almost reached this entrance when my new friend’s face suddenly lit up.

‘There they are!’ he exclaimed with great relief and headed straight for a group of older people seated nearby. He hurriedly plonked down next to them and began to wipe sweat from his forehead.

‘That was a terrible experience,’ he said, gasping for breath. ‘Thank you very much for helping me!’

I turned to explain what had happened to the young carer in charge of the group but, to my shock, she did not seem too fazed at all – or even too inclined to care for Michael.

‘I think he needs a glass of water at least,’ I told her in my most disapproving tone, before wheeling my trolley away. But when I arrived home, I found I was still fuming. Surely they could have cared better for this poor gentleman? If I had not noticed him standing there so distressed, someone else would soon hopefully have helped him, but how long would that have taken?

Later, when I told my husband the story, I began thinking how graphically it depicted our own lost state when we do not know Jesus Christ. We may set off happily enough in life, following along with our friends and trying all sorts of different ways and experiences. But at some stage, like Michael, we may end up well and truly confused, alarmed and even hopeless. We may ask here and there for help but find none. Yet, Jesus is constantly reaching out to us, longing to set our feet on the right path again.

May we each respond with sincere love and gratitude as we are found by him and welcomed home!

‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ John 14:6

Read Full Post »

Still there

I walked slowly through our local shopping centre, my mind focused on buying Christmas gifts. Already, I had noted some expensive items on display in nearby stores and was questioning my decision to spend no more than a certain predetermined amount on each person. Was I being mean? Should I rethink how much I planned to spend? After all, prices have risen so much and my money will not go as far as in previous years. Yet … do our grandchildren in particular need anything further spent on them? Would whatever I ended up choosing be the right thing for them anyway? Would it be appreciated? Would it ever even be used?

Taking a deep breath, I decided I would not allow myself to become overwhelmed with everything I saw around me. Yet I felt disturbed at how the real meaning of Christmas seemed to be lost, in the midst of all the commercialism everywhere. I turned to move on, then caught sight of the large nativity scene nearby in the middle of a main walkway.

In the seven years we have lived in the area, this scene has always appeared in the same spot. Somewhere along the way, it has lost its glass covering and, I suspect one or two angels and perhaps other figures too. But there it was once again – and I immediately felt relieved. So relieved, in fact, that I stopped then and there to take a photo of it and thus draw other shoppers’ attention to the tableau as well. Despite all the Christmas paraphernalia everywhere else, here it was, still making a simple, quiet statement about the coming of the Saviour to this world. No fanfare or bells and whistles of any sort – just like on that first Christmas so many years ago.

I then entered a large department store. As I looked around in the Christmas section, all I could see were all sorts of shiny Christmas baubles, red Christmas stockings, Santa Clauses, snowmen, reindeer antlers, overpriced gifts and Christmas cards with all sorts of images on them – but none depicting Jesus’ birth. Maybe the card makers and retailers are of one mind, I decided, with someone I once heard about who commented, on seeing a manger scene or such like somewhere: ‘Why do some people have to go and spoil Christmas for everyone with all this religious stuff?’

Recently too, I discovered our younger grandchildren do not know any Christmas carols. They may vaguely recognise ones like ‘Silent Night’ or ‘Away in a Manger’, but that is the extent of it. Carols are not taught in our state schools now for various reasons – and many children do not attend Scripture classes where there might be a possibility of hearing them. Perhaps this is not such an issue, however, since many adults seem happy to sing them blithely, without realising or apparently believing what they are singing.

Yet, in the midst of all this, Jesus is still there, waiting for us to welcome him into our hearts and lives. May we truly receive him – and truly honour and adore him this Christmas and always.

He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:11–12 NLT

Read Full Post »

Another perspective

One day recently, I passed one of our neighbours as I was rushing out to the car. ‘Sorry I can’t stop and chat,’ I told her. ‘I’m running late again to mind the grandkids!’

Quick as a flash, this 98-year-old lady said to me, ‘You’re lucky you get to spend time with them.’

My head was spinning as I hopped in the car. Of course, she was right. Here I was, thinking of all the things I had to do at home and wishing I did not have to go out when, instead, here was a golden opportunity to connect with our grandkids and have all sorts of interesting conversations with them.

A few days later, I found myself complaining to our son about the unusual number of phone conversations, emails and texts I had had recently from each of our adult children over all sorts of issues and the time it had taken to engage well with them. Again, quick as a flash, our son responded, ‘Well, you’re lucky your children want to connect with you and talk things over!’

What could I say? Of course, he too was right. Instead of sitting back and graciously giving time to each one of them, part of me was distracted as I thought about the various writing jobs awaiting me on my laptop. I love each of our children deeply – and this moment in their lives when I can possibly be of help to them will never come again. So I need to value each interaction I have with them and indeed be thankful they seem to value my input into their lives.

That evening, I also began complaining to my husband about certain time-consuming tasks to do with my next non-fiction book, Swansong, due to be published in January. Not only did I need to finish one final read-through of the layout version of the book for my publisher, but I also had to answer fifteen in-depth questions about it to be used for media and promotional purposes, as well as check the back cover content. ‘This is taking hours and hours,’ I sighed. ‘It seems never-ending.’

Then I realised what I was doing and laughed at myself. Here I was, grumbling about these tasks when, instead, I needed to be so thankful that God had not only enabled me to complete another manuscript but also to obtain my first overseas publisher! Surely I should rejoice then that I had such tasks to do rather than grumble about them?

I wonder if you have ever acted in a similar way to me at times in your own life situation. We can so easily lose perspective, can’t we? I know I tend to focus far too often on the challenges and unexpected interruptions to my schedule rather than on the blessings I have received. What if instead I were to listen to God’s Spirit and live life from God’s perspective, being more alert to and thankful for the God-given opportunities that come my way? What if I were more joyful all round each day and less ready to complain?

May I truly take to heart the following commands – and obey them more often:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Read Full Post »

Sometimes …

I never cease to be amazed at the intricacies of our nine-year-old granddaughter’s mind and the interesting conclusions she reaches about certain things. Many times, her intriguing way of thinking has caused me to sit up, admire her unique approach to the matter under discussion and also, at times, take stock of my own life as a result.

Recently, as I ate my own dinner of good, old-fashioned Shepherd’s Pie and our granddaughter sat beside me, gobbling down her spaghetti Bolognese, I asked her if she liked Shepherd’s Pie. She did not answer immediately and I wondered if she had heard me, but eventually, I realised she seemed to be thinking deeply about the whole matter.

‘Well … sometimes,’ she finally responded.

I was puzzled and asked her what she meant, but she simply shrugged and did not seem to want to explain any further. So … does she like Shepherd’s Pie only when it is the right sort of Shepherd’s Pie? Does she like it only when the mood takes her and she actually feels like eating it? Does she tolerate it only if there is nothing better on offer? Can she even remember ever trying it?

I may never discover what she meant, but at least her response caused me to reflect on my own life and realise that I too can be the same with other far more important matters than Shepherd’s Pie. Sometimes, for example, I look forward to putting time aside to be with God. Sometimes, I am happy to do the things I sense God wants me to do. Sometimes, I care enough about others to reach out and help them. Sometimes, I listen to that prompt from God and refrain from saying that hasty, judgemental comment. Sometimes, I forget or choose not to remember that God is Sovereign in my life and deserves to be honoured. Sometimes, my preferences in all these things become the most important factor instead.

As I thought more about this, I realised that ‘sometimes’ does not seem to be part of God’s nature or the way God works. God does not blow hot and cold. God is not fickle or unreliable. God does not change, lose interest or become lukewarm in any way. What God says, God does. What God promises definitely will happen.

‘I the Lord do not change. … Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:6

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Hebrews 13:8

In the long run, it does not matter what foods we sometimes like and sometimes are not so keen on, does it? After all, our tastes can change over time for all sorts of reasons. But it does matter if we are ‘sometimes’ people when it comes to the things of God. It does matter when we are fervent in our faith one day, then forget about God the next. Instead, may we learn to be ‘all the time’ people for God, ready to change the things in our lives that need changing, yet unchanging in our commitment to love and serve God with all that we are.

Read Full Post »