Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Wisdom and discernment

I am still awake after ten when I had good intentions to be asleep by now. Didn't happen because I was chatting on the phone about matters of the heart once again with a friend. Today a colleague shared a story with me at work and I was questioning why we womenfolk seem to be taken for granted a lot of the time and left in the lurch by unscrupulous men. Why, Lord?

It really does take wisdom and discernment to know the heart of a man and only the Lord can grant that to us.

Lord, grant me discernment for the days ahead. A day at a time, Lord, a day at a time.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Matters of the heart

It has been an interesting day; had an interesting chat with an older friend who is more like an older sister about romantic matters and it was a very interesting conversation. 
As one grows older, one has to be wise in matters of the heart and do the right thing. One cannot give excuses like when one was a teenager and a bit naive and innocent. One has to trust her Lord and God for the strength to make the right decisions and to do that which is pleasing to Him alone.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear my prayer and help me be wise in all my ways, Amen.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Mixed sort of day

I have an interesting day today; a mixture indeed of very good things and also disappointment on some fronts. Had great hopes of writing down my dreams in great detail but got distracted and have no one to blame for that but myself, and then also wanted to do the little lady's hair and comb it out properly but was beaten into submission by her crying and sheer exhaustion after a few plaits. I gave up and will try again tomorrow. I was sorely tempted to chop her whole hair off but she is the only girl in the family and has lovely hair as well so what to do? 

On a positive note, I went out ( and for a very good reason I have to do that on Saturdays) and was so tired and sleepy from staying up last night that I almost came back within a few minutes into my jaunt but persevered and found me some lovely, black boots. They look a bit like a teenager's pair of shoes but they are very comfy and I love them.

Well, so that has been my day and I just have to start again tomorrow. A day at a time and a step at a time.

Thank You, Father for today, Amen and amen.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Feeling quite tired today

It has been quite a day and I am feeling quite tired now so I will retire early and hope to have enough sleep so I can get up early or at least jump out of bed when I wake up.
I used a new room at school today and also found some new resources so that was cool. 
I am a bit disappointed that I have to miss doing some work tonight but I am feeling quite tired and sleep is the only thing that will help  me now.
Thank You, Lord for another day, Amen.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A quiet day

It has been a quiet sort of day today; quite packed though and  a good one. Managed to do a bit of writing and also catch up with a friend.
Have to work on some work for a friend and that has set me thinking but I know the Lord will grant the ideas and the way forward as always. It is good to trust in the living God.
Lord, thank You for today, Amen.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Familiar friends

Today has been a restful day of sorts; I had planned to have a nap in the afternoon but ended up chatting instead on the phone for quite a while. Then I spoke to a friend I saw yesterday at the airport, on his way back home to Ghana. It was a very satisfying visit and I came back very encouraged and motivated.

There is something so precious and vitalizing about good friends; they lift you up and help you re-focus on the things that matter and they make you feel so cherished and valued. With this friend in particular, he always inspires me to write just because of who he is and how he listens to me so intently. We share a lot of interests and enjoy reading the same sort of things and somehow we seem to have the same perspective on issues which is comforting, and at the same time validating.

I am fired up for the exciting things going to happen soon and believe that the best is yet to come indeed.  With friends like the one I met up with yesterday.

Thank You, Father for today. Amen.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Just grateful for my bed tonight

Today was an interesting day in school and I got a phone call from one of my very good friends who has been on a visit and is going back to Ghana tomorrow. It is always a blessing to talk to like-minded, prayerful friends.

Tried to play Scrabble with the boys and ended up more frustrated than relaxed because one of them was dragging the whole thing along and spoiling the fun for us all. A shame about that but we will try again and see how far we get with the game.

Feeling very tired now and just need to lie down and go to bed so that my mind will be fresh for the morrow. Lord, grant wisdom and grant guidance.

Thank You for today once again and for this teaching job, Amen.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

If it is to be, it is up to me

Have to reign myself in and not go overboard with buying books that I come across. Today I received delivery of The Spare Room Tycoon and this time round I am going to implement the things I read and not just discuss them with friends.

If it is to be, it is up to me. A saying I came across last week. It is up to me to believe and hear clearly from God about which direction to take, what relationships to pursue and which leads to follow. No one can do that for me; I have to do the praying, the listening and the discerning.
If it is to be, it is up to me indeed. Lord, I am willing; help me believe because faith is righteous in Your sight.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

A good day

It was a good day in school today. I decided to walk to the shops across the street to get a few things and came back with very wet and cold feet; tomorrow I must definitely wear boots instead of ordinary shoes. 

I have had to stay up a bit late today because I got caught up in a romantic novel I was reading. So passionate that I had to skip over the love scenes; a bit too potent for me especially since I have my mind and heart on higher things. I was wishing I could be loved for myself so passionately when I was reminded of the love of God for me. He gave Himself for me through His Son, Jesus Christ. What other act can go beyond that to prove love?
Father, help me focus on loving You and all else will fall into place. 
Thank You, Father for today, Amen.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

More snow, no holiday

The snow is back again but our school is open today, alas. I do enjoy my work very much but I enjoy reading a bit more than working so was hoping to stay in my bed and read a little bit.

Well, have to get ready to go to school now, get the kids organized for their piano lessons after school, which means getting them a snack for this afternoon during my lunch break. One of these days I must stay in school and continue reading my book by Barbara Winter, the one about being Joyfully Jobless. It is simply a book about working for yourself under different hats and guises.
Well, now to put your hat on as learning support assistant, Nana.

Thank You, Lord for today, Amen.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Unexpected chaos

I had such great hopes for today and for the writing especially with the great morning I had. Things have gone awry this evening and all I want now is my bed. The kids are being very noisy and more rowdy than usual which is trying my patience very much but I still have a little sliver of hope left. I will write or edit something before I sleep and not let this unexpected disruption stop me from doing what needs doing.

In all things we are to give thanks and I give thanks for my new resolve, Amen.

Thank You, Father for today.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Sunday news

It has been a quiet, relaxing day and I am very grateful for it. I had a lovely Bible study in the morning and then read a book in the afternoon by Sandra Brown, who I think is a very gifted writer. She manages to weave romance with a crime or mystery of sorts together and also gives an insight into the mind and emotions of the male protagonists which is always so cool.

So I am grateful, Father for today, especially for writing the Friday column too. It has been put on hold for too long.

Thank You, Lord for another day and also for the lessons learnt.
Thank You, Jesus.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

A fruitful day

It has been a very good day because I have done some cooking and bought some books and some clothes and treated the boys too and I feel like we have all had a fruitful day. I am getting more and more clarity about the teaching and the direction in which to take it; and my mentor shared some verses with me today along those lines, that I am going to meditate on. It is her birthday today and I wish her so much joy and fulfillment in every area of her life.

What is my focus, what is my assignment? The answers to these two questions will keep me on the straight and narrow and with all the information-gathering I have been doing, there are really no more excuses for me, Nana. 

Lord, thank You for today and thank You for the kids too. Help me discern what Your will for each of them is so that I can do what needs doing for and with them. 
Thank You for those open doors before me, Father, Amen.

Friday, January 08, 2010

Thank You, Father

Today has been a very good day in school and  I was grateful to be able to get out despite the cold and was able to do some shopping for the house. I intend to stay indoors and keep warm and do some writing as much as possible. 

I am grateful for the daily progress and by faith I am a prolific, profound writer. 

I thank You, Father for today and what has been done and look forward to tomorrow very much.
Thank You very much for Your Grace.

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

A very snowy day

It has been a very snowy day; I was hoping to get the day off school but we had to go in and it was a very productive day. Tomorrow we get the day off and that will give me some time to think about what to do with some of the children who are advancing very quickly in one of the classes I take.

According to the weathermen and women, the snow should continue for a few more days and I don't know what that means for schooldays. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. But for the fact that one might run out of supplies, I would ask that it continues to snow until next Monday.

Lord, thank You for today and for the progress made, Amen.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Freezing forecasts

It is so cold and the weather is set to get below freezing levels. Not funny at all especially for someone like me who is a sun creature. What to do but to give thanks for a home to be in and closed doors and windows? Lord, thank You for the open doors again to live somewhere hot and sunny like Sikakrom.

School was good today and I had a good day and also managed to rearrange my timetable so that I can get to see some of the children at a time when they are alert. Lots of ideas to do with the future and lots to pray in and pray about. 

Lord, Your Mercy and Your Grace abound unto me. 

Monday, January 04, 2010

Moving on yonder

Today was the first day back at school and despite having a few hours of sleep ( not out of choice at all), the day went very well and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I also had a brainwave to change a lesson round so that the children I see during that time will have an uninterrupted long session with me and thankfully the teacher in question was fine with it, completely. 

Have also been thinking about the way forward and my mind has been going round and round and obviously wondering when a certain situation I find myself in is going to end. No answers at all but then it is going to be by the might and the Spirit of the Lord since I do not have the answers; only the determination to be in a different location this time next year by God's grace. I believe it is time for a different season and song, Nana. You have tarried and travailed long enough in this place and it is time to move on with or without the support. With God's Help, Wisdom and Guidance, all things are possible indeed, Amen.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Prayer lists and mercy

I just wrote something for this blog and lost it because the Internet connection went off momentarily. Hmmm, well,  I was writing to thank God for His Mercy and His Grace and His Kindness and also to remind myself to pray for friends and relatives alike who have different things they are trusting the Lord for.
And Lord, help me stick to the routines that would bring me the rewards of hard work and not look to the left or to the right and get distracted by the antics of people far and near.
Thank You, Father for Your eternal Grace, Amen.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Free writing

I have just been relaxing this morning because I think I overdid it a bit yesterday with the reading, serious reading I mean,not fiction. So this morning I have been taking it easy just going through old magazines and tearing out pages to look out later.

And I just had an epiphany that ties in with having fun this year: just write about whatever interests me, no matter how eclectic and even if the piece will have no audience. I already do that to an extent but I am going to take it a bit further and just write as led and relax in the Lord about the writing. 

And about my dream to relocate to Sikakrom? Gradually picking up steam and gaining the support for it. Lord, I thank You for those open doors on every side.
Thank You, Father, thank You, Lord.