I was made for this

What do Bruce Springsteen, Steppenwolf and Vin Diesel's character xXx have in common?

*Obscure connection alert*

They all know what they were born to do. 

They were born to run, be wild, and 'for this ****' (ie jumping off tall buildings whilst shooting at random bad guys etc...) respectively.

I know it's sometimes difficult to know what you were made to do.  Sometimes it's difficult to know what to do from one day (or hour) to the next.  I know that life with small children can make it very difficult to see beyond the end of your own nose, and that actually - just keeping everybody fed and clean, and not so sleep deprived that they are constantly crying (this applies to both big and small people) is enough to be managing, without thinking about anything more long term.

I know young people (I know this makes me sound like an old bag, but bear with me...) find this whole thing particularly stressful.  From early on at secondary school they are expected to be making choices with an eye on their future career path.  Just studying History because you like History isn't seen as good motivation... You have to know where you are going with everything.  It's easy to feel completely at sea.  Like you're drifting aimlessly with no real purpose.

It's at times like this when I cling onto the promises I find in the Bible.  Things like:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."  Jeremiah 29:11-12

I find it amazing that God has even given me a single thought.  After all, He does have quite a lot to be getting on with.  But there it is in black and white; He doesn't just think about me - He has plans and purposes for me and my little life.  Amazing.

In his time on earth, Jesus was passionate in his desire to help people become all they were created to be.  He claimed:

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

It's reasonable to state that this is still what Jesus longs to do for every person.  I'm sure that it is. However, sometimes I wonder if I would recognise 'life to the full' if it jumped up and bit me...  I can be so preoccupied with other things.  So easily distracted.

And yet, sometimes I catch a glimpse - a tantalizing taste - of what life can be like. 

I had one of those moments on Sunday evening at church when I was leading the worship.  All the elements of the service had come together as if we'd spent hours planning it (which we hadn't!), and we were singing a song that I just knew was going to be right for that moment.  The band and the congregation were altogether as one unit, singing about the amazing God who we have come to know and love, because He first loved us - and gave everything for us. 

And I just felt like God whispered in my ear...  "I made you for this".  In that instant, I knew there was nowhere in the world I'd rather be, and nothing I'd rather be doing.  I was 100% me, living life to the full, and loving every second.

I felt humbled and yet so joyful that - for that moment in time at least - I was doing exactly what I was created for. 

I guess that's maybe how it works.  We don't always see the big picture, or where it is we're heading.  All we can do is try to offer up each moment to the God who has the plans, and do our best to walk where He's leading.

The biggest loser...

I can't believe there's actually a programme on the TV called 'The Biggest Loser'.  What's even more difficult to comprehend is that actually, this is a coveted title...  The contestants on it want to be referred to as 'The BIGGEST Loser'.  Oh my goodness.  They have actually made weight-loss a competitive sport.

I haven't watched by any means all of this programme; but I've pretty much grasped the premise.  Lots of over-weight people live together in a house (OK - huge mansion...), trying to complete horrible challenges (watching them trying to resist the chocolate was particularly painful), being encouraged (shouted at) by personal trainers whilst they exercise, all before a team weigh in...  The team with the highest combined weight-loss is safe from elimination (Yes, well it is 'reality TV' - you couldn't really get away without an elimination could you...  Best not to think about it in a dieting context though...  'Elimination' could refer to something else entirely...)

I'm not sure whether I'm impressed, shocked or just really sad for the contestants, but it does seem like a very emotional and stressful experience.  Each weigh in has them dripping with more sweat than the sessions with the personal trainer...  Still, I guess if it's working for them - you can't knock it.  And they do have Davina Macall there to be soothing / encouraging too.  I guess the big question is whether they will be able to keep the weight off once they return to the real world.

My Dad has been overweight (to a greater or lesser degree) for the whole of my life; but recently, he has become our family's own 'Biggest Loser'.  He's lost over three stone now with help from Weight Watcher's (and from my Mum - she's lost a stone herself, just by being supportive and not leading him into temptation... Well done Mum x) 

So Dad, this post is dedicated to you.  Congratulations on losing weight whilst remaining in the real world, and not being shouted at...  I salute you. Gxx

Wobbly Tooth

Sometimes the smallest things can be the most profound...

My son Joel is five, and he has recently discovered his first wobbly tooth.  To him, this is exciting; a chance to ponder tooth fairies and what he might do with the coin that might appear under his pillow.

I was surprised to find that this small piece of news made me feel a bit emotional.  After all, I expected this to happen reasonably soon - Joel got his teeth early, so I'd always thought he'd lose them on the early side too. 

The thing that got me was the fact that it's a whole new developmental stage.  It's like a line in the sand, or any other transition I suppose.  My son is not a baby anymore.  Actually - anyone who knows him, knows that he hasn't been a baby for a long time.  Maybe it's just that it feels like the end of something.  Time has passed, and it's weird to think that your children are only small for such a short time, particularly as when you're in the middle of it, the small child phase feels never-ending because it is so all consuming.

Also, I think, it's time to celebrate.  I've nurtured Joel for six years (if you count the nine months I carried him!) and he's growing up well and doing everything he should be.  It's good to step back occasionally, and realise that time is running by.  Carpe Diem everyone; seize the day.