Spring has arrived in Australia! The Autumn (Fall, although not much falls in Sydney) and Winter were long seasons for us. Somehow it seems fitting to return anew to the blog, to refresh my work, at the beginning of a new season. It was completely unplanned, until 10 minutes ago. I didn’t imagine I would, and then there it was, a peaceful and quiet moment that I was ready to give.

What better way than to begin with a word from God. Being Monday it is 10 minute challenge day, just the parameters I need.

I did think I was going to get through Proverbs in 31 weeks. Hmmmm best laid plans…. But here is the mercy of God that today when I opened to Proverbs 17 after such a long break there was such encouragement from the mouth of our Saviour and Lord.

It was a well done good and faithful servant moment. Thank you Jesus.

My hiatus has been all about living honestly, not hypocritically.

Until today, any return to the blog would have been like;

Proverbs 17:7

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool – how much worse, lying lips to a ruler.

Just eloquent lips.

No I haven not been having a crisis of faith. No my previous blogs were not all lies. It’s just that since my last post I have been in the crucible again.

Proverbs 17: 3

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

I love that the silversmith does not turn his face away from the crucible, he watches the silver as the impurities burn off, and he waits until that moment when he sees his face reflected in the silver.

That’s where I’ve been. It’s hot, it’s not comfortable, there is pressure, you’re almost at boiling point the whole time. But God holds you there because he wants to see you shine.

We have hit a new stage in our family, as all of you with children will know, new stages arrive suddenly and yet completely formed. Then it’s the parents’ job to catch up.

I have been quietly sitting at the Lord’s feet and at the same time I have been on the front line fighting a war! I have needed so much encouragement from the Holy Spirit to love and lead our children and to take new ground with my husband. I have needed multiple body part transplants; eyes, mouth, mind, ears, hands, feet. Just to match the new stage.

Reading Proverbs 17 today I am so encouraged that none of it has been in vain.

So many verses are things I have had such a heart to encourage at home, in myself and others.

Like;

Proverbs 17: 1

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

we have been in search of true peace and quiet.

These last months, following the death of my Dad, have been a time to bring about;

Proverbs 17: 6

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

as we have spent more and more time with my Mum, and not (like in v21 & 25)the opposite.

We have spent the time;

v9 fostering love

v10 encouraging discernment

v14, v 19 v 27 v28 disagreeing wisely

v16 v21 v24 v25 understanding and encouraging and keeping our eyes on wisdom

v17 being a friend and a brother (or sister)

v22 choosing cheerful

All of these things take so much sowing and tending and also dying and germinating. I couldn’t write about them still in the ground. But now shoots are appearing and I wanted to share.

I hope you are well, I hope you are encouraged, I have missed you.

Lots of love,

L

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