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| 12 January 2010 |
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I re-grouted our kitchen floor the other day and after my knees and back gave way I thought of my grandmother. I grew up knowing her when she chopped wood for the kitchen stove and lounge room open fireplace. She would wash clothes by hand and then put them through a wringer again by hand, then hang them out to dry. What back breaking work! And this is just a few things our grandparents had to do as part of their normal chores! I think I need to thank God every day for the modern appliances man has invented. Recently, our washing machine needed fixing and we didn't have it for two weeks. Having to do our washing by hand and carry wet washing to hang outside was like doing a workout. No wonder none of the women in the olden days needed to do workouts at the gym to keep fit. The modern woman may have help with the housework but our expectations of having spotless homes ALL THE TIME, AND cooking the best and healthiest meal ever AND having perfect children, AND looking beautiful always AND working full time or part time AND smiling all the time while doing everything etc. The list goes on and on and I CAN DO IT ALL. Do I believe this? Or am I falling apart after a short amount of time? WE CANNOT DO IT ALL. I used to be a Supermum then I needed time for me and extra time for others. I needed refreshment. All of this applies to men as well, because their list of jobs and expectations is just as long. I can do all things through God who strengthens me. This used to be a scripture I would recite to get everything done. Now I enjoy, Be still and know that I am God. I need to have time to know people and know God and this is the most important thing. So I learn to be still because chores are always going to be there but my family and friends will not. My grandmother would make the best homemade bread with homemade jam and fresh cream. The breakfast meal and conversation with her and Grandpa are what I remember and amongst all the chores, I was made to feel important and loved. Maybe you don't have such happy memories of family but we can make our family memories like this. We can START today to make memories for ourselves, our family and our friends. Choose a family if circumstances don't allow you to have your own family. I hope I am making good memories with my family and friends with love and helping them know that I think they are important in my life. In your life, who are you making sure is feeling LOVED and NEEDED and IMPORTANT? For anyone reading this, I want you to know that GOD LOVES YOU and YOU are IMPORTANT. You are part of his family and He has great memories already of you and your life and wants to continue having more with Him. Why don’t you have breakfast with Him one morning and have a conversation and start building those memories! Eat well and Happy Memory Making! |