A couple of weeks ago I met a young lady who is relatively new to the area. With curious excitement she pointed at a tree like the one in the picture above and asked us what it was called. I shook my head and said I had no idea. She exclaimed at its beauty and went on to narrate how these trees had just blossomed when Spring started.
Why am I blogging about this? Because after this conversation, I began to realise that there were about three such trees on the street where I live, on the path to the grocery store and quite a number in school. They are beautiful but I had not noticed them before.
The purpose of this is:
... NOT to suggest to my single guy friends that there are beautiful flowers in their midst if only they would open their eyes! (even though this is TRUE)
... NOT to get you to figure out the street on which I live
... NOT to turn you into'plant' people
but I write things so I can remember them. I am writing this to remind myself to look for the Jacaranda... Not to allow myself to be bogged down by the long list of things that I need to do', the 'heat', 'traffic' or 'congestion' of life ..so much that I miss the Jacaranda. I want to be able to stop and enjoy the beauties that God has give me in this life. Stop for a bit... long enough to see and smell the purple flowers and give thanks. It makes a difference
Not sure who will read this one... It has been ages! I am not even sure I still know how to do this (as if I ever did!). Anyway... It has been a crazy semester in more ways than one. I have been cramming my head to find words for all my assignments that by the time I wanted to blog, my words had gum(were over)! People who know me well find it hard to believe that I can run out of words but apparently it is possible! I even find myself below the word limit in assignments and I search high and low for words! (Yes... me the kasuku!)
I have had a couple of 'overwhelmed' moments recently. Some of them have been in little things and big things. I have experienced that feeling of 'I can't deal with this'... 'I'm tired out'... 'God please make it stop!' And I have a feeling some of you might have even dealt with stronger feelings as you grappled with complex things that are not how they should be or could be or how you want them to be and it can be in more than one area of life.
I am beginning to rant on and on and finish my words so I'll get to the point! Did you know that Paul- the big time spiritual guru in the Bible felt that way?! Hmmm....
2 Corr 1:8-9 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.
The guy even as if wanted to die!!! I am sure he had good reason for his feelings. The truth is that life happens. Stuff does not always go right even when you do everything 'right'. Joseph did no wrong but found himself at the bottom of a pit his brothers had thrown him into, then he was sold off as a slave(like seriously?) and even when he did that work real well and turned down the Mrs who wanted to sleep with him, he ended up in jail! Yup.. stuff happens. But there is a 'but'... there is always a 'but'...
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.. 1 corr 10:13
I have been encouraged that even though I feel stretched out, God enables me to handle. He believes in me and knows that even in my weakness, I am strong. Even for Paul who despaired, he concludes with a 'but' (remember I told you there is always a 'but')
But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corr 1: 9b
Did I mention that the semester is still going on? Yup.. I have six assignments due next week :-) Gotta go! All the best as you fight your battles this week. God be with you- and me too!
