The Benefits of our Mistakes.

How often do we think that our mistakes are costly, horrible, embarrassing, shameful disasters? It is that kind of thinking that can rob us of the true beauty our mistakes can bring forth.

I had a silly incident last night, but it gave me some fresh perspective. It was an ordinary Friday night. I was relaxing at home, watching a dvd. Afterwards I sat in my room praying for a bit before bed. I was praying because I was feeling super stressed about some specific areas in my life, and all these areas are linked to or connected to a specific nation, America.

I reached a point in my prayer where i literally handed it over to God and asked him to Be God in it. and ....AMEN! close on 11 pm my side. the word ""Amen" and just come out my mouth when my phone rang.

It was an American number.

I answered it. I always answer overseas numbers because I have friends and family all over the world.

The voice, though familiar, was not making sense. There statement was confusing. It took a few minutes for us to establish that this person, a friend from South Africa, now living in America had accidently called my number instead of a colleague's. awkward.

My poor friend had messed up. It was a mistake. and it was costly [mistakes usually are] this time it was more likely a financial cost. But the timing of the call, who the person was and which nation they live in was no co-incidence. and no, this has never happened before.

The thing is, I firmly believe in God there are no co-incidences. I don't know what the call means. What I do know is the timing encouraged me greatly that God had heard my prayer and was paying attention. God took my friend's mistake and used it to encourage me.

I look back over life, and at friend's lives. The ones who come through the strongest, are the most positive, and the most encouraging are the ones who don't spend their lives trying to live down their pasts or better themselves or right their wrongs.

These people who come out like shining stars are the ones who embrace God's grace in the face of their mistakes and let Him create something beautiful out of it. They fall, and we all know if you fall you fall hard, but they embrace Grace and Forgiveness and grip his hand and let Him dust them off and then they stand and bring a testimony.

If we strive to live them down, our mistakes continue to have power over us and we run the risk of continued or greater failure, pride and more. We exhaust ourselves and it shapes our destiny. But if we grip the hand of Grace and leave room for God to be God in our mistakes, we not only find restoration and freedom in Him. We allow Him to be the power in our lives. But also that testimony will encourage and bring freedom to others.

just some food for thought this cloudy Saturday morning.

Psalm 37:23-24 [NIV]
The Lord makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in him;
24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
    for the Lord upholds him with his hand

Sunday Random Sunday 3

Been quite a tiring week, but there was still a bit of time for fun and creativity..... my nails fell victim to my creativity this time..... the joys of water marbling....ensures each nail is different from its friend....so much fun....

 Plus the remnants of nail polish in a jar, makes awesome creative shapes, and look cool in photos. . . its also a fun way to make friends guess what it is....and stretch their creative minds.

 Of course their is always time for friends. I must confess, that whether its co-incidence or not.... my new place seems to be attract more social time. I have spent almost 3 years in isolation and am really enjoying having friends drop by more often in my new home. . . lots of chilled time, and fun times.... and there is always time for games.

 Of course my faithful companion has finally settled in and is more at home in our new home. . . which means he has finally stopped peeing on the couch and has finally taken to sleeping on it.

 And my little garden is starting to open up in response to the excessive spring rain we seem to be having....here's a glimpse of some of the new life coming through.

 apparently ants like to photo bomb my flower pics :p

Doesn't the colours God puts together in nature astound you?
Speaking of colour.....got a bit more done on one of my art projects.

And of course....as often happens when creativity hits....my hair gets attacked...instead of cutting it...i decided to go back to my roots, my origins..... blonde here i come..... bad pic....still a work in process....but its fun regardless. . .. have a great week all of.