Faith

Grandpa.

Posted on by hanmadestuff

grandpame(Grandpa and me.)

My Grandpa died last week. The funeral was on Monday. I’m sad he’s gone because I miss him. He was the nicest person, and was always so happy to see me.

I remember he always used to tickle us after we finished tea and we’d try to escape but would be trapped under the table by the grown-ups legs! I remember doing puzzles with him on the floor of their lounge room. I remember lots of visits to their house where we’d walk down to see the train, play dress-ups with their old clothes, have picnics at the park, pick carrots and strawberries from their garden.

He was very sick by the end, and was very ready to go. So in a way it’s a relief – he’s no longer suffering but is with his Saviour.

This was the last hymn that we sung at the funeral, with my aunty and cousin playing piano and guitar. It was so beautiful to hear everyone singing so loudly and joyfully.

See you again, Grandpa.

xoxo

One year of marriage.

Posted on by hanmadestuff

To my dear husband,

It’s been a whole year since we were married. How time has flown by. I knew marriage was supposed to be good, but until I married you I didn’t realise just how good it could be. It’s certainly not always perfect. Not always rainbows and lollipops. But sharing the bad as well as the good makes it all so much richer.

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If we each only thought of ‘me’, I don’t think our marriage would have lasted even this long. It’s only by the grace of God that we still love and respect each other. We love each other only because He loves us. Our love for each other overflows out of the great love God has put in our hearts. We can forgive each other because we have both been forgiven by Him so, so much. I need to remind myself of this every day, or else I slip back into selfish love of self.

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You’re such a good man, and husband. So kind and generous, full of forgiveness for me (and others). You work hard at your job as well as all your other commitments. You’re so much fun! You don’t mind my weird-ness, and even embrace some of it (thankyou!). You’re strong, yet so very tender – I can’t wait to see you as Dad to our babies one day!

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I’m so happy you’re in my life, and I’m so happy we’re sharing life together, as husband and wifey. I love you so much more than when we were first married. Maybe one hundred times more already! You’re my very favourite. My best friend and constant support. I look forward to sharing however many more moments and years God has for us.

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Love always,

me.

Faith

Happy Easter!

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Happy Easter!

If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.

― Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

Faith

I make myself

Image | Posted on by hanmadestuff

I make myself

Chose joy.

Sometimes its hard to feel happy. I don’t think it is appropriate to be happy all the time. But I think joy is something different to happiness. It doesn’t depend on circumstances like happiness does. My joy comes from knowing the truth. From knowing that I am so loved by my Heavenly Father that he would send his son to die on a cross for me. (That is why Good Friday is so good!) The penalty for my rebellion against God has been paid by Jesus. I have been forgiven, accepted. I no longer owe anything. I no longer have to try to prove myself to be good enough – no more striving in vain. My debt has been paid in full and I am free. Free to live a thankful life full of joy.

So even when things are bad, I make myself chose joy.

Thankyou Jesus.