Lessons I learnt from my Grandma.

Yesterday we celebrated the wonderful life of my precious Grandma Beryl. She passed away on Sunday morning, her very favourite day of the week :) And now she is rejoicing in heaven. It's been quite an intense two weeks, but amidst the sadness and sorrow, I have been amazed and thankful for the precious gift of family and friends. Why is it that when we face sadness and tragedy, we just want to be surrounded by people we love? Well, it's because love heals. :) It brings truth and hope and "peace that surpasses our understanding"...  so even in the midst of a storm, LOVE will always carry us through.

...

I love that. Love bears all things. To bear = is to support or carry the weight of something, to endure an ordeal or difficulty, to hold up and remain firm under a load. My Grandma definitely loved well. She loved God with all her heart, so it flowed through to me and everyone else she knew. 

This is a little snippet of what I shared yesterday:

"I just loved being around Grandma. Whether it was for cups of tea or chats, I would always leave her house feel so encouraged, loved and filled with joy. When I was with her, it felt like time slowed down. Her love drew me there, and the busyness of life just stopped as I entered her beautiful space. 

The simplest things brought her so much joy, and she saw beauty in everything. Thinking about this has really challenged me; to see joy in the simple things, to make it a priority to always release the love of God wherever I go, and to spend as much quality time as I can  with people I love. Because do you know what? At the end of the day... loving and being loved is all that matters."

 

So, here are some of the things I have learnt from Grandma. :)

1. Don't wait until someone is 'gone' to recognise their incredible qualities. 

2. Make the most of every moment.

3. Love well and extravagantly.

4. Give generously from a pure and transformed heart.

5. Love every friend and family member as if it's the last time you'll see them.

6. Bring peace to every situation.

7. Prioritise spending quality time with loved ones.

8. Encourage others always.

9. Everyday, tell your friends and family how much you love them.

10. Take LOTS of photos.

I'm so thankful for the blessing my Grandma has been in my life. I can hardly believe it's actually true. I'm going to miss her so very much, but I know I will see her again. :)

Bless you my friends and have a wonderful day!! :)

nat x

Images - Pinterest

Tis the Season . . . to Rest.

Hi friends :) I hope you are all good!! Happy Wednesday! 

Hooray it's the 4th of December... which means, 20 sleeps to go yay! 

Have you got your tree up now? If you haven't quiiiiiick, it's already December 4!

So how have you been feeling lately? It's a bit busy isn't it! He he... I was talking to a girlfriend of mine last night and we were both thinking how crazy it is that we've been finding ourselves at 10:30 at night, with a whole list of things we need to do! So... I have taken a little stocktake of everything I'm doing at the moment, and have decided make a few changes to create . . . . . .  s  p  a  c  e   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I just figured, I want to actually enjoy this Christmas season! I don't want to be bombarded with a bazillion things to do (most of which I quiet often create myself by the way) and then feel the pressure of it all! Hello?! No no no. Instead of busyness there is calm. Instead of noise there is quiet.

So one of the changes I have felt to make is with the blog. For this holiday season I'll be doing a weekly blog post, rather than my regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday posts. This will enable me to spend lots more time with family and friends, which I absolutely love doing this time of year. So... he he, you won't actually know when the blog is coming, but it will be a BIG surprise in your inbox when it comes!!!!

So that's what I am working on in my life at the moment. Creating space... Which makes room. And when we have room... that's where God can move and breathe and release his life-giving rest and creativity!

So let me inspire you... do a little stocktake of everything you are doing and see if you'd like to create some extra space this season. You might be fine and loving everything you are doing... or you might just like an extra dose of calm and quiet. So if that's you, here you go! :)

Have a wonderful day my friends! I hope everyone's week is full of encouragement, love and joy as we step into this "most wonderful time of the year"!

love nat xx

 Images via - pinterest

New strength today.

Hi friends happy Wednesday :) Sorry I have been a little bit MIA over the past few days! I've been busy moving house, moving furniture into storage, sorting out clothes for my trip, cleaning my old house.. (and for those who have done that before, would totally agree it is not fun!!) Anyway, suffice to say my little eyes are slightly swollen, just a tad puffy, and my body is cheekily whispering to me "ummmm.. excuse me.. just wondering when we're going to rest?" :)

Of course resting is essential (and I will be doing that believe me), but while "lying down" or "sleeping in" may give you some rest, it doesn't take away your weariness and give you new strength. No. There is only One who can do this, only One who can lead us into this kind of supernatural exchange...

What season of life are you in at the moment? Do you need extra strength today? Well good news! The creator of the entire universe, the One who knit you together in your mother's womb and knows every secret desire and dream of your heart, (even that one you thought of just when you read that!) is there with you right now, wherever it is you are reading this post.. and guess what...? He has NEW strength for you today.

It says in the bible that those who wait upon the Lord, their strength will be renewed. 

.... And so our job is to wait expectantly. :)

And receive His joy. :)

So my challenge to us today, is to wait. To steal a few moments and just wait on Him.
Because He is true to His word and He will bring strength. 

Today is going to be a great day! Our Dad in heaven loves us so much and has wonderful surprises in store for us. Tell me, what are YOU expecting to happen to you today?

nat xx

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 

Great is His faithfulness.

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High,

Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

My God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare, and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

You might be in the best season of your life, or you may be in the middle of a storm...  whatever it is you are facing, He is your Shepherd. He is carrying you, and He has fresh strength for you today. I'm praying for you :)

nat x

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A generous encourager.

Yesterday I was given a card from some people I love very dearly. As I was reading their abundant words of love and encouragement, I felt like I was literally being lit up on the inside. Isn't it amazing that words can do that? I think that's why I love writing so much. When you think about it, words are just letters put together, but when you add a heart behind it, these words literally carry LIFE. :)

What do you need encouragement in today? 

Maybe there's something you're not too sure about.. 

Or maybe you just need to hear those four little words.. "You can do it!!"

Well, what we sow we reap.. so guess what our task is today?

When we sow encouragement, we will reap encouragement.
And when we are encouraged... we flourish.

So let me encourage YOU! Look around you today and really see with the eyes of your heart. There may be someone who crosses your path who simply needs to hear they are doing a great job. :) 

Draw out the gold in others and watch what happens. Your seed of generous encouragement could be the key to someone's breakthrough.

Have a happy Thursday my friends! Thank you for reading my blog, I appreciate each of you from the bottom of my heart! Bless you today.. :)

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 

The 'to do' list.

OK. Imagine you are here today. This is your office and you are preparing your 'to do' list for the day. We all have 'to do' lists right? Well even if you say you don't, you actually do... you just have it in your head. :) Now, some lists, I must admit are more in depth than others..

And others just need a bit of inspiration to write..

Or a bit of colour..

But put your hand up if you are like me.. if you do something and then realise that it is not even ON your list, you immediately proceed to add it to the list, so you can then tick it off. Right?! Otherwise, where was the satisfaction in even completing the task?! Who is with me?! How good does it feel ticking something off the list?!

Anyway.. of course 'to do' lists are great, but sometimes they can get slightly overwhelming and feel like they are overtaking us, leaving us feeling a little..

BUT today.. whatever you are doing, and no matter how busy you are, don’t fret or worry! Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. OK. Are you ready?! Here is today's to do list for you....

How funny is that! Happy Wednesday friends!

nat x

Images - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.