Grace and Truth

Mark just went back to work today. It's funny how in the holidays, most days, I can be pretty relaxed about housework - it doesn't matter if there are piles of clothes to be folded, a few toys lying around, washing up to be done, we seem to be able to take a bit of a relaxed view to life. But as soon as Mark goes back to work, this bizarre thought comes into my head that by the time he walks in the door again, everything must be picture perfect. Maybe its to show that I did something today, and because I want some praise, or to show that haven't been completely lazy while he was working so hard, or because I need to feel that I'm doing something valuable with my day. 


Or maybe its from reading some 1950's housewife book about making sure children are bathed and dressed for bed, dinner is cooked, and all the housework is done by the time your husband walks in the door. And to make sure you take some time to hear about your husband's day, don't bother him with the boring details of yours, while your children play silently in another room.
I had such a laugh when I watched Mary Poppins recently to hear Mr Banks singing his 'on the way home from work' song:
The Life I lead - Mr Banks
(have a look at this youtube link)


This is one of my favourite parts:
"It's 6:03 and the heirs to my dominion
Are scrubbed and tubbed and adequately fed
And so I'll pat them on the head
And send them off to bed
Ah! Lordly is the life I lead!"


Anyway, whatever that feeling is and wherever it comes from, I've squashed it on the head, and going to continue in our holiday mode for today.


I really feel to focus my blog this year on 'grace & truth' for the supermum. There are so many lies we believe and expectations we feel we need to live up to (our own and others), many things to feel guilty or inadequate about - but to all of that there is the truth of God's word - tried and tested ancient proverbs, that bring grace and truth to every aspect of life. That's the domain that I want to live in. 


I'd love for you to come along for the journey as I explore some of the lies we mums come up against, and as I find some grace and truth for those. But mostly I'm doing this blog for me, because it's a journey I need to go on this year.


Grace and truth to you,
Sarah

Grace and holidays

Soon we'll be visiting our favourite secret secluded holiday spot for a good rest and refresh. I wrote this last time we had the pleasure of staying there.

One afternoon I half jogged, half walked, down to the beach to see the final stages of sunset, just a few moments before dinner was needed to be put on and Simeon to be fed. Mark had just rushed back from the beach to give me the opportunity to see the sunset and have a quick breather.
As I came over the sand dune I saw a rainbow over the expanse of the ocean, and another part rainbow on top of it. I could see all the colours, purple, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, lilac. It was as if the rainbow were singing over that beach and landing in the trees near the rocks at the end of the beach.
As I gazed at the rainbow and the waves glistening in the light of the sunset, washing up on the shore and washing over footprints and disheveled sand, smoothing away the traffic of the day, I think of God's promise to never flood us away again. The rainbow, the message of the cross, that He won't flood us away, that He washes our sins away and won't hold them against us.
A couple walks past me, have they seen the rainbow? Are they walking by enjoying their walk but oblivious to the amazing beauty set before them? Although it feels like this experience is just for me, it's available to all of us on the beach that day.
Just before I turn to go back I spot something in the waves. Could it be? Then on the next wave I see the dark shadows diving through the waves, their fins exposed just above the surface. Dolphins diving and spinning and turning. Diving over the waves and then riding them up the beach. I watch as they dive over and over through the waves on their journey from one end of the beach to the other, flipping over on their tummies, enjoying the last warm rays of the sun, dancing under the rainbow. A whole family of dolphins swimming together, enjoying creation together.
The couple are now almost to the end of the beach, they've missed this beautiful sight. I want to call out to them, but it's too far to call, and instead I just stand there in awe of
His creation, filled with joy while caught in this moment.
The family of dolphins are disappearing from view and I turn to catch the fading pinks and hues of purple. As I turn to walk back a tiny bird hops across my path wagging it's little blue tail.
He has given us this beautiful life and tied it up with a bow, a promise of forgiveness and grace and eternity, if I only we stop and receive it, it's available for us.
As the darkness deepens, I see the lights of the house glowing up the road, calling me home. My pace quickens as I think of my family waiting for me, their beaming smiles, the giggles, the tight squeezes, and I'm filled with joy to meet them and tell them what an amazing sunset I've seen.