Rafiki - the wise one.

 

Have you ever wondered, why age is often associated with wisdom? Well, the older ones have a wealth of experience to draw and learn from. Our pasts is nothing to be ashamed of, to sweep under the carpet, or to pretend it never happened. This Baboon from Lion King, is a wise one... and he had to teach Simba this important lesson; but gave Simba time to grow up and mature before telling him it's time to take his place.

But even when Simba went back after all that time; even though he went back to save the pride lands... Scar managed to make him, and everyone else doubt him, by making them believe a lie. Then, just before Scar was about to push Simba to his death; he told him a secret - that it was him (Scar) who had killed Simba's father. The truth had given Simba newfound strength to save himself and overpower Scar.

The truth sets you free. The old can use their experience to manipulate the younger, naive ones; or to mature gracefully, to be wise old people whose wisdom helps their children get ahead in life.

But many times, people rather let you believe a lie, so that you'll doubt yourself; and they can overpower you - and get you to do what they want you to do and believe. Scar, is like many people around us; the jealous, manipulative, entitled person who thinks you got it too easy.

The past can hurt - but you can either run from it, or learn from it.

I've learnt that when we forgive; especially those who never even asked for forgiveness, its ourselves we are setting free. When we learn from the past and move forward, life has a way of going a full circle without us having to do a thing. 

That time in the wilderness with Timon & Pumba was priceless. Sometimes we need space to block out voices so we can hear ourselves.

Find Us Faithful

Steve Green

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road,
And those who've gone before us
Line the way.
Cheering on the faithful,
Encouraging the weary,
Their lives a stirring testament
To god's sustaining grace.
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful,
May the fire of our devotion
Light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
Lead them to believe,
And the lives we live
Inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us
Find us faithful.

Surrounded by so great
A cloud of witnesses,
Let us run the race
Not only for the prize,
But as those who've gone before us.
Let us leave to those behind us,
The heritage of faithfulness
Passed on thru godly lives.
After all our hopes and dreams
Have come and gone,
And our children sift thru all
We've left behind,
May the clues that they discover,
And the mem'ries they uncover,
Become the light that leads them,
To the road we each must find.

Sometimes, songs speak to us, and remind us of what's important.

Conflicting Statements....

James 1: 2-5

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be matureand complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

So this is a verse that's very hard to digest. Who in their right mind would be happy, when we face trials?

I've been going through a particularly rough patch lately... where I feel numb, no tears left, no words left, a sense of hopelessness and really, seeing a situation before me that I feel is impossible....

Then Jim Brickman's 'My Valentine' plays from my playlist and I'm reminded of how this is the song I chose to dedicate to my husband on our wedding.... and the words remind me that I have a chance now to show him that this song wasn't a random selection....

And it makes me happy....

And I'm reminded too, that James 1: 6 goes on to say... But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Just like that; I'm happy - because God's working on me, and because I get to show my husband that 

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel for you

And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart
Until the end of time

You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

Carpets

So we went carpet shopping some time back, and other than my blog name, can you tell I love carpets? It can make a room that's looking bare and cold, look warm and cozy, it makes you want to sprawl on the floor and read a book, or relax. It takes you to another place and time. We found out recently, when we went carpet shopping, that there are so many types of carpets! Machine woven, hand woven, silk, wool, the list goes on.

But like every thing, its beauty is in the eyes of the beholder; to some, it's just somewhere you sweep all the dirt under, and to some it's a thing of beauty. The thing is - people who appreciate its value will not sweep dirt under it; but instead, treat it with care to preserve its value and beauty.

When all people want is letting a house 'appear clean', they don't have a reason to actually roll the carpet up and clean underneath it; but when someone wants a 'clean house', they will.

So you see, it's a matter of perception and what do we really want? I want to be authentic. I never have been one who cares about appearances - I always cared about how things really are. When I'm dead, let it be said, that the only thing I ever hurt - was someone's ego; because I choose to be real.