Opposition.. helpful for shaving hair!

Yesterday morning I shaved my hair off to help raise funds for The Leukaemia and Blood Foundation. No, it's definitely not a normal look! I have to say that on Friday, I was feeling a little unwell. My stomach was doing a bit of churning and there was a little drummer boy hammering away in my head. Yea, Ow! But after lying down for about 5 minutes I decided it was nerves and dove outta bed, to get on with the day. With that decision the sick spell diminished and then disappeared.

Satuday morning came and I felt slightly anxious when asked if I was nervous, but that was about it, though I didn't want to see the braids which had been cut off. I have to say, I'm almost a little disappointed for those who came along. There was no drama, no tears and I think maybe the wonderful hairdresser may have been more nervous than myself! Thanks so much to those who came along. The ease of the shave can only be put down to one thing; opposition.

To start with, God gave me the strength to say yes, because in normal circumstances there's absolutely no way I would shave my hair off! Anyone who knows me would easily agree I'm sure. I am most definitely a feminine female and I like my curly hair (most of the time). Having to fight to stay with the decision came with the help of friends. I was surprised to discover some of my closer friends were adamant that I shouldn't do it. As much as I was perturbed by this, it helped me realise their love and acceptance. But I can be a little stubborn, so with every friend that said no, my yes got a wee bit louder. You girls and guys didn't realise it at the time, but you really helped firm up my decision. The opposition helped me find the determination and conviction to go through with the shave! Thanks people!

Isn't that just like God? He knew just what I needed to help me follow through. He knew all about that streak of stubborness, which could easily be mistaken for determination. And just like He does with me, God would like to use every oppression, fight, battle, opposition and more to strengthen you. To increase your conviction and build your character. He's pretty amazing.

Break the dam!

Recently at essence a friend shared a picture she saw of a dam, I forget everything mentioned, but the water signified the Holy Spirit. It was a similar picture to what I’d seen and thought about during the week. I’ll make it easy and share what I saw.

The dam was quite full, and had what looked like two large hills on either side of it. The front of the dam was made of concrete, this dam didn‘t have any spillways in it to allow the release of water. The dam began to get cracks in it’s wall and water started to flow through them, this continued for a time. Then I saw another picture of what used to be a dam, in it’s place was a huge wall of water bursting it’s way between the hills and confines that once held it. The difference with this one was that it never ever depleted of water, it continued to spill over.

Sometimes I wonder what and who I am. Am I the dam, that refuses to let the water out, but enjoying it’s sustenance, until it begins to taste odd? Do I have spillways and allow water to trickle out now and again because I am so generous and kind?

Or am I more like those hills in the picture, catching and holding water, but also allowing it to flow through and give sustenance to everyone?

Which one are you?

Shaving my locks for a cause

About two months ago, I was listening to Kris Valloton through itunes and he mentioned a story about Jacob. You can read it for yourself in Gen 30:27-39. Jacob took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches. They were placed in the watering troughs so they’d be front of the flocks when they drink. When the sheep mated in front of the branches they produced spotted and speckled sheep. They reproduced what they saw. Kris went on to state how we reproduce what we see. Think about it, it's true. Children often copy their parents and there's a popular statement in the business world that every Manager needs to live by: Lead by example! This got me thinking. It wouldn’t and doesn’t stay out of my head. I want to reproduce what God does, I just need to see what He's doing. Get the pod cast! I’ll let you know which one it is if you’re interested.

So I began to read the gospels. I got to the end and read them again, which was difficult because it’s quite repetitive. I wanted to see what Jesus did, so I could do it. Well I’m not certain of what God has done, but something is happening. There is this desire in me to see what God is doing now! I also wonder what it looks like to reproduce the works of Jesus. Time will tell.

I was in Aussie recently and was amazed by God. My sister took me to the esplanade(inside mall) in Cairns. Everywhere I turned people were smiling at her. People went out of their way to serve her. People knew her. I don’t think I can describe it. I hear about people who walk into the room and there’s just this amazing presence of God. Well that’s what it was like, just this overwhelming sense of God and divine favour. For me it was a God encounter!! Our divine favour is for everyone, I began to ask God to show me how to make the most of my moments with everyday people, moment by moment. Still am!

Lately the ability to relate with people has increased immensely. An answer to prayer. Mostly it's come about through healing and God opening my eyes to His Love. His Love is enough to heal anybody. Our ability to love and be a blessing comes by seeing ourselves through the eyes of His Love. I'm still a baby on this but it'll grow as I live out of this truth. Because of that my life has changed. Again. I want my encounters with people to count. Lord, may I reproduce what you do. I wanna be a greater blessing! I want God to use me however he wants to, so when I went on TradeMe three weeks ago and saw this guy who was donating his dreads to a cause, something just got stirred. When I ran into my Aunty a few weeks ago, who’s son passed away from leukaemia, my heart must have continued considering it. When someone at the retreat mentioned a family member who has been diagnosed with this condition, something must have happened in the spirit. When I looked in the local paper and saw that advertisement yesterday, I cut it out and my head finally said YES! This is where stubbornness is very handy. I’m gonna do it! I’ll donate my curls. It will be really sad to see them go, but the good thing is: they’ll grow back…. eventually. The bonus is: this will be very uncomfortable and challenging.

I’m not doing this for God, I’m doing it with him.

Check in later, or see my facebook page for details(I'm still waiting for my sponsor page with Shave for a cause) and keep an eye out on TradeMe