Captivating

I've been captivated by the love of Jesus since reading Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge. I was amazed at how long it took me to read through this book. It's only 200 pages and with a week avoiding the burning spanish sun, I had plenty of time to read. But this is a book that requires thoughtful reading if it is to be effective in your life.

I'd better add, this is a book for women. When read by a man, it will provide insight into his loved one but it's main aim is at the heart of a woman's soul.

I've found that in the past couple of days I've found it so much easier to see myself as being truly loved by Jesus. I've always accepted that his love for me led him to the cross. But I've seen it as a love which will bring me into God's presence.

Now I see it as so much more. Jesus pursued me. I didn't find him, he chose me. He chose me because he desired me to be his loved one and to enter into an intimate relationship with him that extends to so much more than just being a person who can stand in the throne room of the Almighty God.

I guess I've always seen myself as one of the courtiers in the crowd of a royal throne room, but Jesus sees me as so much more.

Whilst away

I had a worrying email from my daughter yesterday. It informed me that something terrible had happened but not to worry!

Why do we say that? The natural reaction is always to imagine the worst. In this case, I hadn't imagined the worst. But almost the worst the happened!

On Thursday night our home was burgled. Not much was taken, but it's an awful thought that someone has been in your house whilst you sleep. Sadly, it was the boys who were home when the burglary happened and they were fearful of telling us.

Rob, in his anger and frustration punched a wall and has badly broken his hand. Thankfully, their immediate reaction on discovery of the theft was to inform the police - and then Rob went to the hospital!

The children are all blaming themselves. I've assured them that there are so many "If only"s that no one person can take the blame. The only people who are guilty are the people who grabbed an opportunity to take another person's property.

Tonight we return home. I told them that the only reason I will be angry is if they have failed to supply Ian and I with milk for breakfast tomorrow! We both leave for work around 7 and will have no chance to purchase any. The burglary is done, they police have been informed, the children now need assurance of safety in their own home, not recriminations.

Special Day

Today has been a special day. 47 years ago, my mum gave birth to me.

Ian and I have been enjoying the spanish sun and food for the past 5 days and today, after a magnificant 2 hour lunch we returned to mum's.

After a rest (it's amazing how exhausting a big meal can be) we all went down to Mum's pool. Ian and I stood either side of Mum and after 60 years since she became a Christian, mum was finally baptised. It was a special day!

Mum emailed me several months ago to ask if I would baptise her this week and I've been so excited ever since. When I arrived, she hadn't mentioned it since the email but I was determined to do it. I mentioned it to Mum and she suggested today. It appears that her desire hadn't faded. In fact she was excited at the thought that on the day she celebrated giving life to me, I could celebrate bringing her into a new life.

What a fantastic place to be baptised! In your own pool, in the middle of breathtaking spanish beauty!