3 GIFTS FOUND TODAY IN SOMEONE OLDER THAN YOU

Today was Mum's opportunity for a massage.

It's a special time for us. Just the two of us for an hour and a half, while I relax and lengthen, effleurage and stretch...

And we talk unhurried... about all the deeper things. We listen... with caring ears. We take our time and wander from one subject to another, completing each before moving on. A mother and her daughter - two women each with a family intertwined - two hearts committed to each other.

As we talk we share ideas, thoughts, plans. Once she taught me how to walk - now two separate paths with the same destination. She's further down her path than I am. Wisdom is one of the garments she wears gracefully. She shares it with me often. I am grateful.

I continue to work systematically up her body and over...exploring, finding, working, releasing...
As a grand finale I apply a hot towel for a facial massage... a little bit of heaven... and that's where we go. Time stands still as we pray for us and our's. She goes here often for me and mine, but today is special.  Together time.

Gift #1 -  A friend

Gift #2 -  Wisdom

Gift #3 -  Prayer support.

3 GIFTS THAT ARE DIFFICULT

We awoke to yet another blue cloudless sky in the winter tropics... one of the perks of living in this corner of the world. My darling and the older kids had gone to work. The younger kids had started their school work. A loaf of bread was baking. Morning routine was busy, but normal. Soon my parents, who are up visiting, would be arriving probably armed with a delicious assortment of iced buns and sweet treats. Time to get the kettle on...we don't see them often and I wanted to enjoy every minute of our precious time together.
Ring! Ring! ... a referred client in great pain. " Sure, I'll be right there".
Not too much later I'm in the car driving to her home, when I became aware of that 'overwhelmed' feeling beginning to rise within me. I love my job, but this morning I really wanted to enjoy time with family.
And then I heard Him speak from the deep place..."Do you trust me?"
I knew the answer. Many years have passed of continuous lessons in this class. His patient hand has brought me far  on this journey. "Yes, Lord. I trust you."
"Then dance with Me."

Oh, yes, I want that! I know instinctively that more lessons are ensuing, but I want it.

I choose to trust. I stop thinking of what I am missing and tell myself to give myself 100% to my new client. Soon I am absorbed in relieving her pain. I am grateful.

On completion I make my way home. A beautiful blue hue is still overhead. Family happily wiles away the afternoon until everyone is laughing and telling tales around the dinner table. Thinking we'd finished I am surprised when everyone starts bustling about. What's going on? Big lavish cake, presents...

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you..."

It's not quite my birthday yet, but they'd organised it as a surprise in my absence this morning. More laughing. Photos. Time with the family I love.

Is this what dancing feels like?



3 Gifts difficult...? I look back on the day and muse on how things I once found difficult are no longer such an obstacle when I choose to trust His lead.


with grateful thanks Loma Photography©

A GIFT BENT, BEAUTIFUL, LOVED

This morning I had a new massage client who asked me why I chose this profession. As I began to tell her my story I realised that I was today's gift.
In answer to her question, I got into massage because I was physically BENT out of shape and full of pain. I was able to be a gift to my client as I released her BENT.

I was also BENT on the inside. As I looked at me, I did not see someone BEAUTIFUL. But He, by His grace, has patiently changed me until I now see BEAUTIFUL. As my client and I were talking I was able to give her a gift by sharing some of my inside-story with her, hopefully helping her on her own BEAUTIFUL journey.

And LOVED?

Oh, yes, I know I am LOVED! I used to question it...didn't feel LOVED... but the more He has unBENT my bends, the more secure I have become in His love.  And the more secure I am in His love, the more I can accept (and feel) the love of others...the more I can be a gift of love to them.

I ( by His grace) am a gift

  BENT,

 BEAUTIFUL,

 LOVED.

How do you view yourself?