Food for thought.

As a child I was always enthralled by the television series "The Waltons." It seemed to me to be the height of family life and something I thought was wonderful.It made me long for a big family, where good wholesome values were upheld and life was always sunny even in the midst of rain clouds. Particularly I was always taken by the harmonious meal times where edifying conversation took place, where the family passed each other things and joined together each day in peace.

Well, what can I say? Has my dream come true? Are the meal times at Rectory Towers anything like The Walton's family meal times. A resounding "NO" shouts out. There is always much discussion that is true. But it generally revolves around who has the crispiest roast potato, who has got more drink in their glass and whether or not we really have to sit at the table anyway because there is something really good on the television and So and So always has their tea in front of the telly.

Does this sound familiar to you? I do hope so because I am always cheered by the fact that what goes on in our house goes on in others households too.It makes me feel that I am not a total failure and at least I am trying my best to do what is right.

I guess for me it highlights that life is not what we'd always expected, nor what we had always dreamed it would be when we were growing up. My dreams and aspirations when I younger were so different from now. Now I hope for good weather to get the washing dry, a reasonable night's sleep and a trip to the loo without someone hammering on the door wanting something. Gosh, how my life has changed!!

And yet I still have so many dreams, so many things that I believe God is calling me to do and they stir my heart and soul and make me feel alive. And one of those things is parenting my children well, making them feel that they really do matter to me and showing them that in so many ways and, please God, showing them Jesus, which is really tough at times as at heart I am a miserable, mean mother who does not reflect Jesus at all. There are other dreams too that are perhaps on the back burner for now because the time isn't right now but one day, in God's time it will be.

One of my favourite verses from scripture is from Psalm 138. It says, "The LORD will fulfil His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands."

Keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, who will bring all things to pass in His time is where my focus needs to be and also to be thankful for this point in my life which also is a gift from Him.

Tell you what though, I certainly didn't get the biggest roast potato at dinner time :( Still there's always pudding....:~)

Take care.

Love,

Rachel.