Stop the clock!

It is good to "chill out", "take a break", "smell the roses" because it gives us an opportunity to re-energise ourselves. The question really I like to ask myself and you too is"What do we do with all our energy?" What do we do to exhaust its supply? What occupies our days? Of course, the bills need to be paid, the food has to be there to be cooked etc but are the bills too big... the food too rich? If that is the case, obviously we will be burning ourselves out in order to be debt- free. On the other hand, if we live simply, needing very little to be satisfied, then we have tons to give to others... our time, our love, our presence in their lives. I meet some poor families, mostly large ones, who, inspite of their struggles, care tremendously for each other; sharing the little they have; are extremely sensitive to the other's needs; do not demand anything and exhibit wonderful selflessness. I thank God for this experience of meeting such caring souls. God speaks loudly to me in the poor. I have much to learn from them and have very little to give in return.

Then a cat... now a dog

Right now I am feeling sad because last night, my dog Sheba died. I remember how she was brought home as a puppy, much against my wishes. I had a german shepherd called Barky, in New Zealand, and when she died I was so upset, that I promised myself.. NO MORE DOGS. We came to Sri Lanka and the next thing.. we have a dog. Sheba was such a cute pup and grew to be a very intelligent dog. She guarded us from any danger. She protected us from strangers. She gave love and was a loyal friend. She loved giving her paw when asked to, because she just knew that I would then pet her, stroke her and show her I loved her. I sometimes called her "Sheba girl" and I think she liked that too, a kind of special bonding! We had to part with her in February this year, as we could not take Sheba to our apartment. Sheba lived with our helper and family, where she continued to receive love and care. Dying.. a natural part of life but very hard to accept sometimes. My brain says, death comes to all but my heart says "Why so soon?" Only those who love animals can understand. Sue, my friend, is physically separated from the cat she has befriended and I am forever separated from the dog I loved. Such is life.

My friend Sue

Creeping into the bushes to rescue a stray cat from the clutches of death, my friend Sue, armed with a blue plastic basket finally found her. She took her to the vet, spent her money on this cat, made many visits after that, sitting in a pokey little 24 hour vet clinic for over 2 hours each time, whilst the cat was given a saline drip. It is too long a tale to tell you what brought all this about. Suffice to say that Sue is a small lady with a big heart. She works hard with the women in our project, Hearts and Hands, coming all the way from the UK at her own expense, sweating in the workshop, screaming in terror at rats, cockroaches and mosquitoes but still determined to be involved with a deep committment and desire to make a difference to the lives of 6 young women. She slipped down the stairs at a certain hotel, hurt her back real hard but insisted she spend time at the workshop, although the pain was severe. I feel humbled at being blessed with such a compassionate human being as a friend, workmate!. Blessings.. there indeed are showers of blessings to keep us afloat! Share your blessings with us...

I did it! Yeah... Someone suggested that I should create a blog. I agreed wholeheartedly but then the thought flew as if a gale force wind had captured my mind.
So finally... it has happened. I would love you to write your thoughts on all sorts of subjects.
Here's mine for today....
Well actually this happened yesterday. I was bidding my good husband goodbye as he left to work and I had my hands wrapped around the door frame. One minute I was being friendly and the next I was hollering.. not at him, thank goodness, but because a strong wind shut the door on my fingers. It was a miracle that only one finger on my left hand has some slight bruising to show for it. God spared me, that is for sure. I was deeply thankful to Him but then I pondered... how many times actually has He protected me and I never realised He had done so or if the thought had entered my mind, I had not stopped to thank Him? Miracles happen everyday... may our heart feel its presence so that we it may sing in thanksgiving to God.