Kaye Hollings's Blog, page 3

out of the storm – Like a butterfly

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam and for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong to our world but then it flies away, out of sight and out of reach. Although we wish it could have stayed, we feel so blessed to have seen it. 

I’m often reminded of these words (author unknown) as I volunteer at Crossroads Disability Program.

God recently tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me of 2 books on my shelf that I hadn’t read in years.

So I have just re-read A Friend like Henry – the story of an autistic boy written by his mum as she honestly shares her struggles, heartaches and eventual victories of living with autism.  The clear message is the overwhelming power of love.

The second one was Sandy – a Butterfly Emerging . The faith of this amazing lady as she dealt with cerebral palsy is mind boggling. She was a Sydney Crossroader for many years.  To be mute but able to understand all that is said, is a frustration I just can’t imagine. She became the first mute nun in Orange NSW and her beautiful insights into the heart of Jesus make you weep.

She, and others like her, know immediately if someone is genuine in the care and time they offer and can pick a fake easily. What a sober reminder in our dealings with the disabled to be real. Although speech isn’t always possible for them, our attitude and body language is being felt , read and observed every day. These incredible people continue to challenge and bless me.

After all, each of us is a butterfly emerging. None are perfect but we all have a unique place in our world and one day transformation will be complete. 

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out of the storm – Prayer for the new year

Back in 1908  Minnie Louise Haskins wrote the following beautiful words that are still used as a prayer to usher in a new year:

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day.

Psalm 36:9, written so much earlier than 1908 but timeless in its truth, expands that thought –

For with you is the fountain of life.  In your light we shall see light.

May we learn to bask in God’s light throughout 2019.

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out of the storm – One Little Candle

Christmas is a dark time for many – an empty chair at the table; a makeshift table around a hospital bed; the pain of loneliness; the heartache of fractured families. Others of us are in a better place and can give something back and touch a heart with love and compassion. These beautiful words from His Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd spoke to me:

‘I stepped into your darkness so you would shine for Me. Did you know that I have empowered you to light up the lives of everyone around you? You are My light to the world. So walk with Me and let Me illumine your life today with My love and My power. Look to me and I will make you the bright spot in someone’s darkness today.’

Jesus is still the reason for the season. Please take the time to listen to One Little Candle and have a meaningful Christmas.

 

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out of the storm – Labyrinth of life

As a lover of words, labyrinth always grabs my attention. I know what it is but it conveys so much more that doesn’t appear in the dictionary. The Concise Oxford says Complicated irregular structure with many passages hard to find your way through, but I’m thinking possibilities, mystery, adventure and a challenge to more self understanding.

I have just finished reading Sensible Shoes by Sharon Garlough Brown, Christian fiction about four women from very different backgrounds who all find themselves at a spiritual retreat where walking a labyrinth is part of the program. The story unpacks what happens to them on their prayer walk, how they experience God in new ways and find much needed food for their souls.

In the labyrinth of life we often take wrong turns and find ourselves lost but God tells us He is not the author of confusion but of peace. Wow! What a promise. There are labyrinths in cathedrals, gardens and paddocks but if there isn’t one near you, He’s always only a prayer away.

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out of the storm – Are we battered, bruised or blessed?

On our recent holiday along the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide, we were impressed with the Twelve Apostles (retaining name although only eight still standing) and London Bridge, another startling formation.

As these weathered rock formations stood guarding the coastline along the Southern Ocean on a sunny day, it was easy to only see the beauty and miss the battering, constant wearing down, fierce storms and winds that had shaped them.

After a few days in Adelaide we boarded the Murray Princess, a replica paddle wheeler, for a three-day cruise. This was my definition of peace – a beautiful boat on a calm winding river with nothing to do but soak up the scenery and watch the energetic birds circling and diving around us. I was surprised to find high sandstone cliffs along much of the Murray.  On board were a group of people seemingly with not a care in the world slowly meandering past more rugged rocks bruised by the passage of time.

Behind all the holiday masks however were stories of struggle and perseverance but during these refreshing, uplifting days, God touched my soul and I soared with the birds. Brother Lawrence, a 17th century French monk, wisely said –

 

At any moment and in any circumstance, the soul that seeks God may find him, and practice the presence of God.

This is easy when ‘we’re on the boat’ but I was reminded that these are necessary times for us to restock our reserves of faith and trust so we don’t fall over if we are buffeted in the future. Just as the Twelve Apostles remain a landmark that attracts many, may we also be a rock that draws and challenges those who need encouragement, while never forgetting that God is our rock, the one who strengthens us and makes our way perfect.

 

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out of the storm – Is it possible to have a balanced life?

Over the last few weeks I have been very busy while trying to balance life and commitments.

I spoke at a Book Club meeting where Shaped was the book for discussion. It’s exciting and humbling to see one of your books highlighted with coloured markers and post-it stickers and people firing questions. These ranged from writing and publishing issues to personal reflections on my story and their similar experiences.

I’ve been facilitating a Grief and Loss Course and have taken a funeral, walking alongside those who have lost someone special.  There’s a cost to caring but it is such a privilege.

There’s been coffee and lunches with friends that provided time for laughs, and a movie with hubby for relaxation. I try to always snatch a short time for reading each day but must confess I haven’t picked up a new book recently. I’ve also had 3 swims in my outside unheated pool which was stimulating and several walks along the beach relishing the wind in my hair and sand between my toes!

Does anyone have a truly balanced life? God is not the author of confusion but of peace says the Bible so our messy, over-extended days are self inflicted. I know we need a balance between the spiritual, the physical, the emotional, the intellectual and the social areas of living but for me this goal is still a work in progress. With God’s help, I’m trying to get it right.  When on holidays, as in above pic, it’s a lot easier, isn’t it?

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out of the storm – First Anniversary of Shaped

This time last year I was eagerly waiting for my Shaped delivery.

The first anniversary of anything is a time for reflection, isn’t it? It has been a busy 12 months of promotion, marketing, book talks and word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied readers. This type of feedback is invaluable to an author.  Shaped e-book sales are starting to grow and all 3 of my titles are regularly selling through Newlife Uniting Church at Robina on the Gold Coast. Thank you to all who have posted reviews online. Following are 2 of many that have humbled me and reinforced why I write:

I finished your lovely book Shaped. It has been a real blessing to me, and given me some extra insights about depression. I see the book as a blessing from God to have better understanding about our son’s depression.                    Jan
I am writing to let you know how much your book has helped me. I was at a very low place when I read it, wondering how I will cope with my mum’s Alzheimer’s disease. Your journey has truly helped me realise there will be light at the end of this difficult stage. It also helped me realise that it is a gift to have a balanced mind and positive outlook on life, changing my mindset to one of being grateful for my balanced mind and helping me find more compassion to help mum in her situation. Thank you again. You have a beautiful way of writing. I honestly couldn’t put your book down once I started reading it and I keep it by my bed to read from time to time to help me cope.                                                                                                                                 Margaret  

There can be no better encouragement than knowing others are being touched and given hope.

However, the year has also brought heartache, heaviness, grieving and pain along with happiness, holidays, changes and new starts. The shaping of our lives never really stops as God improves and perfects his design.  And like my little yellow friend here, we can always find something to smile about each day.

 

 

 

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out of the storm – Walking with the bereaved

Last week I conducted my 95th funeral service!  It is such a privilege to be invited into homes to share in their grief and pain. It’s also a challenge to find the right words that will resonate with their feelings and beliefs and provide some comfort and hope for the weeks ahead.

It never ceases to amaze me that most of the beautiful and meaningful quotes are penned by those who are familiar with suffering. Shakespeare said that ‘Tears water our growth‘ and the Bible says that ‘God collects our tears in a bottle‘.  For me this means that our hurt and pain aren’t wasted.  God knows and understands our heartache and perhaps pours our tears back into our lives as refreshment when we need it.

This insightful quote from Helen Keller is one I use often:

‘The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.’

If we didn’t love we wouldn’t grieve and bereavement wouldn’t be in our vocabulary, so grief is the price of love.

Stunning scenery and music can take us to new heights in our mind but our love for someone who has passed away remains forever in our heart. We all have to hold on to the love, not the loss.  Grief is a passage, not a place to stay.

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out of the storm – Words: Lit any fires lately?

‘Words have a tremendous, even an awesome power. Words can bless or they can blister, they can lift or they can load, they can heal or they can hurt, they can bring comfort or consternation.’ (Selwyn Hughes)

And these words from the Bible say it all: Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  It’s so easy to start a fire but much harder to quench it and our words, once said, can’t be recalled as they smolder and burn into someone’s heart like an out-of-control emotional forest fire.

We can learn so much from our animal friends, can’t we?  With looks, body language, tail wags and sloppy licks we know we are loved, understood and watched over without a single word being spoken.  Our pet often reads us better than our friend and gives greater comfort, but for all my friends reading this, don’t panic.  I don’t plan to lick your face any time soon but you know what I mean!                                                                                        

This pic was so cute I had to use it. My interpretation is that weasels can’t talk so weasel words are those left unspoken, doing no damage and causing no hurt.  If you know of some other deep and hidden meaning, please don’t enlighten me as I like my meaning more!

Lit any fires recently?

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out of the storm – Fragrance or odour. What influence do we leave?

The beautiful flowers I was given for Mother’s Day kept on giving. Whenever I saw them I was uplifted. Whenever I smelt them I was amazed at their ongoing perfume and was reminded of a verse in a poem I wrote for my children many years ago –

Who put the seeds in the apple          

who put the sap in the tree

who put the smell in carnations –

the God who made you and me.             

But as I reluctantly threw the jaded blooms out this morning, the beauty had faded leaving an unpleasant odour. I was challenged again to consider the influence we leave behind after we exit a room. Do we encourage and empathise or grumble and gossip? Do we listen without judging or talk endlessly about ourselves? We can either leave a spirit of hope or a spirit of hopelessness. Perhaps you’ve read this in the Bible – Thanks be to God who through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him, for we are to God the aroma of Christ.  Oh boy, no pressure!

The odour of unwashed bodies, the stench of uncollected rubbish and the stink of rotting food make us gag and move away but the aroma of coffee and hot bread, the scent of perfume and flowers invite us to draw closer, to linger and enjoy.  

What is the fragrance of our lives?

 

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