A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved

They say a problem shared is a problem halved. I have to confess I have been feeling in a bit of a quandary with my writing just lately, especially since returning home from my holiday. I had such a blessed time; actually it was like a second honeymoon. Yes it was our first holiday without the children in umpteen years and although I missed them it was good to get away, and good for them to have their independence too. Since returning home however, I keep having this thought that I should write another book, friends keep asking me how my writing is going, have I started another book yet?  One friend even asked me ‘what is it called?’ Before I could think I heard myself blurting out a title! Hubby and daughter won’t let it rest either, ‘its not easy writing a book you know! I snapped in retaliation. ‘Well if something is good and worthwhile it’s not going to be easy is it?’  Hubby shot back. ‘Well I still don’t know what to do about this diary thing I have been writing for the last umpteen years.’ I moaned, ‘I still haven’t finished that yet!’

Yes, I feel that is the root of the problem. I like to have a bit of order in my life, and this diary thing is not finished. ‘Why start writing something else when I haven’t finished that yet?’ I complained to myself. Part of me thinks I wrote it to help me with my ministry, 'Beauty & Belief' but then another part of me thinks, ‘should I try to get it published?’ All I know is that I started it to please Him, because at the ripe old age of sixteen I vowed I would never write another diary again. But the Lord had other ideas and in 2008 He laid it on my heart to start one again, with the promise that this one would be different, this one would bring good news not bad.  I will confess it has been picked up then sent back to bed on numerous occasions. Being a person who prays for wisdom each day now that I have completed two seasons I felt led to give it to a couple of my writer friends to read, they have both had published works and write for various magazines. ‘Let’s see what they have to say about it’ I thought!

‘I feel this is something very personal, between you and the Lord,’ my friend replied. ‘Writers should record things, I do the same myself, our writings can prove a great help to us but I do not feel this is something to be published, but thank you so much for sharing it with me. Bless you.’

‘I feel this should definitely be published’ replied my other writer friend. ‘It could be very helpful to someone, I really do not feel this is something just for you, society is changing, people are more open about themselves these day, so many of us are facing problems.’ I think it is something to be shared.

So its back to yours truly, I have to say I agree with both statements. So last night I prayed yet again, and I felt the Lord say, 'Dear child I love you for your questions. Other people have the same questions too. So let’s get to the heart of the matter.'

I was immediately reminded of one of the days in my diary, by the way I’m not calling it a diary its called  ‘Making A Bed of Roses’  and this extract is when I was questioning our calling. I hope it will warm your heart and give you food for thought.

The Heart of the Matter

As I sat sipping my tea I pondered, “Lord Can you please explain why and how you choose certain people to do certain things? Why are some of us called to serve tea while some of us are called to serve a nation? How does this work?” I prayed.

I felt the Lord ponder. “Imagine a field of flowers” He said. “If I asked you to go and pick me a bunch of flowers from the field which ones would you pick?”

I thought carefully about this. “I would pick the ones that look a lovely colour, and look healthy, look as if they would last a long time and obviously I would also pick the ones with a nice smell.”

“Well, imagine these flowers were a person’s heart,” replied the Lord. “You would like to pick the brightest, healthiest heart, full of happiness love and kindness. But as you know, because of things that happen in life, people’s hearts do not look like this. A new born baby’s heart is this way. My desire is to make all hearts this way, to make them pure hearts, full of love and peace and kindness.

So I look at people’s hearts. I see things you cannot see. I see broken hearts, and the more broken they are the more I want to mend them. Make them pure. So I call out to these broken hearts, tell them I want to help them and to mend them, make them mine.  I might do it through another person, through a vision or a dream, through a song or a sorrow or through a written word. I call to them all, one at a time. Some come to me with a yes some will say no, they all have a choice.

But when they come to me with a yes I set a desire in that heart. I see how it responds. We start to work together, their heart and mine because my intention is to make their heart just like mine. Some of these hearts take a long time to mend. Some take only a short time. Depends on the person, the choice is theirs. But those who give their hearts to me become mine. Those who become mine will do great things, more than they can possibly believe or imagine. But with some they hold back, they only give me a part of their heart. If they only give part of their heart I cannot do a full work.”

The Lord chuckled, (I think he saw the look on my face) “Remember, everybody is a work in progress, the little things I love greatly, through little acts of kindness much can be achieved. But the greater the love that heart has for me the greater I will make thee"

'Wow,' I thought, 'How inspiring!'

"How does you heart feel today?" The Lord asked breaking into my thoughts.

"I felt my heart swell as you spoke," I replied.                                                  

Hubby then walked in with a little flower in a pot, it looked very pretty, “To inspire you,” he smiled.   I felt so touched. He always inspires me. With him and the Lord both inspiring me, I so hope I can inspire others!  

How does your heart feel today? Will you stand together with me and pray;

"Dear Lord Jesus, I desire you to do a full work in me. Help me not to stray and not to turn away." 

"Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart."  JEREMIAH 24:7                                                                                                                                                                         

 

Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven’ by Julie Prentice.  Available on Amazon or email julie.jules2007@hotmail.co.uk for stockists. 

                                                                                                                    

New Years Resolutions

Well the first week of the New Year is already drawing to a close; unusual for me I have not made any new years resolutions as yet. As I looked through my closet I felt my mind begin to wander but funnily enough not about what to wear to the party tonight but about all the events that had taken place last year. Yes, 2012 had proved to be very memorable; it had brought about many of my heart’s desires.

My mind recalled that phone call back in March when I had received the news that my birth father had died. ‘What can that have to do with your heart’s desires?’ you may ask. Well I have to confess that it had make me feel sad, it was confirmation that we would not meet. But on the bright side we had corresponded from time to time, so for that l was glad because through our letters, although few and far between it had given me a sister and a whole new family. We met in May then our family found pastures new with a visit to their home too, in South Africa - what an amazing blessing.

It also brought a whole new dimension to our Beauty and Belief Ministry. We had had a wonderful event in April I have to confess that had surpassed all expectations, an evening of inspiration beauty and fashion that had led me to indulge in my passion - to share the love of the Lord. I smiled, there had been a few other events too, some at home, some around our fine city but South Africa proved a real challenge, as I stood in the middle of what the South Africans call a ‘township’ I felt a tug; part of that tug I have to say was ‘Get me out of here! This is so sad.’ But as I looked at the children’s faces I have to confess they didn’t seem sad. I guess it’s because we live in different worlds.

I thought of my home, I like to think of it as my haven, my sanctuary, but what did these people have to call home? Looking around that day I would liken it more to a garden shed than a home, but not a typical garden shed, more like one that has been nailed together out of left over wood, full of holes with gaps for windows and a real makeshift roof. As if to add to the sadness the wind suddenly blew sending a chill across my face. As I brushed the hair from my eyes I sensed it was about to turn cold. Oh for a nice cup of tea!

 As our guide led us back we chatted about the garden project, I could tell he was very passionate about it. On the bright side my sister and her husband’s church were doing something good, they had provided seeds and with the help of our guide the people were learning to grow their own food. So with love and care these dear people now had a stable diet which was proving a great help, as well as giving the people a sense of purpose the doctors had been amazed how much their health had improved. Sadly many were suffering from ill health, at least 35% with Aids and HIV. ‘We are growing hope,’ smiled our guide. ‘It must be down to the food!’

As we drove away I have to say I felt touched but suddenly my attention was drawn to a different kind of building, this one more resembled a shack than a shed, and then my eye caught sight of the sign above the door. To my amazement it read ‘Beauty Parlor’ well I have to confess I wanted to laugh, 'Dear God, call that a Beauty Parlor!'

 Well God has got a great sense of humor and He also has a sense of purpose because that night I had a vision. I saw that Beauty Parlor transformed, transformed into something quite bright and beautiful. A place where people could go for a chat and a treat, a place to give them a sense of worth, because having a sense of worth makes life worthwhile.

So getting back to my new years resolutions I think I will make that mine. I will try to make my life worthwhile and in some way however big or however small help others have a life worth living. 

I know this will require help.

So to start off my day I will pray,

Because God answers all prayers,

‘Father let your Kingdom come

Let your will be done

On Earth as it is In Heaven’

Yours Truly,

Julie

Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven’ by Julie Prentice.  Available on Amazon or email julie.jules2007@hotmail.co.uk for stockists.  

For more details of our mission see http://www.networknorwich.co.uk/Articles/338410/Network_Norwich_and_Norfolk/People/Norwich_s_big_hearted_Julie_helps_African.aspx

Answered Prayer

Don’t you just hate those days; you know where nothing really seems to work according to plan. I find them so annoying don’t you?

Today was no exception, after a pretty sleepless night Son knocked on the door to ask for a lift to work; his colleague was sick today. I grumbled as I looked out of the window, it was such thick fog outside and I was having people round for a writers meeting this morning, I had not even planned it yet! But you know what they say about the best made plans? Due to weather conditions that ended up not happening as people had so far to travel. But on the bright side that gave me a chance to catch up on all the washing and ironing. Since returning from our trip to South Africa the piles of laundry seem to be getting higher and higher!

After putting the washing in, I made some tea and listened to a favorite song. It is a special one as it reminds me of what led me to writing ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven.’ My little miracle as I like to call it. Well it’s true. I never thought it possible that I could ever do such a thing as write a book. I grinned, its amazing what you can do when you take a leap of faith!

I found myself singing along to the song, ‘in the evening I will fly you to the moon to the top right hand corner of the ceiling in my room, where we will stay until the sun shines.......chasing rainbows across the water.’

I found my mind wandering back to June 2007 (I remember the date as I had written about it in the book) to that wonderful vision, I call it a vision but it could have been a dream; anyway it had proved to be a life changing event for me. I remember I had had trouble sleeping that night too. But for different reasons back then. I had just received a reply to my letter sent to South Africa, saying that it would not be possible to meet my birth father. ‘As a mother’ the letter had read, ‘you must understand it would be too much of a shock for our daughter.’ As I lay in bed that night I had felt a tear trickle from the corner of my eye. ‘Why was I even bothered about this?’  I argued with myself. I had never met the man and anyway, I had a wonderful family. I sighed why did feelings have to get so complicated?

Then something quite remarkable happened. As I wiped the tear away I felt another spring out and then another, and another. Suddenly there were tears running all down my face but I wasn’t crying. I know it sounds strange but I could feel this soothing sensation. It was as if my tears were soothing me. It was then I felt someone wiping my tears away.

I looked up and gasped in recognition. ‘These are my tears and they will heal you,’ He said.

I felt they were caressing my whole face and it filled me with a sense of such love and peace.

‘Come child,’ He said to me, ‘Take my hand and walk with me, for you are my child. I will fill your heart with my love, and heal all your hurts.’

We walked only a few steps, and holding my hand we stepped up onto a steel platform. Like an elevator it went up and up. The darkness of my bedroom had long gone. Suddenly we were out in the bright sunshine. He raised His hand up towards the heavens.

‘Stand up and look,’ He said smiling at me, ‘look what I have for you.’ I looked up high into the sky. Above me was a line of liquid gold, it was stretched across the sky. Then before my eyes it ran down like a small waterfall in front of me, I was totally mesmerized, it was so beautiful. I really didn’t know what to say, I was so consumed by this feeling of love. So I simply thanked Him for His love and for all the good things He had given me. I thanked Him for my husband. ‘I have always thought of him as a gift from above,’ I said.

‘Ah yes, I gave you a good one there, didn’t I?’ He replied. I thanked Him for my two beautiful children, ‘They are such a blessing to me.’

I saw Him smile. ‘I know the plans I have for you’ He said, ‘I have also placed a sister for you.’ I knew immediately who she was. ‘Take care of her,’ He said.

He waved to me and smiling walked off ahead, but I knew he had not gone. His hand was in mine always. The next thing I knew I was sitting under a beautiful tree, the leaves were all around me, as the wind blew gently the leaves rustled. I heard them whisper, ‘Write write.’

‘Write, write,’ they whispered again.

I thought this is the tree of life. This is my chance to make my life worthwhile. The Lord is leading me to live my best life from now on. What a blessing! I was then reminded of a verse from a book I had been reading. It was as if the words suddenly flashed in front of me:-

‘And on either side of the river was there the tree of life………. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.’                                                                                              Revelation 22:2

Well this is now October 2012. I have just returned from a holiday in South Africa, and it had proved to be a life changing event. I had spent two glorious weeks meeting my sister and her family.

As I sat sipping my tea I re-read the card she had given me as we had parted at the airport.

‘To be able to call someone sister has changed my life.’ The rest of the message, as it is personal, I will keep to myself, but I have to confess it really touched my heart.

And while we are on the subject of the heart I would also like to confess another one of my prayers. It had been: 'I want to help change peoples lives. If everybody had a touch from Heaven what a much nicer place the world would be. I want to help people to be the best they can be.'

It had seemed such a big prayer back then, in 2007.

But here now in 2012, I know He heard me.

He helped me to do what was best and then He done the rest.

So I conclude my story with a prayer.

I pray for you who are reading this

I pray that you receive a touch from Heaven too.

Because one touch from Heaven is all it takes to change your life.

God answers all prayers.

Put the date down.

See what happens.

Who knows?

He knows.

Yours Truly

Julie.

Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven’ by Julie Prentice £8.99. Available on Amazon or email julie.jules2007@hotmail.co.uk for stockists. 

Every Good and Perfect Gift

I was having a bit of a read this morning, the writer finished with the words ‘Do not ask yourself what you want, but ask Me what I want. Desire the same things and you shall become like Me. And this to, is my highest desire for you.’

I smiled, it reminded me of when I was young, Mum and Dad would always laugh and say, Julie you want to do so many things, and before I knew it I had this nick name ‘Julie I want’ It has stuck with me ever since, even now when I start dreaming and planning Dad will roll his eyes and say ‘don’t you think your getting a bit old to be wanting to do that?’ I know he means well but I know my Heavenly Father sees me differently, lots of the dreams and desires I have must be God given because since I found my faith in 2005 I seem to attempt to have a go at a lot more things than I used to, (sometimes I even find myself asking why on earth am I doing this?) I think the answer comes from His word; ‘We are made in God’s image’ so from a heavenly view point the question I ponder today is what does God want of me?

As I cleared away the clutter I keep thinking to myself I really must pick up my pen and start writing again, but can I be honest with you, with everything that has been going on lately I am finding it so hard to actually get myself into that place where I can actually sit myself down and write something, what with the busyness of our last Beauty & Belief event finally over, I feel I just want to chill out and catch a breath but something keeps nudging me, you know like, something is tugging at my heart strings and can you believe it, it is as though I hear a whisper in my ear saying ‘have you forgotten your first love?’

 I frowned ‘forgotten my first love?’ What on earth does that mean? I really don’t understand. So I stopped, sat down and thought about it. As I sipped my tea I found my mind unraveling and before I knew it I was  wandering down that place, I am sure you know it well, I call it memory lane. I sighed, ‘memories’ it’s something we all have isn’t it? Whatever our age whatever our gender we all have memories, some are good, some are not so good and I have to confess thinking back over my own life some can be down right embarrassing!

But getting back to that word ‘first love’ now that I am forcing myself to think about this at school my favorite subject had been English, at the word school a sudden vision sprang to mind of my High School English Teacher, it is so vivid I can actually see myself back in that classroom, my teacher holding up my folder and commenting on my work. I remember going bright red at the time. It had been part of my GCE exam; I think the modern term for it is today is ‘course work.’ I smiled yes I suddenly remember my teacher asking if he could keep my course work. I had simply replied of course, I would be starting work soon. What need had I for that working in an insurance office? Anyway the enjoyment had been in putting everything together. I saw him smile and thank me and say he would use it as an example for his new students next term.

Why had I remembered that today?

It was then the phone rang so I was distracted for a while, but upon returning to my quest, I still did not have the answer. ‘Where is this all going, what is the point of this?’ I prayed.

As I re-read my words I find my eye drawn to the word ‘course.’  I had used it twice, once in regard to my work, (course work) and once in answer to a question (of course)

 I have to admit I had a bit of a giggle then as I remembered my teacher calling mum up the school because I had been adamant that I was going out to work. I needed to earn now, my school days were over, and besides it would have been a huge financial pressure on my family to send me to university. But bless her, Mum had seen my teacher and said I could go if I wanted to, they would manage it somehow.  Looking at Mums face I felt otherwise so I had stuck to my guns and said NO.

Why was I thinking of this? It had been so many years ago.

 It was then I heard that voice again, ‘do you regret it now?’ It probed.

I have to confess I hadn’t really thought about it. I guess I’m a person who likes to focus on what I have, not what I missed, what on earth is the point of that anyway? What a waste of time. I hate wasting time!

I gasped! I suddenly got the revelation, there was a point to all this. My Heavenly Father was pointing out that despite my decisions all those years ago whether right or wrong nobody could take away what was mine, my God given gifts. When we live in God’s will all will go well for us. He will always get us back on track- even if like me it takes nearly 40 years!

I felt all humble then, it made me realize how patient God is. But as I started to dwell on it my family sprang to mind. I smiled, I understood, if my life had gone any other way I might not have had them. That thought was unbearable; they make my life complete and whilst on the subject of family I am really excited as we will be jetting off to South Africa soon!

Yes with my hubby and children we will be visiting pastures new, plus meeting new family members too.

Life, treasure it.

 It is a gift from God

As it is written in James 1:17

‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights’

That means YOU and your life too.

 I sighed, I felt so heavenly

There is so much beauty in belief.

Yours Truly

Julie

 

Other inspirations can be read in ‘On Earth as it is in Heaven’ by Julie Prentice £8.99. Available at Amazon or email julie.jules2007@hotmail.co.uk for stockists.