History is made but God is behind the bigger picture.

I watched some of the inauguration with my children. Coincidently, we watched the one 4 years ago so maybe we are starting a tradition!! We got to the part after Barak Obama said his oath and then the girls went off to play. We didn't hear his speech or the somewhat controversial benediction.

My eldest girl loves history and I explained to her that we were watching history in the making. I was amazed to think that people in that crowd remember the days of segregation. They lived it and didn't just know about it through the pages of a history book. The same people were able to stand and watch an African-American man become President of the USA. That is amazing. I felt connected to people all over the world because of the Internet and there was a sense that I was joining in this momentous day.

My husband, a group of friends and myself are reading through the bible this year. A Challenge I suppose you would call it. They have set up a blog for comments and discussion. We have got to the part in Exodus where the Israelites have crossed the Red Sea and God has destroyed the Egyptians that were following them. What would you do in that circumstance? Well, Moses sang a song. And at this wonderful time in history when so much is riding on a man to turn a country around it was good to be reminded that our Saviour is God. 'The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my Salvation; He is my God, and I will praise HIm; my father's God, and I will exalt Him.' God has planned for this time in history to happen but Obama (or any world leader for that matter) cannot save us. Any authority a man has ultimately is from God Himself and it is wise for us to all remember that.

Christians and Schooling.

I had a thought the other day. Nothing really profound but something I wanted to put into words.

I love the stories of the Ragged Schools and why they were set up. I seem to remember doing a Musical about the start of them for one of our Sunday School productions many moons ago. As far as my memory tells me they were mostly set up by Christians. Schools have come a long way from the Ragged Schools. I no longer live in a country where schooling was only for the rich and am grateful that my children can get a decent education for free. (It is a whole other post about countries where children are still unable to be educated.)

Nowadays, it would appear that Christians are a large part of the Homeschooling community. I am well aware that much of the Education System has no reference of God. However, I do find a certain irony when thinking through this issue.

I think for the moment my children will remain educated in School. I truly believe God is a great big God and will protect them. My job as a parent is to equip them to face the world and the things in it.

The New Year

I have been experiencing some incredibly black dog days of late; a delayed reaction to moving from a place I was more settled in than I thought.

I have read things which put a different perspective on life, that have made me realise that I must climb out of the pit. I must be pro-active. I can't look back. I need to take my eyes off 'poor little old me' and place them on God and others. (Yes, the old Sunday School Maxim: Jesus Others Yourself.) If I truly believe we are in God's plan then I must seek to live for Him here. I am not an overly-mystical Christian: By that I mean I don't really believe in waiting around for God's will to magically drop from the sky into my lap. I have to get out there, try things and be prepared to fail.

So in this coming year I want to learn to drive, learn to body-board and get a job (voluntary or paid). When I first became a mummy I set myself realistic goals. I need to do that now. Not too small and not too large. I need to remind myself of the confidence that God gave me and take it back. And to know that it isn't any more godly to go around acting like Uriah Heep, or Eeyore for that matter.

A quote I love: "You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety" Abraham Maslow. I have to ask myself which way am I going to step?