The Colour of Love

So because our hope is set on what is yet to be seen, we patiently keep on waiting for its fulfillment. Romans 8:25 (TPT) David Enduring a season of waiting, has never been featured in anyone’s imaginative reel of future hopes and dreams. Though we are often reminded that God’s timing is perfectly purposed, the experience of waiting can feel draining and test your faith in unthinkable ways.   My wife and I had discussed our desire to move to a bigger city, long before we were even married. We had family and people we loved in our small town, but the restrictive, and sometimes hostile environment, was not the vision we had for our growing little tribe. We longed to expand our horizons and afford our children broader opportunities and life experiences.  After praying about our plans and submitting our hearts to God, we felt prompted to get the ball rolling. And so started an unexpectedly long season of waiting…. Since my wife had grown up in Durban, we thought this would be an ideal move

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”   John 15:5 David It is often said that marriage is most tested when a family grows. Blending, bending, curving and compromise can sometimes be painful and tiring. Laying down self-driven priorities for the benefit of the family unit may be our honest desire, but its not always easy…  Throw a baby into the mix and before you know it, destructive storm clouds roll in and how quickly we forget that having a family was the sweetest answer to our heart’s prayer. I have learned that marriage, and everything else, is at its hardest when our eyes stray from the source of truth that holds us accountable. This slippery slope sometimes creeps up so slowly and before we know it, we’ve made a blunder of things and can’t even fathom how we got there.  I am reminded of Paul’s solemn words in Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do,

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14  Deidre Every mama knows how overwhelming those first days and weeks with a new baby can be. The initial euphoria gives way to the grinding reality of newborn care and everything in your world now revolves around the needs of this tiny little bundle.  The idilic picture of a well put together, efficient mama I had imagined, was quickly replaced by messy hair, skipped showers, breastfeeding woes and sleepless nights. I longed for my own mom, to hear her voice, ask her what to do, complain or cry a little and above all, to thank her with full understanding and new appreciation for what it means to be Mom. No matter how exhausting it all may have been, the in between moments of quiet serenity, were absolute bliss. I’d often hold her in my arms long after she’d fallen asleep, soaking in her warmth and starring mesmerized at her sweet little face.  In those precious mome

You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:9-11 David   The most profoundly defining moments happen in the gentle stillness of a heart at complete peace. A revelation, a realization an awakening…, for me, has always come in the quiet surrender of a moment shared only between my heart and that of my Saviour. Enjoying the soft ambient glow in the hospital room, I stared down at the  sleeping little bundle in my arms. I studied her features and the way she twitched her eyebrows, wrinkled her nose and then pursed her lips into the perfect little pout. I ran my finger gently down her face and couldn’t help thinking that she was surely the most beautiful baby ever born.   Holding her now, I could not believe I had actually

  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.   Jeremiah29:11  Deidre  A gentle jab beneath the ribs interrupts my chain of thought and I pause my pen as my hand instinctively glides over my swollen belly. She had been particularly busy today and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face for the extra kick she offered at the sound of my voice. With our due date quickly approaching, I had so many thoughts flashing through my mind and I wanted to still the noise for a moment and put my heart down on paper. I wanted to write her a letter as I sat there on my bed, enjoying the feeling of her twists and twirls in time with love's drumbeat. The melody of my heart's song, that she knew so well, matching hers note for note.   I wan

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,   so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” Romans 15:5-6 David Our icy fingers lay entwined on my chest. The outlines of the room just starting to become visible in the whispered greeting of the new day. It was indeed a brand new day, unlike any other in my life so far. I gazed down at my wife who lay curled up like a little ball, snuggled into my side. A small frown creased her brow and I wondered what she was dreaming about. I had so many dreams for us, born of the seeds God had planted  in my heart all those months ago. I could not wait to see them grow as we built a life together. Our wedding night had not exactly gone to plan. The tiny wood cabin we had rented at the reception venue was on a lake and looked wonderfully romantic. It had been decorated with flowers and all sorts of sweet treats, set to