Start Counting...

As long as you are always looking back at the way things used to be, you will never be able to appreciate the way things are now. This is not because what you used to have is any better than what you have now, but simply because your head is quite literally facing the wrong way. 
You cannot possibly see all you have in front of you, when your eyes are constantly averted over your shoulder.

Looking back kills gratitude.

Let Go.

Take a look around.

And start counting.

You will find your blessings gradually become un-countable. 

Where are you, Fellow Inhabitants of this Planet?

Living in the past…?

Or immersing yourself in the present…? 

If You Only Knew

Dear World,

Be careful how you treat those around you.
Take care how you speak to others.
Take care how you speak of others.
Choose your accusations wisely, if you must accuse at all.
May Grace be foremost in your mind;
Let compassion soften the blow of your words.
Listen.
Listen.
Listen.
And then speak, if you must speak at all.

What you see in those around you, you only see in part.
You do not know what lies beneath the surface.
Heartache is not visible to the un-discerning eye.
Stress is easily masked with a smile.
Her child might be sick, would you know?
He is lonely, would you know?
She is facing bankruptcy, would you know?
He is in grieving, would you know?
She is fighting depression, would you know?

If you only knew...
You might take care of how you use your words...
You might withhold your accusation...
You might act in Grace instead of judgment...
You might offer compassion instead of criticism...
You might listen...
You might listen... and decide not to speak at all.

But you don't know.
You should be mindful of your "not knowing".

~ "...For you will be treated as you treat others..." Matthew 7 ~

Your Friend in Love and Grace,
Kirsty Coetzee

You can find this article, and others like it, at Above The Flame. Check out the Above the Flame Facebook page HERE. 

Love Letters in the Sky

Sometimes life (or God, as I believe) throws you a moment, or an experience, or an encounter... that you wish would last forever, that you pray you will never forget, and that you hope will be repeated in some way in the future. Sadly, we miss those moments completely - we get too busy, we think too much, we're rushing through life.

I am learning to slow down, and keep my eyes open for moments, experiences and encounters like that. I tiptoe over wet grass and take in the cold prickle between my toes. I try to pay more attention to people that I meet, note the colour in their eyes, the sound of their voice. I hold onto feelings of joy, revel in those feelings, allowing myself to giggle childishly and take note of what it feels like to smile.

One thing that I’ve recently become obsessed with is the sky. I stop and look at the sky, and find myself unable to tear myself away. A dear friend of mine once told me that the sky is like a blank page on which God writes love letters, morning, day and night. After some weeks of gazing upward every day, I am starting to believe this too.

The Heavens declare the glory of God;

The skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth

(Psalm 19 vs 1 - 6)

I wanted to share some of my Father’s love letters with you – these are images taken with my phone, over the last two weeks. He hasn’t failed to take my breath away, not one day. He is so in love with me.

And with you – I just know it.

Slow down friend.  
Look around.
Breathe in.
Look up.
Take it all in.
Father’s Love is everywhere.
Everywhere!  

You can find this article, and others like it, at Above The Flame. Check out the Above the Flame Facebook page HERE.