The Strangle.

 

There’s a strangle that takes hold of our hearts. A pressure that with each tightening squeeze causes all hope to diminish. A throttle that restricts life; stops the flow of all that is good and right and true.

 

And this world is the beast controlling the grip, the one applying the pressure. As if the grip takes on an audible voice that accuses, "you're not good enough", "you're an absolute mess", "just give up". The pressure, it restricts, it binds, it causes deep internal harm.

 

And we try to operate with our full agenda's, with our hearts in a vice and barely functioning. Each step we take, each task we strive to complete is met with exhaustion and no release of the clamp on our four-chambered soul.

 

And this half-dead functioning is not what our hearts were designed for. It's not it's default operating system. And we know this, but we're still strangled. And so we continue on and on, loosing our breath, just seconds away from cardiac arrest, until we draw in enough oxygen to cry out for help.

 

And then He comes. He comes charging, rushing forth in full battle mode with our hearts in His view. He reaches in and He releases the death-grip, He alleviates the worlds crush. With His nail scarred hands He massages the very life blood back into our vessels. With each beat it strengthens, it crimson glows, it courses and swells with life and health and truth. Our beat becomes His beat; we live and breath in one rhythm.

 

His voice whispers to us, "I am enough", "I'm making you beautiful", "Just let me".

 

And the strangle is gone.

Our Inspiring English Unit!

"Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, 
you can live your dreams".

For this term in English, my two eldest children (year 10 and year 7) are studying the novel 'Gifted Hands' by Ben Carson, M.D.

So that I could effectively help my kids with answering some of the questions if needed, I decided to read the novel for myself. I devoured it in two days, it was such an inspiring read!
His life story and the dedication of his mother, who was determined to have her sons believe the best in themselves, is powerful.

Ben Carson becomes a world-class pediatric neurosurgeon at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Growing up in poverty-stricken Detroit with his mother and elder brother, Curtis, Ben could have never dreamed of the future that lay ahead for him. When 9-year-old Ben's father abandons his family, his heart is broken with the hurt lasting a life-time... (read the rest here)

“By reading so much, my vocabulary automatically improved along with my comprehension.” 

I learnt a lot through this book, as a Christian, as an individual, but most of all, as a mother. I'm encouraged by the strong will and the sacrifices of Sonya Carson, and I could only pray that my influence on my childrens hearts, minds and lives will be anything close to hers on her boys! 

"My favorite subject was recess. Fortunately for me, I had a mother who believed I was smart."

If you've not read this book, I really encourage you to. 
It makes a great English unit for our children to learn the requirements of the English language, but even more than that, it implants a contagious zeal into their hearts to be the best they can be in whichever area they choose; to put God first, to treat others with respect, to use the gifts and talents God gave them for the benefit of others, and to keep on keeping on when things seem to be impossible.

“No knowledge is ever wasted.” 

I've found some links for you, in case you're wanting to use this book as a resource for your childrens learning, or just to read for yourself! For study guides, click here, here and here. You can purchase the book for yourself here, here, or here! Also, here is a link to FREE Ben Carson note booking pages and handwriting... love free stuff!

“God has an overall plan for people’s lives and the details get worked out along the way, even though we usually have no idea what’s going on.” 

I hope you and your children enjoy this biography as much as we have! 

What an inspiration Ben Carson is to so many! 
Praise God for his wonderful, life-saving, gifted hands!




(Linking up with this blog here!)

Heart Stories: Among The Growth

She feels the damp in the cool, gritty earth as it slips its way through her fingers like flour through a sieve. She loves this time, her senses are stirred, re-awakened as she tends to the bountiful growth. Her struggles and stresses sift through her fingers along with the fresh soil and she breathes in deeply. Everything is renewed. As she snips, and tills and waters, she is thinking; she is praising. Her mind is woven with her Creator as she works and co-creates. The warmth of the sun on her back soaks into her flesh and she feels the embrace of Him. It's the dirt, the life, the awareness of His presence. The vibrant colours, the fragrances,  the solitude, the simplicity. He is here. He is with her. She finds Him among the growth.

Heart Stories: Sufficient Grace

Her eyes were blurred slits when she heard the discomforting noise of siblings bickering in the kitchen. She wished for mornings that began in still, quiet peace. The clanging of dishes woke her fully and she drew in a deep, burdensome breath. Another day. She felt weak, unequipped, unfocused. How can she possibly complete all she needed to do in a day? It was all overwhelming her. The Bible verse on her iPhone app gave her a glimmer of hope. 

"My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in your weakness". 

It's not her strength, she remembered, but His. It's not her wisdom, but His. Not her joy, but His. Her soul felt renewed as her feet began daily tasks and her heart was thankful for His daily, moment-by-moment, sufficient grace.