Holding a stance of resistance requires way more of me than doing the thing I’m resisting. And the cost – my peace! “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT Photo … Continue reading The cost of resistance
The Gift of Interest: Why It Matters
“I’m part of an anthology book project called ‘What is love’”. “Oh cool! Hey, guess what happened to me last week?” The disinterest is familiar, but I don’t let it catch or my disappointment show. Instead, I ask, “What happened”? Since that conversation, I’ve been reflecting on interest. Being interested. Receiving interest. It feels sparse … Continue reading The Gift of Interest: Why It Matters
Two Ears, One Mouth
I have set myself a “conversation” goal for 2025. Ask more questions. Say less. It's too easy after a little bit of listening to think I have enough information to give you all the answers. When a conversation repeats, despite my (self-assessed) fabulous advice, that’s a sign. What’s needed this time, is not the same … Continue reading Two Ears, One Mouth
Pronunciation
I live in a multi-cultural city. You probably do too. I have enormous respect for anyone who can speak more than one language. Those that tell me their “English is not so good”, I look at them and marvel. “I can understand you clearly. You are much cleverer than me. I can only speak English.” … Continue reading Pronunciation
Holding on
An image came to mind . . . a child holding on to her parent's trouser leg. Not timidly because she was doubtful or unsure. Instead confident, in a way that said, ‘I can do anything because my Father is with me’. Anchoring to God is for our strength. Not because we are weak but … Continue reading Holding on
Acceptance
What happens when I stop trying to change the one, I love? What happens when I accept him just as he is? He’s not like me. He’s like him. And that’s how he’s supposed to be. Instead of covering him in expectations, what happens when I cover him in acceptance? Something tells me it will … Continue reading Acceptance
One Day at a time
Getting to be a Day might sound like a piece of cake but it’s not. People are always wanting more OUT of their Day, more FROM their Day, and what people don’t realise is the pressure to get more done in a day is very hard work on a Day. It’s exhausting. And sometimes the … Continue reading One Day at a time
Unique
Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash I started watching The Good Doctor on (Netflix). I love the main character Dr. Shaun Murphy and how he challenges “normal.” It starts with him arriving at a hospital as a surgical resident and having to prove that he has what it takes to do his job … Continue reading Unique
Non-action action
Letting someone be, is an action. An action of getting out of their way. An action of holding my tongue. An action of loving and accepting them as they are. An action of restraining my opinions and my “let me just say this one thing” piece of advice. Test this for yourself and you will … Continue reading Non-action action
“Doing” prayer
While prayerfully meditating on my control issues, these words came to me… To make peace the goal, not change. To see prayer as “doing” something. Useful. Peaceful. To prioritise prayer as the most important “doing” I can ever do. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive … Continue reading “Doing” prayer
distillations.blog 