Jeremiah 31:13
“Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together,
For I will turn their mourning into joy
And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
At the end of last month we had a meeting with Jean-Luc's (my 6 year-old son) teachers and supposedly it was to inform us about the mentoring plan they wanted to do with Jean-Luc. (On the same day we also had a parents' evening with Janick's (my 3 year-old son) teacher at another school 5-10min away.) But when we turned up for the meeting one of the teachers was kind and eager to find out the problems or triggers to Jean-Luc's behaviour while the other two teachers (whom I greatly respected) were not really keen to help and they had their faces empty of empathy but just want to get on with disposing of responsibility and putting all the blame on a 6 year-old child to change within a stipulated time frame. They did not want to talk about Jean-Luc's academics at all but target him just purely on his behaviour. The teachers even pushed me to quickly sign a form to give them consent to carry out whatever form of punishment necessary, that will tarnish his school record and reputation so a 6 year-old boy will face up to the consequences of his behaviour. This was exactly what the deputy headteacher said to us. One teacher who was there really wanted to mentor and help Jean-Luc but she was being outnumbered by the other two who didn't care anymore about the wellbeing of a child who was crying out for emotional support and empathy. Things happened so quickly and drastically that I said to the teachers, "Can I have the form and read it properly before I sign because I have parents' evening with my younger son's teacher at another school in 10min time? I really have to go." So they quickly made a photocopy for me and off I went with Jean-Luc to another school to meet with Janick's teacher. A sigh of relief and joy that Janick's teacher was really happy with Janick's progress in school and he's really enjoying school unlike Jean-Luc who didn't quite settle in and was unhappy with his school.
So that very evening my husband (who joined both meetings virtually) and I had a good look at the consent form from Jean-Luc's school hence we decided we had endured enough mental and emotional stress and torture from the school that left us with no choice but to withdraw Jean-Luc completely from his school. In fact we know this is the right thing to do as we have always wanted to homeschool him for sometime now and the school was fully aware but discouraged us from withdrawing him initially but we knew for sure it was the right thing to do and God allowed this trouble to happen so Jean-Luc can be taken out from a place of insecurity and trauma to a place of love, calmness and support enabling him to learn better and hopefully realise his potential. Jean-Luc even said to me that he wants to be homeschooled and he's happier now than ever. He is also very sociable and friendly, likes to talk to people that he meets when we go out for a walk or to the shop, etc. He loves dogs and can spend hours playing with them.
Months ago, while I was showering Jean-Luc, suddenly he told me, "Mummy, there are families with two fathers." Then a few weeks ago after Janick had done his poo and I had cleaned him, Jean-Luc walked in and said, "Mummy, do you have a willy?" I said, "Women or girls don't have willy." He said to me with his cheeky smile, "Women do have willy otherwise how do you wee." I then explained to him but he insisted and said some women do have willy. We are aware that gender and sexual diversity and diverse family units are being being taught in primary school right now since the children are five years old and so we are glad to be homeschooling him for now.
If Jean-Luc hadn't been in trouble in school my husband and I would have had enrolled his younger brother Janick into the same school. We would have missed out on the opportunity of placing Janick in a better school elsewhere whose headteacher, deputy headteachers and teachers always have time to provide the pastoral care to talk to both parents and students with joy, care, love and mutual respect and most importantly teach them Christian values. Jean-Luc has been on Janick's school waiting list for more than a year now as there's no vacancy for him at the moment. So we shall see how the Lord leads henceforth.
We are grateful to God how he turned our troubles into blessings like what happened just few weeks ago when Jean-Luc accidentally pushed and misaligned our kitchen drawer that we had to remove everything from the drawer and give it a good cleaning and tidy up then I discovered I already had a new cake slicer and a pair of kitchen scissors I bought some time ago among other things. If the accident hadn't happened I wouldn't have made the discovery nor tidy up the drawer.
Also recently Jean-Luc accidentally flipped his brother's magnets' alphabet box over scattered the letters everywhere so that we finally found his missing eraser.
Thinking back about the lockdown due to Covid-19, many of us couldn't go to work and had to work from home. Also children had to be homeschooled. During that time many parents struggled with homeschooling but praise be to God that's the turning point for Jean-Luc especially from being someone who couldn't read and write to being able to read and write at the age of three years old. It builds our confidence as parents to homeschool him as we had done it before during lockdown that he was awarded Star Worker of the week twice (once during lockdown and another when he returned to school shortly after) so we have the confidence to educate him at home this time.
So whatever troubles we face and are going through right now do know as a child of God we can never be defeated but it's going to become a blessing to us for a story to tell of God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 13:6). Like Mary who was chosen to give birth to baby Jesus when she was still a virgin betrothed to be married to Joseph, she was willing to go through the trying times because she knew God has better plan in store for her and all of us that the Child to be born would bring blessing and eternal salvation to a darkened world (Luke 1:26-38). Like Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers and sold to be a slave in Egypt but by God's favour and gift of interpretation of dreams he became the second most powerful man in Egypt to manage the seven years of fruitful harvest so he could also provide for his family back home during the seven difficult years of severe famine.
Always remember God can turn our troubles into blessings.
Luke 1:37
37 For no word from God will ever fail.
Here are Jean-Luc's photos showing him using stickle bricks to make fancy glasses and magnifying glass cum body scanner among other things that he did all by himself:
Sunday, 28 August 2022
God Answers One Way Or Another
By Josephine Lim Weston
I have seen how God has been faithful answering Jean-Luc's prayers even though his character is not altogether. We have been called to meet with his deputy head teacher when he was in nursery 3 years ago and when he was in primary year 1 we have met up with his headteacher twice because of his behaviour in class and school. He is actually very intelligent, sharp and observant but he has a short attention span especially when doing school work/home work preferring instead to have fun and be cheeky. He sometimes hides the truth but by the wisdom of God I knew he wasn't telling me the whole truth. Jean-Luc is far from perfect but he has compassion and enjoys the company of older people and animals. He will take time talking to people he meets whenever we are outside or whenever people come to visit, he will stroke and pat dogs that he sees tenderly and gently. Teaching and looking after Jean-Luc is not an easy feat as I need God's bountiful grace, wisdom, patience and strength. It's a great test to our patience and our character dealing with Jean-Luc but Jesus loves Jean-Luc and we have seen how blessed he is that what he prayed for or what he lost God answered and blessed him with much more.
Since Jean-Luc was born I have been bringing him out to join activities at the children centre and to the playground until he started nursery school. My children are very active and enjoy the outdoors. Whenever we are out Jean-Luc loves to hunt for coins and toys as you'll be surprised by what he can find. He would pray sometimes that he would find toys and coins and true enough he would find some whenever he's out playing. I called him the toy rescuer. Any toys whether broken or not he wants, not that he doesn't have toys, our house is full of toys but he likes and appreciates toys. His favourite animated cartoon is Toy Story.
During the past months we have found a school girl's cardigan and found a school boy's new pair of trousers. I managed to trace the owners and handed them back to their respective owners one way or another even though one of the items didn't have the name of the owner but by the wisdom of God I found the rightful owner and went to the person's house and gave it back and the mother and the boy were so grateful as they lost so many things in school over the years. A few months ago Jean-Luc lost his PE jacket as we have heard how many of his classmates and schoolmates lost theirs over the years. Anyway Jean-Luc and I prayed and his teachers also helped searching for it but nowhere to be found. So 2 days passed, we heard a knock on our door and it was our beloved neighbour MaryAnne, she handed us Jean-Luc's PE jacket as she saw his name written on the label inside the cardigan. We were so happy and forever grateful to our kind neighbour who took the initiative to take down the jacket from her son's class fence to check whose jacket it belongs to.
Two months ago, Jean-Luc who usually is quite careful with his belongings, this time lost his precious Armani Jeans cap because there was a heatwave and the school encouraged the children to wear caps during the summer months. We got the cap for free so we didn't put much thought into it until Jean-Luc lost it and his teachers and some parents thought that we shouldn't have let our children bring expensive things to school. I regretted letting Jean-Luc bring the cap to school although he chose the cap over other caps. So Jean-Luc and I prayed everyday that we would find the cap. Days passed and I've been looking through the school's lost and found property box but his cap wasn't there. A week has passed and all of a sudden on the following Thursday as he entered his class in the morning his beloved Armani Jeans cap was hung on his clothes peg even though his cap bore no label with Jean-Luc's name but I believe God spoke to someone's heart as it was my prayer that God would speak to that someone to do the right thing to return the cap to its rightful owner.
Photos of Jean-Luc's PE jacket and Armani Jeans cap that were found:
Over the years God has been faithful to answer our prayers one way or another. End of May I lost my spare automatic car key while out on the morning walk with my family. We couldn't find it anywhere as it fell out from my pocket. We called a few companies to get a quote for a new spare key and they were so expensive and the cheapest quote was £150 for a replacement. What a coincident that on 1 April 2022 the UK government announced £150 council tax rebate where each household received a £150 cheque to help with rising cost of living and so since we still couldn't find my spare car key, my husband suggested using the council tax rebate to pay for the new key and so now it's paid for by the government. Praise the Lord!
When Jean-Luc was small he didn't like it whenever I sang worship songs or Sunday school songs until Janick came along. We continue to worship and sing Sunday school songs because Janick enjoys it and sing along with me all the time that Jean-Luc now able to sing with actions to his favourite Sunday school songs every night before bed time e.g. He's able, He's able, I've got peace like a river, It's B-i-b-l-e, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N, etc. Hallelujah, my prayer was answered!
If God can answer the prayers of a child who is still struggling with his behaviour, God is surely more than able to answer your answers. Do know that God answers our prayers not because we are good but because He is good and He said He shall surely answer our prayers one way or the other. Have the right perspective to see it the way God sees it and don't be disheartened if it doesn't happen the way you expect it as God assures us He shall answer us above and beyond what we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). For those who are praying for a house of their own, I have seen so many among my relatives and friends having the house they were hoping for after they got their finances in order and kept on looking for the house and after months or a few years of looking they finally found it. Nothing is impossible with God and how much more if God is for you. Be patient and see the deliverance of our Lord.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work
Divine Orchestration - Our Steps Are Guided By The Lord
By Josephine Lim Weston
Just yesterday I decided to bring my children to the playground then go to the shop. Whilst at the playground I saw a poster of a missing cat. I had a quick glance and continued supervising my children playing with other children while waiting for my husband to join us after his park run. I waited for my husband to arrive and at the same time I wanted my children to finish playing so we could all go to the shop but they had such a good time playing that they were unfazed with time. Once my husband arrived, Jean-Luc (my eldest son) still wanted to play with his new found friends so my husband looked after him while I proceeded to the shop with Janick (my youngest son). So half way on the journey I met a former church member who had just come down from the bus at a bus stop and we saw each other at the same time. She was waiting and smiling at me holding her luggage. I recognised her straightaway and commented how glorious and beautiful she looked. I asked her whether she had just arrived back from her holiday and she said yes - Portugal. We were so happy to see each other again even though it was a brief catch up.
After my first shopping I was on my way to the next, while walking there I met a neighbour who was distributing leaflets and I said "hi" to him and then I saw on the leaflet his face there as a church pastor and speaker. I was so happy for him and he was very happy to see me too and he took time to talk to me about his upcoming events and encouraged me to join their church service and event. So now I know I have a neighbour who is a pastor and am always happy to see more people knowing Jesus and having more people praying for our neighbourhood, nation, etc. Praise the Lord we have good neighbours around us who help look after one another.
While I was at the second shop I found promotion of an item and what a bargain that not many boxes were left but I was able to find 2 boxes of 30 fish fingers for £8 instead of another offer of 2 boxes of 26 fish fingers for £8 with the same brand. God is good! So after my shopping, I proceeded home and walked past the same playground that my kids were playing earlier. Suddenly a swift, bouncy, scruffy-looking black and white persian cat with piercing orange eyes came out from the bushes looking at me and kept looking. It suddenly dawned on me that that cat could possibly be the missing cat on the poster under the bridge at the playground. I quickly took out my phone and take a picture of her then proceeded back to the playground where the poster was to double check and voila the cat looked very much like the one on the poster so I called the owner Tom and asked him whether his cat is still missing and he said yes and I gave him the exact location of the cat I just saw. I sent Tom the photos of the cat and the exact location I last saw it appeared. Hours passed and the owner Tom thanked me for reuniting him with his cat. He found his cat exactly at the place based on the photos and he and his partner came to our house this morning and presented me with a thank you card, 2 lollies for the children and cash reward.
Photos of the found cat and my thank you card:<
Wow what a divine orchestration! I have never thought that someday I would help someone to reunite with their beloved pet. I was surprised too to find out that one of my neighbours is a pastor of a church. So glad to see the joyful and glorious face of a former church member waiting to greet me. What a day! I can see God's hands and guidance in every step I make and everywhere I go. I know it's all divinely orchestrated.
I remember how God brought us four best friends together in 2007 onwards when I first arrived in Britain with my brother. By obeying an altar call that led me to meet with two friends that became my best friends and as a result one thing led to another that God sent someone to the table I was sitting while waiting for a friend to arrive at Pastor Joseph Prince's Hillsong conference in 2009 that she too eventually became my best friend and as a result of that three of us went on a biblical tour together to Egypt, Israel and Jordan in 2010 that marked the beginning of several other holidays we went on together until two of us got married in 2013 and 2014 respectively and have children. We still keep in touch and are very close and supportive to each other even to this day although sadly one had parted ways from us due to personal reasons but we are upholding her in prayer. Friends are so precious and the best friend of all we could possibly have is Jesus as He is always and forever will be with us, never will he leave us nor forsake us. He is with us in good times and in bad times.
People we meet, jobs and positions we have, places we go, schools our children are attending (although we are praying that Jean-Luc will get into another school that we have put his name on the waiting list for), the church we are attending, where we live and the country we are living in, the children and parents and relatives we have and are assigned to by birth - whether they are regarded good or bad - God has his purposes and reasons for us all. He sees it all and holds our future securely in His hands. If we recognise that our steps are guided by the Lord then we know even in the midst of trials, we are an overcomer in our thoughts and actions to be a peacemaker, be wise, sensible, kind, compassionate, to intercede and pray, help, love and guide, etc those God placed in our lives
Time is in God's hands - whether you are stuck in a traffic jam or you are late or too early or just at the right place at the right time are all divinely orchestrated. So don't panic or agitate no matter what, be still and know that He is God. Learn to flow in the rhythm of God's grace. Whatever that comes up, do what is the best and if opportunity arises use it to encourage, help and bless others without expecting reward.
God bless you all! Don't be troubled nor be disheartened. Whatever you face right now it will be useful for you in future. Persevere and give the best in everything that you have been entrusted with and God is there to guide your step as you keep honouring Him and being yourself. Have the right perspective in life too.
So let us not complain nor talk negatively about something or someone as God said to me a few days ago when I was complaining to him about the pain in my arms. He said to me that having bad thoughts or still being a bit angry at someone is still not forgiveness. I thought so long as I don't do bad things back at that someone or I already said I have forgiven that person in my heart that's forgiven on my part; but in fact so long as you still harbour resentment and anger and have negative thoughts of that person that means you have not forgiven that someone. So from now onwards I have to be careful with my thoughts and tongue. Choose to pray and trust God to turn things around. Bless and not curse. Entrust all to God and let Him handle it for us. We rest in the confidence of His ultimate capable hands and divine orchestration.
Numbers 23:19
19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? 20 I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.
Having The Right Perspective In Life
By Josephine Lim Weston
Last night my eldest son Jean-Luc shared with me regarding his conversation with his grandma. "I asked grandma whether she wants to go to heaven, but she said no," said Jean-Luc. "I don't want to go to heaven without grandma and Uncle David. I want to go to heaven with daddy, mummy, Janick, grandma and Uncle David."
So I asked him, "Do you know why grandma said she doesn't want to go to heaven? It's because she wants to see you longer as she misses you. We can't go to heaven yet, not yet as there are still lots of people who need to know Jesus so we are to shine and to help and love others so they can see Jesus through us."
This conversation about heaven with my son enlightened me and brought into perspective what is most relevant and important in life. It's not about how good academically my children need to achieve or whether the school is good or the teachers are good at teaching them the right spelling etc, but our life on this earth is to shine and live for Christ. To be kind, loving and living harmoniously with one another is more important than success, achievement, fame or fortune.
Although Jean-Luc can read and calculate very well, he did tell us recently he doesn't like studying so as parents we know what his interests are and what he would like to become and we will try to encourage him towards his career path rather than necessarily a university career. Who knows he might change. So we shall see. We surrender him and his life to the Lord. Most importantly he knows Jesus.
It brings comfort to my heart when a friend of mine whose youngest son is also Jean-Luc's classmate walked past our house 2 days ago and asked whether I am well. I told her about Jean-Luc and got a bit emotional because of all the struggles I faced and having to discipline him. She said to me, "Do it all prayerfully, sis. It will work out. It will be well. Don't worry."
The thought of knowing that currently our children's teachers in school are teaching them wrong spellings because the teachers are emphasising so much on phonics and so accepting the wrong spellings given or written by their students. Also the thought that teachers are taking a more relaxed approach that if the student is not wanting to participate in class or show no interest to complete their work the teachers will not try to enforce it or impose on them like our teachers used to be many years ago. Instead they choose to mark them down on their report card just because they do not want to provide the much needed one-to-one support that some children need or spare just a few more minutes of their time to be more supportive and kinder to their students, this has pressured us parents to not rely on the teachers to really teach our children well but we are to teach our children ourselves helping them to excel and be disciplined when it comes to school work. This is what we have been trying to instill on Jean-Luc but he doesn't really care.
So after the conversation with Jean-Luc about heaven and also with the words of encouragement from my friend it just brought everything to perspective that in life it is not so much about achieving excellence in education, career, etc but more importantly our children know God and love people. Jean-Luc always has time to talk to people, play and have fun. We as parents are the ones that have to hurry him to do this and that as he likes being dilly dally but when under pressure he can get ready in seconds.
One step at a time, one day at a time we are learning to embrace Jean-Luc the boy and man that God has destined him to become. Whatever it is, let us all learn to have the right perspective in life and not lose sight of what is most important and precious in life - not chasing money, fame or success but having the time for God and for people God has sent into our lives. Pray, uphold and encourage one another are more important than chasing anything else. God promised us that His grace is sufficient for us and He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10 That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Philippians 4:19-20
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen
Love and blessings to you all!
Photos of my children with their beloved grandma:
Jean-Luc presented a bouquet of flowers for grandma on her 80th birthday
Saturday, 25 June 2022
Be Conscious of God's Love For You and His Presence In Overcoming
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me
By Josephine Lim Weston
Yesterday I was prompted to tell my husband and remind him as he was getting ready for work that Jesus is with him when he's walking and is always with him in whatever he does and wherever he goes. Let's be conscious of God's presence with us and we will be able to overcome every challenge that comes our way. I will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 3:16) - the assurance given by our good good God.
Last month there was an Asian food promotion at our local supermarket and I bought a jar of kimchi amongst other foods. One day I decided I wanted to have some kimchi and so I reached for the newly bought kimchi jar. I tried many times with all my strength and including using some jar opening hacks and tricks to try to open the jar. I am usually able to open any glass jar myself, but this time - this kimchi jar is so tight that it's beyond me. My palm and thumb were aching and I decided enough of trying, maybe I should go back to the supermarket and get someone to open it for me. After 20 minutes or so I decided to try opening the jar again but this time I was prompted in my heart to say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and then I tried opening it and to my surprise it popped open just like that. The kimchi was so good that I bought a few more jars the following trip to the supermarket and I'm sure next time I'm going to pray and say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" before I open it. The same when I make pancakes or fried egg omelette, whenever I want to flip them over I would pray first and ask God to help me then I will flip the pancake or egg omelette and they would flip and turn out nicely. Those times that I depended on my own strength and didn't pray, the pancake or egg omelette would likely break or fall out of the pan when I flipped them over. So lessons learnt - pray and usher in God's presence into all that I do and difficult things are made easy.
A month ago my eldest son Jean-Luc asked me to fix one of his (dinosaur) pterosaurs which he and his brother Janick took turns to break every time after I fixed it. I gave up fixing it anymore until they have grown up a bit. But determined Jean-Luc was not going to give up on his precious pterosaur with a broken neck and kept on asking me to fix it for him. I didn't want to as I was so disappointed that all my efforts thus far went down the drain as they would likely break it again. Jean-Luc of course assured me again and again that he would not break it anymore and would take good care of it and even would protect it from Janick. Of course with his constant pleading I said I would try to fix it after they have all gone to bed but I can't promise I can fix it permanently or strong enough that it would never break again. Jean-Luc was so happy that I'm going to fix it. So I prayed when they had all gone to bed, asked God for the ultimate brilliant fix that the head will never get broken again as I had tried using UHU, all types of superglue plus sticky tapes, even with wire and cable to secure the head in place, etc but the kids still manage to pull the head off. Once I had prayed, I went with the flow of ideas as God guided me along (I truly felt him leading me during this time of fixing) and voila - this time the head of this pterosaur stayed in place for a month or more now for the very first time! Well "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".
At the beginning of this month during Jean-Luc's final days of his school holiday, we decided to bring our children to a trampoline park and when we're there, Jean-Luc saw the Emirates cable car and asked us to bring him there. So after his trampoline fun, we proceeded to the Emirates cable car and joined the queue for the tickets and it was pretty expensive just for a short cable car ride, but my husband said we've got to go ahead with the purchase and so we did. While we were in the cable car and went higher Jean-Luc got afraid (which I had warned him prior to the ride that he might be afraid because of the height but he was so determined on getting on the cable car ride) and he went and hid himself under the seats. My husband also had some degree of fear of height but remained calm and a few moments later my second son Janick who is quite brave normally, cried suddenly and became restless but I sang to him his favourite Sunday school songs and some other songs to calm him down and he eventually calmed down and Jean-Luc too also emerged from his hiding and looked at the view as my husband told him about the interesting things he saw outside.
Once we had arrived on the other side and disembarked from the cable car we then realised we could have taken a train ride back home instead of the cable car. We could have saved some money just for a one way cable car ride but we have already bought the return tickets. So as I was contemplating about this, my heart was prompted - All things work together for good to those who love him. Never mind, let it go and just enjoy the journey. So after we explored and took some pictures on the other side, we proceeded to take the return ride on the cable car. Surprisingly this time around although Jean-Luc got a little bit afraid when the cable car continued to go higher than he could endure, my husband distracted him with interesting things he discovered out the window and that kept Jean-Luc from focusing on his fear but tried to locate what his father was pointing at. Janick too on this return ride he didn't cry at all and adapted so quickly overcame his fear of heights. It surprised me how adaptable children can be beyond our expectation in such a short frame of time. So even though sometimes we think certain decisions we made could have been better or we might have regretted some decision we made (as we weren't aware of better options available out there, etc), be Christ's love-conscious and knowing that He is with us through it all and "All things will still work out for our good to those who love Him."
So even if it might seem you have made a mistake, all things will still work out for your good. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us by being conscious of His constant presence with us and His unfailing love for us (even though we might think we fail Him time and time again) but, like a true loving gracious father, He wants us back in His gracious arms of love again and again keeping no record of our wrongs or incompetencies. All God wants is that we know and we know and we know deep inside our hearts that He loves us more than we could possibly comprehend and imagine and He is always there to help us and lift us up when we call because His love for us never fails.
Mark 9:23
Jesus said to him, “If you are able to believe, everything is possible to the one who believes.”
James 1:5-6
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
Monday, 25 April 2022
Just Worship (The Lord) Especially In Your Lowest Valley
By Josephine Lim Weston
A few weeks ago, I was feeling deflated and there were no words left in me to even pray, holding my second son in my arms as he drank water while getting ready for bed, I decided to just worship the Lord. I worshipped the Lord with Sunday School songs. I sing to my children, especially to my second child, Sunday school songs before tucking him in to bed every night so he is familiar with the songs and hopefully he will eventually sing them becoming his encouragement songs and reminder of God's love and faithfulness to us.
As I was worshipping the Lord in my "lowest valley", I felt a burden lifted off me and I was instantly encouraged knowing that God takes care of all that concerned me even before I utter a word. All I need to do is to worship and praise Him for He is good. Personally I find with all the praise and worship songs that we sing in church nowadays, Sunday school songs hit a note in my heart and spirit the most with the simplicity of lyrics and catchy easy tunes to remember and have been my constant reminder of God in my life. My all-time favourites are Jesus loves me this I know, God is so good, Isn't He Wonderful, My God is so big, He's Able He's Able, Jesus loves the little children, Great and Mighty is the Lord our God, This is the day - and many more.
Initially my eldest son was quite embarrassed and told me to stop singing Sunday school songs whenever I walked with him to school or anywhere, but for several months now he has got used to it and I've been singing his favourite Sunday school songs to him especially He's Able He's Able as we both walked to school. God impressed on my heart few months ago (when we're dealing with his behaviour both at school and at home) that I should keep talking to Him about Jesus and what He has done for us and to keep singing Sunday school songs to him so as to open his spiritual ears to listen more and be obedient.
We must realise that not only us but our children too seem to feel that there's a spirit of opposition or resentment towards God all around us and so intuitively they become shy, embarrassed and retreated in professing their faith so the more we should continue to show them the relevance of our Abba Daddy God and Jesus in our daily life. He is the one we go to in our troubles and needs. Whenever my eldest son can't do something and gets frustrated, I always remind him to pray and ask God for help and ideas and he will pray straightaway in his heart and calm down and try doing it again. Whenever he's unwell or hurt, he would come to me and ask me to pray for him but I've been reminding him to pray himself as our Abba Daddy God loves him and answers all his prayers too so he has been praying on his own morning and night. My husband and I used to pray for my eldest son when he woke up and before going to bed but a few months ago, after his behaviour in school deteriorated, God impressed on my heart that change comes through our prayer and we must pray ourselves to God and that's when our relationship with God begins. The more we pray the more we are transformed into the likeness of Christ. So Jean-Luc has been praying to Abba Daddy God ever since and his behaviour is gradually improving, still needs improvement but overall his teacher informed us that he has improved and he has come off the school report system and now what he needs is to listen and follow what teachers ask him to do.
Whenever we are discouraged and when words fail us, let us worship our Lord instead and be reminded again and again of God's faithfulness in our lives. He is faithful to carry us through in every situation in life, our part is to just keep trusting in Him regardless of how big the oppositions are. Keep on worshipping the Lord and let your burdens be lifted off you for our God is good.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Ephesians 5
19 speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Links to some Sunday school songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TIZ4ibzG7A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-6Qzmx_8-c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVPpCoqSPEA
Moulding In The Silence
In Everything, Do It Not Because You Have To But Because It's The Right Thing To Do
By Josephine Lim Weston
I'm aware that some of you are wondering how Josephine is getting on. No news or monthly email of encouragement from her. Well - "moulding in the silence". During this period of quietness God is moulding me personally so I am more equipped for service.
I've been particularly challenged and encouraged by the books of Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians in recent months. Do bear in mind that we can't grow in our spiritual walk with God without studying God's word daily and praying. We can serve God all we want and keep ourselves busy with all the church and community services we do but if we don't take care of our own spiritual growth making sure we are being fed with God's word and taking time to pray it's just a matter of time we will be exhausted running on empty spiritual tank. In time we will eventually burn up, defeated and depressed. Like a car that needs to have fuel in its tank so is studying and meditating on God's word and prayer in our lives. I do not want to be pressured into producing a blog article just because it is supposed to be a monthly email and that "no matter what I should still share and encourage others" while I'm in the process of discovering and being challenged to be transformed. I would rather wait and when I'm sure and ready then I will share so it will be beneficial to you all.
In recent months it has been quite tough and challenging dealing with our eldest son and his behaviour especially. We have done all that we know how to try to change his behaviour but of course we didn't see immediate results but instead being invited to meet with his class teachers and headteacher twice, once at the end of last year and another time at the beginning of this year. Because of his disruptive behaviour in school, even though he's a smart boy - his reading, spelling and counting equivalent to a 7-year old stage (although he's only 5) he failed to show that in school and affected him academically all because he didn't want to do what teachers asked him to or only after much persuasion including other behavioural issues as well.
We as parents did our own research to find out what's the best way to manage our eldest son and being in constant communication with his teachers so we can all better understand and support him to change for the better. We have also realised that if we are being polite and nice to him, he would not listen until we put an urgent tone to our voice by raising our voice only then he would listen but disgruntledly. We eventually came to the conclusion that we can't expect change to happen in a short period of time, we just have to do what is right and keep doing it and change will happen eventually.
So every morning Jean-Luc continues to recite the Lord's Prayer, reads from his memory verse book, prays to Abba Daddy God himself and does his Sunday school memory verse. Every night before going to bed, he reads the Bible himself, prays to Abba Daddy God and afterward we pray a prayer of blessing over him. We also partake of the Holy Communion and apply anointing oil together and speak blessings over each other. During our walk to and back from school, I try not to scold him or remind him "not to do this and that" but try to be more positive and sing Sunday school songs to him and say to him as Jesus is (kind, loving, generous, forgiving, respectful, wise, etc) so are you and that he is a blessing and joy everywhere he goes. We also continue to home-school him (after school) to get him used to or be in the rhythm of writing, spelling, following through instructions and being more disciplined, etc. We also take time to listen to him and talk to him, etc.
During this time of moulding from the Lord the scripture passages below struck a chord in my heart to change as well and I meditated on the chapters and passages for days before I proceeded to the next chapter so that it sinks into my heart and spirit:
Ephesians 4:2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
Philippians 4
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Although all that we did with Jean-Luc did not garner immediate or swift transformation in him, we persisted and kept on doing what we know is right. As we expect Jean-Luc to change we (his parents) too must change with the words and tone we use as we speak to him and by our actions. We have just got to keep trusting God that changing someone is not our job but only God can change a person. Our part is to love people and leave the miracles and wonders for God to perform.
1 Samuel 15:22
Samuel said, “Does the Lord have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than a sacrifice, and to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
Proverbs 21
2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3 To do what is right and just is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
We also make sure even during those days that we are hard pressed in time to get ready for school or for bed that Jean-Luc still does what is right to do - praying and reading God's word because what we invested in the kingdom of God be it time, energy or finances God will make sure He gives us back much more.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Psalm 34:10
The young lions do without and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.
Praise be to God that recently during our meeting with Jean-Luc's teacher, she informed us that his behaviour in general has improved and he's off report! He now needs to improve on his listening and following through on teachers' instructions.
Yesterday after I showered for Jean-Luc and helped him put on his clothes, he said to me, “Mummy, wait. I saw something on your hair. Let me see, let me help you take it off. You turn this way.” I thought there was some dust or dirt on my hair. Instead he pulled off something from my hair. It’s the first time he did that for me without being taught or told. He pulled 3 strands of grey hair from my head by his own initiative. No denying all his teachers and friends know that Jean-Luc can be very helpful and he is sweet as they said. He just needs to listen and obey when told.
Jean-Luc stroking a horse and helped me made pancakes:
If we want to see change and improvement, we need to silence ourselves or go through a silent period (as long as we need to), allowing God to mould us. Don't let time or people be our God, let God be our real true God and those who trust in Him will not be put to shame.
Friday, 18 February 2022
If You Hold On To Hope, You Will Never Be Defeated And Closer to Victory Than You Think
By Josephine Lim Weston
Two weeks ago, my eldest son Jean-Luc wasn't feeling well. He had been saying he felt sick in the morning prior to school. I thought he was trying to give excuses so he could avoid attending school but on that Thursday, when I fetched him from school, his class teacher handed him to me and said he has been sick and he cannot attend school the next day. Thank God he recovered fast and wasn't sick when he came home but he felt tired and slept. Two days later (on Saturday) he completely recovered and attended the arts club but my husband and I came down with fever and body aches and lost appetite the next day (Sunday).
As a mother to two young children, no matter how sick you feel, you've got to "unsick" yourself. You can't use sick or not well to get rest and sleep. You still got to get going and recover fast for the sake of your children. My husband also wasn't feeling well so there was no way for me to be sick and I cannot be defeated by sickness. Who is going to look after our children? I have to be well enough for the sake of my family. From this experience, it makes me understand those who suffered from eating disorders, bulimia, etc. Because at the time I really didn't feel like eating and lost my appetite and I even read an article that coincidentally came to my news feed that we actually don't need to eat all the time as our body is fine without food. This is not helpful at all when your body needs nutrition to recover. So I said to myself if I don't eat I will very soon develop gastric and I might very soon need medication. So I kept myself busy as usual and tried to eat what I could to keep me going. I had no time to dwell on the thoughts that I'm not well as this is not an option for me at all. I am well and I have to be healthy for my family. Yes, praise the Lord! My husband and I have recovered if you are wondering.
The same with hope. If we lose hope and choose to give up, we are defeated already. But if we choose to hold on to hope no matter what, I can assure you are closer to victory and triumph than you think. If all of us were to live life with hope we would be less worried, less panicky and less anxious people.
This whole week my eldest son Jean-Luc is having a school holiday. He told me two days ago while out scootering that he wanted to play with dogs. In fact he wants a pet dog. He said he's not scared of dogs anymore but there were no dogs around for him to play with so I suggested to him to pray for God to send some dogs. He said he prayed already and so I said then you'll see dogs coming your way soon. If it's not today, tomorrow they will come. Soon a dog appeared ahead of him but because we all walked so slow Jean-Luc had to wait for us and missed the chance to play with someone's pet dog. Yesterday I brought my two sons for a walk in the park and guess what happened? My eldest son saw so many dogs and even got the chance to play with a very cute friendly dog. God is good. All we have to do is just to pray and trust that He will answer and He answers.
These photos were taken when Jean-Luc was about 2 to 3 years old as we didn't take the recent photos of him with the dogs he played with.
Many times, our mind complicates things and makes us doubt God, but if we choose to pray and then just trust and simply hope for it to happen, it shall surely happen in due time. All we have to do is just stop complicating things and doubting and questioning God how it's possible. All things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23) and all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
A few months ago, we finally got our renovation drawings approved by the authority but we had problems finding at least 3 builders to give us quotations for the renovation. My husband and I decided to pray and keep trusting God to send us the right builder that gives us a reasonable quotation for the extension. Some weeks ago we finally received 3 quotations from 3 builders after months of waiting and we have finally chosen one of them to be our builder. Now we just have to continue hoping and trusting the Lord to bless the builders and the building works that all goes well better than we could possibly imagine and stop doubting.
The easiest thing to do in life when we encounter problems is to give up hope and start complaining and feeling frustrated. But not us people of God who believe in a true and a living God. We know we can put our hope in God because we are a people of power, we are a people of praise. Triumph and victory have been promised to us as we hold on to our hope in God.
Psalm 16:8-9
8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope.
Acts 2
25 David says about Him: ‘I saw the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope,
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
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