That seat is taken

That seat is taken
Have you gone to sit down on a chair and suddenly you hear these words ‘ sorry that seat is taken’ clearly there was no one sitting on it otherwise you wouldn’t have made the attempt at all. Sometimes on the trains you actually sit down, either because you didn’t see the reserve sign or you were hoping the person wasn’t coming at all.  Suddenly before you realise there is somebody standing there with some sort of grin/ smile just looking at you with the words ‘ that seat is taken’.
It might just be me but i have come across that many times in life.

That job that you thought was definitely yours, that promotion that you have been preparing for, sometimes it feels like you were just warming the seat for someone to come and occupy. You are not quite sure what happened, did you miss the reserved sign or were you just keeping watch until the right person appeared? I have some very well meaning people in my life and recently when a seat suddenly wasn’t available anymore, there were all sorts of reaction and advice, someone even said you have to kick off. That sounded very tempting, I wanted to throw a big tantrum but upon reflection chose not to go that way. Firstly because it will not be a pretty sight and secondly because I believe there is a seat somewhere with my name on it reserved just for me.

You see where I come from, I have seen people carry their chairs from home to the school just so they can have an education. I have also seen the ones that have made a seat of the concrete floor, a piece of wood,  a brick, anything that has supported their tired legs in order to better themselves.
Do not worry when some opportunities elude you through no fault of yours. Keep trying, keep asking and if for a short time you have to make do with some uncomfortable tools as a chair, then do it with style. What you mustn’t do though is to become so used to the temporary position of insufficiency that you make it your destination. Don’t choose to sit on the floor when there is a chair available  with your name on it , reserved  just for you, don’t get use to being so disappointed that you stop expecting growth / better opportunities.
I am beginning to learn that we are stronger than we think and it is only in these circumstance that we catch a a glimpse of what is on the inside of us. If all opportunities are removed then me may have to create our own. After all, there are people are sitting in comfy chair but still have a bad back.
If that relationship hasn’t worked, cry, laugh scream , throw , do whatever you need to do to express your disappointment but let it be temporary, in a little bit dry your tears, square your shoulders, lift your head high and ask ‘ is this seat taken?’
For your consideration
Simplygyaps

A warm welcome

Welcome to my blog.

Iam  a  wife, mum of 3 kids, an employee, a fan of Christ inside out kinda girl.

Iam on a journey to explore what Iam made of, hopeful all the work that is happening on the inside will start showing on the outside.

My journey at the moment is like a building that has scaffolding all around it, outsiders really don’t know how it looks like untill all the scaffolding is removed.

Building sites are by nature messy and chaotic but all being equal the results is worth the process.

Come with me if you are on a journey yourself.

simplygyaps

Harmony

Just looking at this photo of my sisters remind me of the saying opposites attract.  I am purely saying this based on how they have combined the different shades of pink to almost complement each other’s dressing.

The other day, I was listening to a choir, and the harmony in the group gave me some chills 😊in a really good way. It suddenly occurred to me that when different parts combine well, a powerful force is created.

You see we can only appreciate others who are different from us when  we concentrate on their gifts/talents. 

Although they say opposite attracts, it can also pull apart,  the secret is how we see our  differences. It can become a dividing agenda when embellished in the shadow of fear.
It’s not harmonious when we are singing the same parts. Blending different parts is what makes it beautiful.

As we get ready to start another day/week, let’s not be quick to see our differences as a weakness.  Let us applaud one another for what they bring to the table, and let’s become a force in society.

For your consideration
Simplygyaps

Plot twist

Have you watched a movie or some series and been blown away by an unexpected twist in the plot? You had your mouth opened and stood up in your room due to how the story unfolded? I have, on many occasions. But there has been times too where you could predict exactly how the story is going to end right?

I was thinking of the intentionality of the writers on one such good plot twist when it occurred to me that these twists could be applied to our lives too. That we could rewrite how our story goes.

I was reminded of a scripture that encourages us to not just conform to what the world around us is expecting. If we take them to be the viewers of our movie then we can be intentional about twisting the plot by changing what we are writing. We can do this by thinking differently, by making small changes consistently.

For although the change in the story line appears random to us the viewers, it is anything but. There is intentionality behind every plot twist we enjoy or even despise 😊.

In the world of inside out, we are working on making these changes from within. Waking up five minutes earlier to plan or going back to school to upgrade ourselves. No matter how small or how big, we need the element of consistency to affect the change.

Whatever you are working on in this season, we say we see you. We are in this with you.

For your consideration

Simply.

Mummy can I tell you a question 😊

My daughter Kacy always gives me something to ponder on. Currently it’s these new phrases she comes up with. I know it won’t be long when society (including me) shape her to conform to using the CORRECT phrase. Until then though she is happy using her own created phrases.

One of these phrases is ‘mummy can I tell you a question’ 😊. She will usually whisper this ‘question’ in my ears implying this is a secret.  Somehow she has managed to combine asking a question and telling me a secret into one phrase. I find myself appreciating the freedom in this gesture,  her innocence in admitting that ‘I think I know something but I am not totally sure so can I tell it to you secretly?

This innocence of childhood will undoubtedly not last as she starts main stream education, and learn the rules of soceity. Hopefully we can help her enjoy this stage for as long as possible

I am reminded of another mother who hid her child for as long as she could from the evil world around her. Moses’ mum looked on him with love and decided to hide him from the then king Pharaoh so he could not be killed(destroyed)

We know society attacks them differently now, with discrimination and cruel labelling. Maybe we can hide them by preparing them to withstand the unkindness of others, by teaching them to see with love and hope.

Another of Kacys phrase is ‘mummy I did a mistake ‘ instead of I made a mistake. If you think about it ‘did a mistake’ has some flippancy to it whilst made a mistake sounds so serious and has some permancy to it.

When you ‘do’ a mistake it appears at least to kacy to be easily forgiven by others and yourself too.
Ah I love the world through the eyes of children😊  in a place where I can move on quickly from a mistake I did. After all doing a mistake shouldn’t really define me.

Maybe you are reading this and you are full of questions and not sure where to go or what to do. maybe this is to do with a mistake that you did or even still doing.

Well can I suggest that you borrow Kacys words and if possible tell someone this or these questions? Maybe you don’t have anyone you can think of, why don’t you try speaking to the creator of the universe about all your questions.

if you are a parent or care for children, then you can allow them the freedom to be themselves a little bit longer.
It could be that you are the person who needs to find your inner child and forgive yourself for doing a mistake.

Let me tell you a question’ ( kacys words) you are not your mistake.

for your consideration
Simplygyaps

PS :thank you Kacy and Melissa for the photo😊

Grandma’s Gifts

This is my 94 year old grandma, it’s clear from this photo I owe my round face and Cheeks to her😄. What is not obvious in this photo is her absolutely big heart for people. she is a natural gatherer of people and has fed and cared for many, in her life.

I see this same gift in my mother, I keep telling people ‘ my mum will always find a connection to everyone we meet. we are related to everyone somehow, including you reading this post😊. I would like to believe I inherited a bit of that gathering gift, although mine needs a lot of work. Lol.

As I reflect on my grandmother I am reminded of another young man in the bible called Timothy. He was so sincere and gracious but as life went on, society found a way to bring him down just as we see in the world today. He became discouraged and started doubting himself, like I do most of the time. There was however an older guy called Paul who decided to encourage him and to remind him of his lineage.

As you read this post I am also reminding you of how amazing and gifted you are. In the words of George Williams I want to say ‘ You are more, You can be more and You are never alone’.

Maybe you are reading this and thinking, I don’t think I got any gifts from my family, then maybe its time to write our own story. This is our time to pass something on the next generation.

In the current state of tall fences and mental breakdown, let’s speak health and wellbeing, let’s speak kindness and let’s build each other up with our words.
Join me to thank my grandma, and maybe you need to thank someone who threw you a lifeline .

For your consideration
Simplygyaps

Privately Crowned

As I reflect on the King’s Coronation this weekend. I am reminded of the many who have their own dreams still waiting on the sidelines.

There is the story of a young man called David who was crowned a King in secret but didn’t really become one publicly until many years later. For those of us in the monarchy system perhaps this is not such a hard thing to imagine. Our current king himself had to wait a while to ascend the throne, the only difference being that he enjoyed royal privileges all his life.

David in our story carried on with his normal life even after he was made a king in a private ceremony. He never enjoyed all the pomp and pageantry or the fanfare of the celebrity lifestyle. This however didn’t nullify his kinship and when the time was right he ascended the throne publicly.

There are a lot of people who are waiting for their own thrones. Whether that is in the theatres or in the classroom, on the streets of America or by the sea side in Africa. There are different dreams waiting to be manifested.

Sometimes the harshness of our reality may mask these but if we hold fast to them and stubbornly refuse to give them up, we will occupy our own space some day.

Just as an expectant woman carries herself with care from the first days she finds out she is carrying another within, so must you protect the dreams you carry. What a great time to remind ourselves of the image we have behind our closed eyes.

Today take a minute to pick your crown back up and place it firmly on your head. You may be privately crowned but be reminded your impact is far- reaching.

for your consideration
Simplygyaps

I am a mother

You may not find me in the cleanest of clothes. My living space maybe full of toys and clothes. I may not be perfect with my steps as I have some small steps walking beside me. I may not have all the answers but I promise to be always available. I am a mother.

I take my role seriously, I may not always get paid. The hours are long with fewer breaks but I love it anyway.  I am qualified to run any organisation after a full day with  the kids.  Like every other business if run well there’s profit and reward.
I am a mother.

I cannot do this well without abundance of compassion both to give and to receive.  You see me covered in food and other things from kneeling with them. Contribution to others comes naturally but never easy to myself. 
I am a mother.

This calling requires commitment at the top level.  Being devoted and attentive  are mandatory skills. Lessons are learnt everyday and no two days are the same. The days start early and end very late so help me Lord. I am a mother.

Simplygyaps

Slow but steady

Slow and steady ever win?

Is it just me or do other people sometimes question rhymes and kids stories? Maybe it’s just me but when you are no longer a child and lose some of the innocence and naivety of childhood, we start questioning somethings we may have accepted all along.

There are times when it appears slow and steady never really wins anything, When it looks like no matter how much the fast and sneaky sleeps he still wakes up and crosses the line first.

You prepare slowly for that promotion and it still slips you by, you keep yourself well and give the relationship your all but still didn’t get the ring😀.

Your strides appear shorter than others and no matter how many steps you take, you still feel so far away from the finished line.What do you do when you feel left behind in spite of giving it your best shot?

I am reminded of a biblical story where the guy decided to settle in his seat because everyone else seemed to have an advantage over him. He felt the other people used all they had that he lacked to push him aside, this made him give up trying to get what he set out to achieve in the first place.

I don’t know about you but I have been in many situations where the temptation to settle and give up looks more appealing than taking another short step. When trying again seems to take too much out of me, when I am tempted to look around me rather than ahead.

I am however encouraged today to think differently of this beloved childhood rhyme, what if I am not in a race with the fast and sneaky? What if I keep going and aim to get to the finished line anyway even if it’s 38 years later? ( ref the man at the pool). 

Another encouraging thought is if I am still here then there is hope, if I haven’t completely given up and still going no matter how slow, the hope is to get day one day. 

This week be encouraged if you feel disadvantaged by others due to their connections or cutting corners. Keep on keeping on, looking ahead and celebrating every one step you take.

Consistency forms lasting habits so although slow and steady may not win the race, they will get to the finished line.

For your consideration 

Simplygyaps.

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Let thy yes be yes

Yeah
You will think this should be straightforward but there seems to be many reasons this may go sideways quickly. Reflecting on this has taken me to look deeply Into my own actions. You see, there are times that I say yes with my mouth but my heart disagrees and this usually shows in the posture of my body. My face usually gives me away on what my heart and mind is saying rather than my mouth. Have you asked someone a favour and they felt obliged to say yes but if you read the subtext the answer is really a no?

Sometimes due to restrictions imposed by our surroundings we say yes when we don’t really agree but lack the confidence to say no. So to keep the peace we nod and smile whilst screaming inwardly.

Another scenario which may question my yes is when I lack the discipline to deliver what I said yes to in the first place. my friend Josie calls it overpromising and underdelivering, ouch. when I said yes I probably meant it but was perhaps naive to quantify the amount of work that will bring that Yes into a reality.

I am alway reminded of my conversation with a young lady many years ago. she had told me all the things she was going to do differently to change her lifestyle. A few months down the line she appeared to be doing the exact opposite so I reminded her of her pledge. Her answer sounded very familiar, she said’ I still want all those things but iam just not strong enough to achieve them’ . I find myself agreeing with her, but for those of us who are familiar with the writings of the Apostle Paul there is hope for us.

Lastly our yes is really yes when we give cheerfully, there’s nothing sadder than given so grudgingly or under compulsion. complaining bitterly about why we always are the ones who have to give, saying the words and then having a bad attitude towards the people we are helping. I think its best if we withhold the help, then our hearts and mouths will be saying the same thing.

There’s hope though, we can build ourselves up to be the people who say yes when we mean it. In certain situations where we need wisdom we can borrow my friend Nicky’s mantra of sowing seeds and having the patience to wait.

This week I pray that we can work on ourselves and start letting our yes be yes.
for your consideration

Simplygyaps

Who is your neighbour?

Merry Christmas to you all, as we reflect on the year, its goodness, challenges,  ups and lows,  I would indulge your mental input on the above question.😊

I know it appears a simple question which demands an equally simple answer however I am reminded of a conversation in the book of luke where this same question was discussed.  The very famous saying ‘the good samaritan’ was from the elaborate answer given to the question of who one’s neighbour is. You see it’s not just a geographical answer,  it even goes beyond people who look like us or share some common labels with us.

Have you ever been disappointed because you thought help was coming from a particular direction but it didn’t? have you been surprised at the direction that help eventually came from? Have you been pleasantly surprised and maybe felt guilty about how well you got on with some people that ‘ you shouldnt’ have?

Well it appears whoever shows us mercy or whoever we show some mercy in time of need is our neighbour.  They may not look like you or live anywhere near you. They may not even profess  to have the same faith as you but will kneel by you and help tend your wound.

So as you reflect on the year ask yourself if you have been a neighbour to anyone and be grateful to whoever has been a neighbour to you. (Refer to who a neighbour is above)

enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends.

For your consideration
Simplygyaps

Mouth wide shut

I don’t know about you but I usually reflect on my day and almost always conclude that I could have talked less. This is now even more so as I carry the word honesty in my heart. I have decided to try harder with being honest with myself first, and eventually with the people in my circle. One of the most challenging scriptures for me is in proverbs and it says in the multitude of words sin is not absent, ouch.

Sometimes I wonder why we feel the need to say something at all cost? Is it our need for acceptance, validation or control?

Is it the fear that we will become irrelevant? If there are people I admire, its those silent strong type, they don’t say much but when they speak it sounds profound 😊 I don’t mean the silent plotters or those who are quiet to hide their true intentions.

There is definitely a time for us to speak, to express our thoughts, especially if it makes the situation better for others. My issue is talking more than necessary. Talking to cause harm to another by our words. The fact that we have an opinion doesn’t mandate us to always give them. Hmm Lord help me to learn the strength being silent when necessary.

Thankfully I am still a work in progress that I know too well. This is me thinking out loud and hopefully you have your own one thing to work on this week.

For your consideration

Simplygyaps