Inspiration Station.

I can't believe the last time I sat to write was Easter. These past few weeks have flown by unusually quickly and I feel like I need to catch up a bit! I haven't neglected the writing due to lack of inspiration, quite the opposite actually! So much has changed lately that I feel a bit overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin. I suppose the biggest change is that I now feel settled in a new Church. I've already made some great friends and am enjoying getting stuck into life with those guys. I feel my heart shifting towards this new place, with this group of people and am excited about where the next few weeks might lead me. Check them out here. They are involved with lots of great community stuff, and this is the place where CAP (Christians Against Poverty) all began.

The main thing that has prompted me to write comes from a book I am reading at the moment. I was finally persuaded to pick it up as I was looking for something that was bound to inspire and stir me up. So far, it has passed that test as I knew it would, with flying colours! The book is called 'Undaunted' and is written by Christine Caine. After reading one of her previous books; 'Stop acting like a Christian and be one,' I fell in love with her honesty and uncompromising style. It's just so refreshing. I actually started reading Undaunted right before a shift at work and found even the first chapter left me heart broken and totally distracted all day.

You see, we all have dreams dont we? As i've said before, i'm a real daydreamer. I sit and think about when I will have my first youth work job, getting paid to do what I really love. Maybe i'll have my own office. Or then i'll be able to have my own home...full of trinkets and bedspreads (as I seem to have a weakness for bed linen.) Or marriage, family, future holidays or places I'd like to travel to. I know we all do it! Imagine if one day, somebody came to you and just offered you your dream. A fresh start, a new country, provision for your family, your dream job - but more than that - a HOPE that you didn't think would ever come to you. Imagine you are feeling hopeless, like you've given up, you're trapped, you'll never get out of this situation. In a dead end job, with little money, a house you hate or in a place you can't stand - and someone comes out of the blue to offer you a way out of that. How likely would it be that you would at least consider it? That glimmer of hope?

Say, you go for it. You trust that person. You move, ready to start your new adventure, a better life that secures a brighter future for you and your family - only to be trapped. It's not the place it was supposed to be. You were moved under false pretences, lied to, beaten, abused repeatedly. Trafficked. 

You may have guessed why this book left me distracted. This is the fate of so many people today. 27 million. Even as I write this, or as I continue to read the book this is happening. People are being SOLD. Trapped in shipping containers as if they are a product. Men, women and children. Forced into labour or the sex trade. Slavery is so REAL. It's happening right here, in my community, in my town, in my city and likely in yours too. This issue is bigger than ever before. We need to speak out! We need to educate, to spot the signs, to intervene, to rescue, to act, to pray, to speak out, to END IT. We musn't ignore it, or make it feel distant. This doesn't just happen in far away countries, poorer than ours.  You don't have to look far in the news to find it. These people; mothers, daughters, sisters, brothers, fathers - are being BOUGHT and SOLD. Human beings, just like you and I. We can no longer sit back  and pretend like this injustice isn't taking place day in, day out. Because it is!

I have blogged about the A21 Campaign before, and the author of this book is the freedom fighter behind this amazing Charity. Even if you aren't a Christian, I would recommend you read even just the first Chapter. It's actually on offer at $2.99/£2.99 as an E-book at the moment so now might be the time to snap it up. Christine writes with much more conviction than I do, but also has real life experiences in rescuing women from trafficking, which are heart breaking accounts - but a necessary read. There are also other great campaigns that speak out - The End It Movement, Restored For, Stop the Traffik, Hope for Justice, MTV Exit and Walk Free.

I think it's important that our hearts break for issues such as this, that we are moved to do something to eradicate it once and for all. Fundraise, talk about it, raise awareness, sign petitions - get involved. Freedom for all is something we must fight and keep on fighting for...

Much Love xxx

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'You Learn by Living' Part 2 - Fear.

Welcome to the second part of my series based on this lovely book. The topic of this blog is fear. A topic that, if you have read anything else on here (bar the recipes!) you will know appears often in my writing. When I saw that this book had a whole chapter devoted to this subject, I read it pretty eagerly. The more I read, the more I realise how much this inspirational woman achieved, and she did it with a wonderful humility.

Linking back to the first part of this series, the focus there was based on the concept of 'lifelong learning' i.e. we stand to learn something from every experience we have in life whether good, bad or ugly. (Had to get my second cowboy reference in there as yesterday I finally got to see 'Django Unchained,' and can't stop thinking about it.) This serves as a continuation from that.

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.'

So much of our lives is spent running away from things that truly scare us. Of course, it is easier to stay within that zone of comfort because it is scarier to step out of it. We can easily avoid dealing with things that we are afraid of; if we are scared of the dark, sleep with the light on. If we are scared of heights, avoid bridges and mountains. If we are afraid of roller-coasters, don't go to a theme park. Avoiding the problem doesn't make it go away, it just puts it to sleep for a little while until it crops up again. But why do we let ourselves live like this? We only truly find our courage when we face one fear, and realise that it wasn't as hard as we first thought - then we have strength to fight something the next time that is potentially more difficult.

'I haven't ever believed that anything supported by fear can stand against freedom from fear. Surely we cannot be so stupid as to let ourselves become shackled by senseless fears.' 

These fears might not only be in the league of 'spiders' and other such things. There are other fears. The ones that make us worry about what other people think of us. The way we look, dress, talk, where we work, the decisions that we make. I know recently I faced up to a decision I knew I had to make, but I was scared to on the basis of what others would think of it. I left a group of which I had been a part for many years. It wasn't easy to do, but I knew I had to - even if for a short time. This group happened to be a Church. I was worried about leaving because I knew people would question it, but the truth is - I just wasn't going for the right reasons anymore. I was going because that's what I did, I was expected to. But that's not why you go to Church. I miss them. But I sit here knowing it was the right decision because it has set me free. I was anxious about facing up to it, making excuses but in the end I had to bite the bullet, whether it confused people or not. 

'Since everybody is an individual, nobody can be you. You are unique. No-one can tell you how to use your time. It is yours. Your life is your own. You mould it. You make it. All anyone can do is to point out ways and means which have been helpful to others.'

If anything, my Faith has grown because it has given me space to realise that a lot of my 'wants' and 'dreams' were not based on what I truly wanted for my life, and what I thought was right for my life - moreover they had been based on what I had seen others do in their life and thought that was the obvious path for me. I know realise that isn't the truth. I need people around me who will encourage my strange and unconventional dreams and will support me at any cost to get there rather than shrink them to give me happiness now, rather than to wait a while longer. I'm getting quite good at waiting. 

'Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticising you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time, you just have to try harder the second time.'

We naturally think too hard, I am extremely guilty of that. I have a tendency to over-analyse but can often use that to work in my favour. At times, I just have to stop myself, and do what I need to do. When I withdrew from Facebook - it seemed like a crazy decision. I threw so much of my life on there, (as does everyone) I was 'friends' with people I barely saw and what would be a supposed ten minute flick through often turned to hours of getting sucked in to reading updates about other peoples lives. I can tell you now, I have not missed it one bit. I think we're all better off without it, and better with real, authentic friendships. People throw all-sorts of information on there based on insecurities and 'oh look at me.' I think we would be better off being truly honest with the people that are in front of us to help us face our fears; loneliness, abandonment, rejection, loss. Real fears that are there everyday, that control us and consume us. We are afraid to burden each other even though that is why we have friends in the first place - to share in the joys AND the sorrows. Those friends who truly love us, will endure through difficulties alongside us, because why wouldn't they?

'I learned to stare down each of my fears, conquer it, attain the hard earned courage to go on to the next. Only then was I really free.'

When we begin to look at our lives, at our fears and insecurities, as we open up to those whom we love and can trust - we find the strength to face up to them. It's a part of life that isn't nice and flowery, more likely painful - but it has to be worth it if it sets us free. I hope this has encouraged you!

Much Love xxx

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KEY2FREE

Today (October 18th) is Anti-Slavery day. The A21 Campaign (see previous post) are getting involved by hosting the 'KEY2FREE' event. The idea is, that everyone wears a key around their necks to mark a sign of freedom for those who are trapped in modern day slavery. I would imagine this will be quite a conversation starter! The A21 Campaign's online store sell official necklaces which wouldn't come in time for this event but will be great for everyday wear!

Here is mine:

I will be wearing this all day today in the hope that I can help raise awareness!

You can also get involved by doing these things:

- Watch this - for a better explanation of what this campaign is about.

- If you're a tweeter, tweet today using the hashtag #KEY2FREE

- If you're a fellow Instagram addict...post photos and use the same hashtag - #KEY2FREE

- Check out the Facebook event by following this link.

- Spread the word, talk to your friends/colleagues/family members about the campaign

- Think about what we can do to help others live in freedom

- Attend an event or host a last minute one! It can be in a coffee shop with some girlfriends or in your own living room!

- Look up some websites that will educate you on what you can do to help raise awareness of this issue.

We are the key to unlocking someone else's freedom...

Much Love xxx

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The Core.

Sorry I've been a bit quiet lately! I've just had yet another trip, which involved visiting my beloved Chester for the first time since I left it. It was such a wonderful yet overwhelming time which I have not yet had time to process as I've not stopped until right now. It felt so good to see the faces that once surrounded me every day which became absent for these past 16 or so weeks. It was also great to see the ones I didn't see so much as we all picked up where we left off. I got lots of time to catch up with familiar faces (one of which I hadn't seen in over a year) to come up to speed with what changes have occurred in our lives. I left feeling incredibly blessed, and thankful that those friendships still remain, whether I am there or not.

I read this excellent article yesterday which really got me thinking further about this. I'm in a similar situation to this woman, aside from the fact that I have returned home and am not in a new place with a husband. As I spoke to people back in Chester about 'what I am now doing with my life,' I began to become frustrated. I don't have a 'label' at the moment. I started to think that's all I need and then I'll be fine. I need to be able to say, 'Hi, I'm Sarah and I'm a _____________' youth worker, receptionist, administrator, student worker, support worker, teaching assistant etc. The more I have thought about what it is that I want to 'be,' the more confused I become. I feel like there are a lot of things that I could 'do' and love, especially when thinking about employment - you should see everything I have applied for, it varies quite substantially! But that doesn't make me who I am.

If people talk about me, I don't want them to just thinking 'oh yeah she was great at making spreadsheets' or 'she made great cupcakes,' (though I would of course appreciate that!) I want something more. As I've tried to reach the core of what I want, I realise it is this. I want people to say 'she was really good at loving.' The more I continue this journey with God, I realise how incredible He is at loving not just me - but His creation. I find it so overwhelming. That I, so insignificant could have been created by the same God that created things such as this:

You may not believe that, but I do with every fibre of my being. I believe I have seen God in my life and in others and I believe that He is the one who is responsible for all the amazing people I have in my life, both friends and family. All the incredible opportunities I have had so far, all of the laughter I have enjoyed, the strength I now have after going through trials and everything that awaits me in my future. I was brought to a place where I recognised that God was there so I seek to find Him in all my situations. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12-14

I believe that God works for the good of His children. I don't think all situations are good but if we change our mind set and see it from different eyes, I believe that gives us power to change our situations. I for one want to live in freedom, freedom to love and be myself - the person I was created to be. If that means being the one who says what everyone else is thinking then so be it. If that means that sometimes I'm accidentally a bit too honest then I will apologise. All I want to be is your true friend, and a person that loves you no matter what you do. I was forgiven, and you deserve the same. I was brought out of darkness into light and hurt in to love and you should have that too. That is what I want to 'be.' A job will come for me when the time is right but in the meantime, I have other things to be thinking about. How can I love you better?

Much Love xxx

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Lights, Camera, I'm too comfortable to act.

The concept of action has been very much on my mind lately. I think it follows recent thoughts and ramblings about life being too short and all that. Once the concept of living whilst you have life has sunk in, it's time to get moving. I think in life, some people are thinkers and some people are doers. But I think, you can in-fact be a bit of both. I know this, because I am. Sometimes I have a battle because I love thinking, I love daydreaming and reflecting and sitting. But then I began to think, who is this thinking helping? What use is this if I'm not going to do anything? As I am still waiting for employment, I have quite a bit of time on my hands. So, in between job applications and searches I thought I would do something useful. And it seems to have sparked a few other people to do the same. I could see this time as annoying, because I really want to be working (which I DO!) or I could see it as a blessing and use it whilst I have it.

Plans are in motion for various fundraisers, a new group at Church is starting for the young girls and I just went to our first bake club, which seems like it is going to expand to various other exciting things. What I would like to say is that if you really want to do something, then you may need to stop waiting and thinking and just get on with it! Sorry if that is a bit blunt, but if you don't move into action then it 'aint gonna happen on its own! Use the people around you, the community of which you are a part and start something up, set the wheels in motion and see where it goes. 

I spoke at Church on Sunday about Faith. Sometimes things take Faith. Sometimes, things take a little Faith and sometimes, thinks take a great big fat dollop of Faith. But they all have to start somewhere - and how are we to know where it goes, if we never let it begin? We need the right people around us who will say 'I will help you do that' or on the contrary they may say 'that is a completely ridiculous idea,' both of these are helpful and at times necessary. If you are to lead a project, you need to have vision. You need to be enthusiastic, as this will motivate the people around you. You need to know your facts. You need to be committed to see your idea through and you may need to be prepared for it to go beyond your wildest dreams. It takes a bit of Faith, whatever it is - to step out of the boat. If you try something out and it doesn't work - Oh Well! (See my earlier post for further thoughts on this!) Try it a different way, or at a different time, in a different place, with different people. Don't be afraid or overwhelmed, for we never know what may happen unless we try! Don't get caught up in watching other people do stuff, wishing you could do the same because you can. 

I think my new life's motto is this: GO FOR IT.

Much Love xxx

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'Oh well's' vs. 'What ifs?'

This week I read a really good tweet that reflects my new outlook on life. The title sort of gives it away but the full tweet was "I would rather live a life of "oh well's" than a life of "what if's." It was by a singer who supported the loves of my life aka. Hanson in their last tour of the UK. (follow her here) 

A few major things have happened this year with people close to me that have genuinely changed my life. It's so cliché to say 'life is too short' and I think it takes something huge for you to really realise this fact for yourself. I was talking to a friend about this recently whose colleague passed away. She said everyone around her wondered why God would end his life so early, but then she offered another perspective. She said, sometimes these things happen to change the lives of those around such tragedies. I agree with this, wholeheartedly. Sometimes I get so frustrated, as you can see with my previous posts relating to fear and insecurity, but I have come to conclude that it takes an event to effect you personally before this revelation really hits home. 

One thing I've been thinking about is how we compare our lives with each other. Why do we do this? Everybody is born with a different path, and different opportunities, some people are born without any. Wouldn't our energy be better used if we spent our time focussing on what we have and learn to be thankful for that? I watched a show yesterday about Utah (no surprise) and they interviewed a real life cowboy (which I enjoyed) who stated that he really was living his dream, and that everyday he woke up feeling thankful for what he has, because he knew that not everybody would get the chance to say that. I loved that. 

But what does it take to live our 'dream life'? It takes risk, it takes confidence and it takes an 'Oh well' attitude, over a 'What if I'd have....'. What if I went for that job, even though I don't think I'll get it? What if I book some time away and miss something? What if I make this decision and it's not the right one? Say you apply for a job and don't get it, Oh well. What you book a hotel and it's a dump when you get there, Oh well. What if things don't turn out how you'd hoped and you have to try something else, Oh well. 

Does everything in life go the way we think it will? NO! Instead of living a life of regrets, why don't you just do whatever it is you want to do? SO WHAT if things go a bit wrong or if you get a bit of rejection - you pick yourself up and try something new. We can't be afraid of mistakes anymore, life is too short. We never know what might be around the corner, and we can't know, for me that is the beauty of it! Sometimes I think we just need to stop thinking and evaluating and just go for it. Life is one big adventure, with all its ups and downs.

I will tell you now, if today were to be my last - I would die without regretting a thing. I truly mean that. I would also go with a smile on my face, knowing that I had learnt to live without fear. I encourage you to do the same...stop worrying, take a risk and pee into the wind.

Much Love xxx

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Thoughts on Love.

The topic of Love so far has been one of my favourite parts of life's journey. Love inspires people, encourages people, brings people together and makes sacrifices, amongst many other things. 

Love is what motivates me, more specifically the love that I have found through my ever growing Faith in my ever loving God. In the Bible, the greatest commandment relates to love.

 'Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them.' Matthew 25:37-40 

Do we love ourselves? If we do, how well? We weren't created to hate or dislike what we are, for we were created IN love, through love, BY love. (1 John 4:8) The image we see in the mirror is a reflection of our creator, when He looks at me, He loves what He sees. He promises that nothing can separate me from the love that He has for me, (Romans 8:38-39) and I have learnt to embrace that. I am full of life because of that fact. We have to accept that, because that is truth, and truth brings freedom. None of us should be bound by anything, rather we should be living in freedom of acceptance, knowing that we were made exactly how we were supposed to be. That doesn't mean we don't have our down days, trust me! But this is something that needs to be constantly grasped.

One of my favourite pieces of the Bible is here:

"So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11

I find these verses so fascinating - it's all well and good wanting to love absolutely EVERYONE we ever meet, but sometimes we have to understand that though we may love people, we may not always be the right person to help them. Sometimes we have to back away from certain friendships or relationships and focus more time and energy on others. It is ok that friendships may come to a natural end, it does not mean you do not love that person, because recognising that a season is over is part of life. We must love WELL, this is rich and deep and is not shallow or surface-level. Jesus focussed a lot of his ministry on hanging out with those who were cast out by their society, and at times, sacrificed his reputation to be with them. That, is love. He gave them his time, his words and truth. That is our job. We don't have to be known by everyone, we have to be wise and understand that sincere love has more of an impact than offering a sprinkling of love here and there because it is 'what we should do.' I would much rather have a positive, deep and meaningful impact upon 3 people that would change their lives than love 300 people a little bit and make no difference whatsoever. We are not here to make a song and dance about this fact, we are here plainly and simply as instruments of love, showing people that this God we believe in is actually pretty great. 

For me, loving God's creation is the most natural response in the world after what I believe He did for me. How could it not be?

x x x x

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We are the free...

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about insecurity. I hate insecurity. It has absolutely no place whatsoever in any of us, and yet we let it consume us. It holds us back from opportunities, it creates fear, it damages friendships, it lessens our self-esteem and tells us we’re not good enough. 

If insecurity has it’s way, then we could miss out on something huge. It forces us to dwell only in our comfort zones so that we stay where we are because it is easier. But why? Why do we let this happen? I did throughout my whole childhood, for most of my life I couldn’t bring myself to look at my own reflection, I hid behind baggy, dull clothes and avoided cameras like the plague. Until I realised life shouldn’t have to be like that. 

If we are bound by insecurity and fear, then are we truly living ‘life to the full?’ John 10:10. I don’t see how we can be! This isn’t what we were created for. Christianity isn’t about ‘looking’ the part, it’s a lot more inward than that. It’s security in the image in which God created you that makes you beautiful and attractive. It’s knowing that no matter how many times you and I mess up that we are ALWAYS loved, ALWAYS welcomed home with open arms. It’s not about rules, or what we can’t do. It’s about what we CAN do with the freedom we have been given. I always talk about my mistakes, because I’m not afraid of them, I’m human I make them all the time and I’ve come to terms with that! I learn from that. 


This is how we help each other grow: honesty. 

Another side effect of insecurity is being afraid of weakness. Over the past few months, I have been weak. I have had to overcome pride (something I didn’t really know I had!) to admit that I wasn't strong enough to cope on my own anymore. This is stupid too. When we are weak, we need people. All the way through my life, I had been the strong and together one, who was fine on her own and didn’t need anyone else’s help. Not anymore! I reached a point where I didn’t want to be alone anymore, I wanted people to help me through it and in turn I now feel strong enough to help other people in the same situation. When we are honest about how we feel, we open the door to let others in. People want to help, to listen, to care, to nurture, to support and to love - and we have to let them sometimes! This is what family is all about, we weren’t created to do this alone rather we make each other stronger. Weakness is not a bad thing that we have to avoid. 

'But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

We were created for freedom...don't miss out on what life has to offer you, take every opportunity you are given, life is too short to regret! God has something wonderful in store for you, I know it. 

xxx

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