So yesterday I get a text from a private number
My wife had locked her keys in the car while down in Perth…
Oh No!
One of the biggest relationships we have, and one where many, many issues come up. All is not lost though…
21 years ago, I stood, dreadlocks brushed out, sweating in a suit, on a stage, waiting for you to join me at the altar… I had no idea how things would pan out. I had no idea how difficult the road would be. I had no idea of how to be a good husband. I had no idea of of what a good father was like. I had no idea how to pick a good life partner. In short, I had no idea. Thankfully God did! You are such an amazing woman, I’m blown away… No matter which memory, which year, which project, which mammoth stuff up …
Today I was thinking: ‘what have I actually achieved in life’ and a few things came to mind… I: Turned $8 into $200,000 in less than 4 years (I started with a $8 TV from the tip)Started and ran my own business, doing what I loved with no loan or capital (sold parts off my Torana after a high speed chase left me on crutches, which grew into a full time business)Avoided jail despite breaking the law incessantly, getting raided repeatedly and being charged a number of times (including from high up cops lying in court to try to put me …
Tonight I was reminded how dumb I am as a male at times… Let me set the stage: I have been married to the same amazing woman for more than 20 years(!). We have lived together (in *hard* conditions at times), worked together, ran a business together, raised 6 children together, built a house and property together: been in each other’s spaces *constantly*. She has continually told me what she needs *so* many times it’s absurd. Even so, tonight, I come in to the bedroom and kneel down next to the bed. (No I’m not so holy …
Look what I found today! It is the actual budget tally for our wedding 20 years ago… We had 200-300 at the ceremony and around 150 at the reception. We cut corners everywhere we could: Catering was a voucher and friends / family chipping in. For cars, we found an old Holden lover. For table decorations we did ourselves – bowls with pebbles and fish.Sharmini’s dress? Borrowed. The rings – secondhand. The total including catering, hair, cars and photography? All in $3,070!!! At that time, that was a *huge* amount of money for us, I clearly remember the $300 to rent chair …
Since Christmas, we have set up and rammed a new front fence: it’s not finished, but feels great to have *finally* made some progress on it! I have to say, that despite the pain and severe physical limitation, I *love* working with this amazing family. We had some friends come to help – and watching our kids continually take the time to stop, include and teach others is so rewarding. To me, it is part of what discipleship looks like, a command from our Master, so desperately needed and severely lacking. It is one of the aspects of my Christian …
The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22 This verse is so true, but ‘treasure’ makes it sound like I was looking. Nope, not even close – in fact my first ever words to her? “I’m not looking for a relationship” And her response: Are you really so full of yourself?! Who would have thought it was the start of a 18 years (and counting) journey including 6 children, 3 dogs, 7 moves and and unknown number of adventures. I certainly didn’t! In fact, as someone who had always been …
Have you ever attacked your wife or partner? Yelled, screamed, used those angry eyes, given silent treatment or just left (emotionally or physically)? Has it ever been because of something that has happened with or to your child? A parenting issue? A dis-agreeance on what has or should happen? Me too. It is a common source of conflict in a marriage. Today I feel God wants me to share a different take on these times. Maybe when you reacted, you just experienced part of God’s heart? What? Maybe – let me explain: As I look back at my childhood, I …
So yesterday I get a text from a private number
My wife had locked her keys in the car while down in Perth…
Oh No!
Recently, someone we met at church years ago, passed away. She was an incredible lady, happy, loving and full of beans. Although very slight in build, she came across as very strong and was certainly brave. She would talk to anybody about Jesus and often handed out Gospel tracts. We had only run into her once since Her husband, John, passed away – she was still full of love for her Saviour. As my parents had attended her funeral, they bought us a booklet printed by the family, chronicling parts of her life. Two parts had me riveted: 1) Angie’s …
As a dad with 6 children, a big part of being a good husband and father is to model how to show love and help the children to love and honour people – especially their mother. This is an area where I have failed heaps, but over the years there has been a few ways that have stood out that have ‘worked’ in this regard for me. The first is receiving love from God. Don’t switch off – seriously – we have often received either only a little love while growing up or a tainted version of love. This leaves …
The effect of Mercy on Me Tonight, as part of her Mothers Day celebration, Sharmini had wanted to watch the movie “I can only Imagine” – the story behind the #1 all time best selling Christian single. The writer of the song (Bart Millard) had an abusive father and very difficult life that continued into early adulthood. Later, Bart saw Jesus transform his father from a ‘monster he hated into the man that he wanted to become’ (his words). The song talks about what it will be like in Heaven – far from the cliche great food and good times …
A brief look into our crazy world…Tonight it was date night so I was cooking a special meal for myself and Sharmini that she has arranged. The children are looking after the babies and buying / selling goods as part of their new business venture. We are running late, and the phone rings with “No Caller ID”. It can only mean one thing: telemarketers. I normally answer and tell them about Jesus, but today I was going to ignore due to time restraints. But Sharmini decided she would answer this time… “Hello” “Hello sir, Do you know that your business can not …
Today it’s our FIFTEENTH Wedding Anniversary! To say it has been a FULL ON 15 years with many highs and lows is an understatement! Many, many failures & mistakes but always matched and overcome by God’s love and grace. We are very thankful to Jesus who brought us together and really is the reason we are still together. We had decided that we weren’t going to go anywhere or do anything special, but would tidy up the property and possibly try to sort either some bedroom furniture or bed sheets for our room. After doing some normal morning duties, we were told …
When a family install a Composting Toilet as a surprise for wife / mum while she is out !!
It was coming up to Sharmini’s 16th Christian Birthday, the floors should be finished, could we manage to surprise her? For those who know Sharmini, you know that she is an incredibly kind, loving and generous person. She is always looking for ways to bless others and one way that she has planned to do that once the house is finished is by doing High Teas for ladies. She has often purchased tea sets or saucers at garage sales and started storing them in the shed. I knew once we had done the first one, the excitement of it would be …
Fathers Day is the day I count as being born again – a short article on how God’s love continues to transform and help
I saw today a post where someone had put the words: “as a Christian I would never enforce my view on anyone” I could hardly believe my eyes – is this why so many professing ‘Christians’ are unwilling to stand up and say no to abortion or the re-definition of marriage? If I were walking down the park and saw a group of boys throwing stones at a Magpie, using a stick to stab a cute kitten, throwing acid at a dog or using a crossbow to shoot a Kangaroo – should I walk or look away? What …
What an epic 24 hours! I know that we don’t live a ‘normal’ suburban life – but the last 24 hours has been more crazy than normal… The last few weeks has really been amazing – and not what people would say in a good way. We have had drama after drama with some things happening that just seem ridiculous. Some of them have threatened the existence (forever) of our business, the completion of our house with literally more problems than could be imagines with what would seem to be simple things and sickness. But our reactions have not …
Today I got my favourite breakfast – Nasi Lemak – but it was nothing compared to what happened next! After reading my cards, the children lined up and sang the Growing Kids song ‘my daddy is so awesome’. They did the actions & had apparently been preparing for weeks. I was emotional listening and watching them. The words of that song go like this: “My Daddy is so awesomeHe leads our family, My dad loves my mummy and He loves me. He reminds me that we have a great familyAnd he shows love to mummy and he’s always hugging meHe …
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