chronicles of young

 Coming back to CoY (288 posts over about 15 years!), I just realised that this platform has taken me through my pimply adolescence through to arrive at adulthood. Where there is a growing realisation and acceptance that life is probably always gonna be tough and God has meant for that on this side of heaven.  I feel now though, an immense gratitude at how life turned out for me. Though the Author's pen is continuing to write the narrative, the chapters that have unfolded so far and how the story is (seems to be) going has me looking forward to the future.  My cup has the verse: "She looks forward to the future with joy." (Proverbs 31:25) The verse comes from the well-known passage on the "virtuous wife", but is more about the beauty of Wisdom.  I'm reflecting on a nudge to welcome another one to live in our home. That as I have called it Meno, to abide , as a vision for our home, that those who need nurturing and to be fed by God can come. It challenges my ...

 "His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man. but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love."  Psalm 147: 10-11 Was sitting and mulling, mostly trying to be conscious of God's presence. And I landed on Psalm 147 which begins with praise. A reminder to choose praise.  And this was the part that prodded me gently, with me feeling like God is so so holy and yet He prods me gently in my helpless state. I have been oppressed by the thoughts in my mind and the expectations absorbed from the world and nurtured (yes, nurtured) within myself.  It shows up in the quiet pride that I always shut down but as I take some time to mull on it, I know that it comes from my idea of winning in life. As if life is a race to be won. It shows up in my simmering anxiety that threatens to boil over at a frequency that I find too much. I would love to be truly free and alive in You, Lord.  And so, as...