What Stinks

'Lord, by this time he stinketh.' John 11:39 KJV

Sometimes when we have a problem we do what Mary and Martha did with their deceased brother Lazarus. We bury it and roll a stone in front of it. Then Jesus comes along and tells us to roll the stone away so He can deal with it and make us whole again. It takes honesty, humility and courage to roll away the stone on a stubborn or shaming issue. But you will never become healthy and whole until you are willing to do that. Can you imagine the state Lazarus was in after four days in the grave? Martha said, 'He stinketh.' Yet Jesus said, '...If you [will] believe you [will] see the glory of God' (John 11:40 NKJV).

The great thing about this story is that no matter how far gone your situation may be or how unpleasant it is, Jesus can turn it around for you. But you must be willing to roll the stone away and allow Him to work. If you'll let Him, He can give you back what life has taken from you. People may give up on you but Jesus won't. Have you ever changed a baby's nappy? If anything else smelled that bad you would throw it in the trash, right? But not your child; you love them and you know that with a little help they are capable of outgrowing it and becoming something good.

Like Mary and Martha, you may think it's too late for a miracle, but it's not. Your finances may stink, your relationship may stink, your prospects for the future may stink but, if you will believe, you will 'see the glory of God.'

I love, love, LOVE this one.

My experiences have taught me that no matter how bad things get, how royally we screw up, or how far down a dark road we have travelled - that road is not one way. There is always a u-turn option.

I have gotten friendlier with the "porn star" at community service lately and i was telling her about my past the other day. She could not believe it. She gave me a big hug and thanked me for sharing what i had been through with her. I laughed when she did that and said - it's no secret - it was on the front page of every newspaper and on the 6'oclock news! The look on her face though, when i told her where i was, and what my life was like this time three years ago was so much shock that it was funny.

Everyone had given up on me, including myself, when i was standing on that bridge that day - except Jesus. I had a choice that day - jump - or put my life in His hands. Life is so wonderful now. It is hard to believe. So if anyone is on going proof that, that reading is true - it is me. Things just keep getting better and better, and the future is actually becoming exciting - instead of daunting.

I. Love. It.

Right - didn't have time to write yesterday. I had a busy day with my kids, and then a busy evening with the T's kids. We headed out to the Lantern Festival in Albert Park. We got there nice and early - before dark - because his kidlets get tired pretty early - and stayed till just after dark. That was superb timing because by 9pm it was dark enough for us to have enjoyed all the lanterns, and we were able to get out of there before the crowds absolutely did our heads in.

The kids absolutely loved it. I tried to get mine to come with us but i guess hanging out with mum and T on Saturday night is not so cool. Coley just rolled her eyes at the suggestion, and Jorgia was going to some big underage paint party called Splurge. Don't ask me what a paint party is. I have no idea. All i know is that i am going to have loads of fun today attempting to get all that paint out of her brand new Converse sneakers that i bought her for Christmas and i now have a very colourful bathroom.

Paint. Everywhere.

They had fun though. So much fun that i had to put an end to it when they were all still awake and squealing at the top of their lungs in my lounge - at 5am.

Now my house looks like a teenage body mausoleum. Bodies everywhere.

The T and i are gonna need a bigger house.