Recent lessons learned...

When I started writing this post it was only meant to be brief. I soon realised this was going to be difficult. So instead of writing a thesis, I will post it somewhat incomplete and focus just on some thoughts I have encountered these past few days.

... When my baby niece smushes her open mouth into my cheek, smothering me in her version of a sloppy wet kiss, it’s disgusting. But awesome. And I totally love it.

... Hillsong isn’t so bad. So say what you will, think what you want of it, and me, but I believe they are a genuine hearted bunch of passionate people that defy their critics and serve BRILLIANTLY. Kudos, Hillsong. Massive kudos.

... My long-term love of gospel music and recent involvement in a gospel choir has made it difficult to completely enjoy contemporary Christian music these days. While music style is not, and shouldn't be, a barrier for spiritual connection, I’d happily sing a Kirk or Israel tune over the latest United release. Does anyone know a church in Adelaide that does good gospel music? Haha...

... I am a very strong woman and make no apology for saying that. Not anymore, anyway. I’m also no longer afraid of my strength and have made the choice to not hold back from growing in this regard for fear of becoming too intimidating. If someone is intimidated by a strong woman, that is their problem, not hers.

... Our biggest fears reveal what we value the most. A simple and obvious statement, but one that resonated within me this weekend.

... Just because you’re waiting for something, doesn’t mean you are crippled from doing anything else while you wait.

... There is always a wall between you and your potential. The question is: What are you doing to do about breaking through that wall?

... Sydney doesn’t heaps do it for me anymore. No offence to those who call Sydney home, it’s a great city. But it doesn’t rock my world. It’s busy, dirty, a little unfriendly, and full of smokers. Ugh. Maybe I need to get out into the suburbs more… Looking forward to getting home to RADelaide. ;)

And finally… and probably most importantly...

... I have been underestimating myself. Which means I have been underestimating the one who created me. This is so not cool.


Hope you enjoyed that.
Love.
J x

Braced for battle...

It's the time of year again, and I'm in Sydney for Colour Conference once more.

On the one hand I am excited about the weekend ahead, and have some amazing memories and lessons learned from previous Colour Conferences. (This is my fourth, and I love it every time) However, I can’t deny that a couple of hours out of our first session, I’m a little afraid. Why? Because the enemy awaits and the battlefield is set… No, not the spiritual enemy, but an emotional enemy. I’m talking about the Christian culture that celebrates marriage and occasionally finds wives  innocently bragging about their amazing husbands and all the amazing things about marriage… Leaving us single chicks feeling rather uncelebrated and unqualified as women.

As per a previous blog post I have mentioned that I haven’t always found it easy to be a twenty-something single Christian female. Over time I have processed most of these feelings and can happily say I am in a place where I am ‘ok’ being where I’m at in life. However, on the brink of one of the largest Christian Women’s conferences in the world, I can’t help but feel I am about to enter a battle; the battle of being ‘ok’ in a room full of passionate (and mostly married) women, who look for jewelery on your left hand right after they smile and say hello… Yes, it happens. And no, I don’t have any bling on my ring finger. Unfortunately. Man I really love bling... ;)