Inspiration from Petra Pierre - Robertson

Whatever you do, do your work heartily as unto God, rather than for men. (Colossians 3:23). Today is Administrative Professionals Day. I was invited to speak to a group of admin. professionals. After my presentation, they requested that I share the quotes to which I referred with them. That request is the source of this very short blog which I am writing as I have a quick lunch. I surmise that it will benefit not just the admin. professionals, but also people who have to face their unique work environment on a daily basis. At least 8 hours per day  I mused on the fact that most of our daylight/waking moments are spent in work. We sleep for about 8 hours (at least we are supposed to). We work for 8 hours, and the final 8 hours in the day are spent between preparation for work, house matters, family matters, study, children, recreation, exercise, our hobbies etc.  The last thing we want to do is to go to work I read somewhere that the last thing we want to do most days is go to work. Bu...

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. (Proverbs 4:25) This blog came to mind as I was driving to work  yesterday morning. I scribbled it quickly in the car when I parked before going into the office. In my early days of driving as a young learner, I focussed my eyes on the bonnet of the car as I tightly gripped the steering wheel. I was so scared. I didn't want to damage the car. I didn't want to crash into anything so I watched the front of the car.    "Wait. What you looking at? The car?" The instructor blurted in consternation as he  reached over, yet again, to steer the car back to the road.  "Yes," I responded. I wondered why he asked. To me it was obvious that I needed to focus on the car in order to protect it. To this day I hear his wise response.     "Don't let the car drive you, you are driving the car. Always keep your eyes on the road. Look where you are going. Don't look at the car. Look up ahead...

"Listen, you rebels, must we...?' (Numbers 20:10) Just like that he came to mind.  The man who gave up prestige, wealth, power, popularity and fame to suffer with God's people. He was not the best speaker, but because God chose him, God empowered him to speak, lead and mentor. To the disbelief, reproach and scoff of many, he turned his back on a lucrative career and chose the thus saith the Lord. An easy path You would think that, because he had chosen well, things would be easy; that he wouldn't have encountered problems. Think again, it was anything but easy. The people for whom he gave up pleasure, power and popularity, turned on him, even after what he had sacrificed in order to liberate them. They made me do it! They accused him instead of restricting them; of restricting their diet, dress and entertainment choices. They rebelled, complained, undermined, whispered, backbited, accused, and slandered his name and reputation. His was a lonely position and existenc...

God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 AMP) "Come see this!" I raced to the back door. We stood looking at the tree in confusion. It was a sad, sorry, sight. A once sturdy and robust tree with rich foliage now stood stark, dry, and naked of leaves. Skeletal branches provided an almost grotesque sketch against the canvas of the sky. Abandoned The animals that once received food, shelter and even clothing had abandoned it for other trees. The large nest of a bird was visible in another tree just beyond its ghastly branches "Something seemed to have attacked the tree. It is all dried up." We stood silently for a few seconds looking at the sorry sight of the tree before he softly said "Perhaps the nails." Just three nails We had hammered three nails into the trunk to provide a sturdy prop for a place to wash. Just three nails poisoned and decimated a once green, ...

Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Eager to explore They were recently born/ created and eager to explore. Developing senses provided awareness and mobility. This led to an eagerness to explore and experience the unknown and untasted. The creator/guardian knew well the dangers of unlimited freedom for innocent creatures who were unable to discern danger. An area was therefore created for them to play and function while they grew and developed. An area to play, grow and develop It was done to protect them while they were taught lessons in preparation for the controversy that raged outside of their 'safe haven'. "You can play with toys, watch the dvds, roll on the carpet, sit in the chairs run through the rooms. All these things you may do but: Don't put your fingers in plugs Don't go in the kitchen Don't touch the iron" Don't eat except what I provide and instruct you to.. The don'ts somehow seemed ...

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 Footprints in the sand We have come to the end of another year, and what a year it has been. For some there were victories, successes, accomplishments, and the like. For others 2022 left in its wake grief, regrets, unfulfilled dreams, betrayals, trauma and countless other footprints that made deep impressions on the sands of their souls. New Beginning A new year promises new beginnings. Your new beginning may be characterised by any or all of the following: Without a loved one Embracing dreams Charting paths Redirecting focus The turning of the calendar is like the curling of a wave over footprints The curling of a wave over footprints A new slate is before you Acknowledge God before stepping out and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:6). God's grace can be compared to the ...

Let each esteem the other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3) Crab Holes I credit Irwin for the enlightening discourse which generated this blog. As we engaged in our morning exercise on the beach, I said to him, "the sea is just generating muses for my blogs. Do you have a muse to share?" I was rewarded with a grin as he responded "Crab Holes". My interest instantly peaked. Crab holes. I had seen the holes, wondered about them fleetingly and forgotten about them because of my fixation on the terrifying beauty of the ocean. Our discourse served as fodder for the following narrative. Meanwhile, amidst the vicious wind, raging sea and pouring rain, three crabholes were visible on ground. The crabs were together in their little holes covered safe and sound. Crab Holes Allow me to juxtapose this image of crabs in a hole safe and snug in the midst of a tempest, with the image of crabs in a barrel crawling on one another to get out. Video of Crabs in a Barrel The ...