Have you ever stopped still to simply admire a flower in your garden, or been looking in a book filled with lovely painting or photographs? Do you ever take time out of a busy schedule to sit quietly and ponder on how fortunate we really are? Sometimes it seems that a week will slip by and we haven't taken time out to just think. We get frustrated and make up excuses, oh they are all very real ones, such as family commitments, work, housework, time for our friends; the list goes on and on. 
A very wise lady once said to me to take time to pray. Take time to know the meaning of contentment because only when you are quiet and sit and think of the good things in your life (and yes I bet even at your lowest you can find at least one good thing to be thankful for). Following is a list that I made quite a few years ago when I was having a rough time.
Things that I am grateful for:

• Captain Corsair aka my husband( even though after 22 years he still leaves his towel on the bathroom floor for the cleaner aka me to pick up).
• My four very different boys, each one has brought joy and tears.
• My cats, little creatures that understand more than we give them credit for.
• My mother who is my inspiration and so much more.
• My father who I know is always there and who makes me laugh.
• An old farm house that is beautiful in its own way.
• My ability to write and research and write again.
• My imagination that seems to be unstoppable.
• My freedom, in a world where many are not free to write what they feel, worship whom they believe in, live where they want to live.
• And lastly I am thankful that I have a dear friend in Jesus Christ.  

These are ten things that I am thankful for -- I invite you to think of ten things too. 

New Boardies, a Surfboard and the Meaning of Friendship

Gods word tells us to be still and know that I am Lord. There is an old saying ' take time to smell the roses'. Have you ever just sat and quietly contemplated all that is around you? Do you have a special place , a favourite chair, maybe a peaceful part of the garden where you can be quiet and take stock of life?
A few years ago Captain Corsair bought me a garden chair and it is here I gravitate on a still day to read, write or just think. However quite often when I go and sit on my chair I am joined by the Captain, a bevy of cats and the inevitable dog or two, then to top it off sons Top Gun and JB usually add to the mix. There were times that I resented this intrusion to my time of peace. Selfish huh?
This morning was such a time. I had just settled down comfortably on my chair when Captain Corsair sits down beside me, followed by his undisciplined hound that seems all big feet and lolling tongue. No sooner had we organised the seating arrangements than Top Gun bounds out of the house doing an impressive impersonation of John Cleese( long legs going everywhere)wearing a pair of bright orange and yellow board shorts and sporting his new reflective sunglasses--and not much else.
" Like the new boardies mum?' his eyebrows shot up in question.
' Mmmm, bright!' I replied.
He then went on to tell me that he and his two mates had by some means (I refrained from asking how) come by an old surfboard. The new boardies were to compliment the second-hand surfboard. I asked him how three guys were going to make use of one surfboard, especially living approximately 300 kms
from the nearest beach. His reply may have been somewhat naive but on hindsight his simplistic solution to the problem, is one that should perhaps be adopted more often.
' We're friends Mum we will share.'
Out of the mouths of babes?