Things aren't always as bad as they seem

Sometimes we think God had forgotton us when things don't turn out as we think they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it till some time later.

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't dispair. There are people in this world for whon driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.

Should you despair over a relationship gone badly, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should the car break sown, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new grey hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine. Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering, "What is life all about, what is my purpose?", be thankful. There are those that didn't live long enough to get that opportunity.

Shuld you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember that things could be worse. You could be them.

Should you stop and realise that things aren't always as bad as they seem, then you can begin with a renewed spirit to help yourself as well as those who are less fortunate.

I found this photocopied on one of my husband's files. I thought it was worth posting.

Noah's Diamond

I am writing a book. I am almost finished. My best friend showed me a competition for an unpublished novel so I have entered. I had to write a 500 word synopsis. I thought I might just as well post it to my blog.


"Noah’s Diamond" by Jenny Lee Young

“When the world ended, there was no warning!”

In the year 2036 in post-AIDS South Africa, Margaret Jasper, a science teacher, takes a group of Pioneer girls to a winter camp. Her assistant, Thumu Sizwa, mother of two of the Pioneer girls, has organised a trip to the Noah’s Diamond Complex during the camp.

Noah Abernathy, an eccentric American billionaire, had been convinced that God had told him to build a nuclear shelter to house his family in the event of nuclear war. South Africa seemed tactically to be the safest area to situate this technologically advanced, computer-controlled safe-haven. However, the threat of nuclear war diminished to almost zero and Noah Abernathy died, leaving the Diamond Complex to the family in a trust, with a proviso that a member of the Abernathy family always live there. They decided to turn the complex into a tourist attraction.

With much anticipation, Margaret and the girls take a tour of Diamond One. Their tour guide is Lindy-Lou Abernathy, the pregnant and unmarried granddaughter of the late Noah.

During their tour, the party is jolted by an earth-shattering explosion, causing Diamond One to automatically seal. News broadcasts are garbled but Margaret gets glimpses of a world in crisis – collapsed buildings, fires, dead bodies, screaming people……….

At first the adults react to the situation as a tourist gimmick and then a temporary glitch that will soon be repaired. However, after five days, what they all secretly feared turns out to be true. The interactive function is again up and running and they are informed that the rest of the world is dead or dying due to massive nuclear explosions and the resultant radiation in the atmosphere.

The fate of humanity rests in the hands of this group of teenage girls. They are in many ways an ill-assorted bunch, including Beth, a blind but privileged girl, Martha Malobi, the ex-drug addict, Mara, who suffers from depression, the street-wise Britney Adams and her naive friend Sharon who has encountered love for the first time. The only hope for the continuation of the human race lies in Lindy-Lou’s unborn baby. If only it is a little boy!

Is there a chance for the human race? What is the smell that reminds Beth of Christmas? Who slashed Mara’s best painting? What is Sharon’s hidden secret? Can Margaret lead the group through near mass euthanasia, deliberate vandalism, fire, relocation and even attempted murder?

Find out in this gripping South African Science Fiction Novel. Celebrate the power of women! Appreciate the contribution that Youth can make to society. Come and enjoy the technological delights of the future with the last members of the human race.

My Mission Statement

I wrote my mission statement in January 2000.

Acknowledging that I am a special and unique creation of God, made with purpose and endowed with many special gifts, my mission is to realize my full potential and to use my gifts for the enabling and building up of others.

My most important "Other" is my husband. With him I will build up a strong, loving relationship, striving to strengthen and encourage him and to make him supremely happy. We will have fun together and make happy memories, remembering that we will not always be together.

My children will also not be with me for long. I will enjoy them, delighting in the unique characters God has given them, building strong relationships and happy memories, and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Friends are important to me. I regard people as more important than things or tasks. Listening is more important than talking. When I do talk, may it be more uplifting than tearing down. I shall value my friends and work towards inspiring and enabling them.

My word is my bond. What I promise I will do to the best of my ability.

I am proactive. I can choose how to react.

In the world I shall endeavour to bring encouragement, support and strength to those I encounter, like water quietly seeping into the earth and refreshing flowers.

In my work I shall endeavour always to give my best and to ensure that my employer gets value for their money.

I believe in and admire truth, honour, courage, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, patience and self control and will do my best to incorporate them into my life. However, the overriding principle must be love.

I have invited Jesus Christ into my life. He is my final authority, Lord and guide. The bible is my handbook on right living.

I realize that other people will not have my mission, nor my values, but I accept that they, too, are created by God for a purpose.