Half Way

Is it just me or is 2013 flying by? It’s July already which means we've passed this year’s half way mark. Where is the time going? Better yet, what have I actually done so far this year?  Like most, I started this year very optimistic, I felt like the world was my oyster; so many opportunities and goals set before me and I was so ready to explore and learn. As the year progressed and I was going forward with all my exciting plans, one by one these opportunities and goals fell apart right before my eyes. It felt like God was physically closing doors, and there was nothing I could do to keep them open. So here we are in July and I can’t help but feel that this year so far has been a complete disappointment.

One thing I have always wondered is how do we determine the will of God? How do we know for sure what he wants us to do? I know that God’s word reveals His ultimate will for us as his followers but I am thinking about the more detailed, specific and personal details of our lives. I have always struggled with this thought as I have seen instances where people that I know have made plans or followed a course that is pleasing to God (based on biblical counsel and God’s providential leading) and things just haven’t worked out. Let me give you a personal example of something that hasn't worked out for me this year. Not many people know this but I was only supposed to be in Wales for 6 months as I was given the opportunity to move to the Caribbean islands and work with a long term Medical Missionary and his family. This was an amazing opportunity as I have always wanted practical “hands on” experience as a Medical Missionary. However this wide open door began to shut and a number of things lead me to finally accept that this opportunity wasn't going to happen.

I was very disappointed that things didn't work out, as I have wanted to minister and serve as a Medical Missionary since 2009 but at that time I was still in university and had ties and responsibilities in London. However this year I was finally in a position to go forward with this and believed that this was the appointed time as I had waited so patiently for this opportunity. So when things didn't work out I was very confused, I was thinking to myself “Why did God lead me here and open doors in such a way for me to go forward?” “Why did God show me all these signs and provide the perfect circumstances to go?”  “Why did God lead me in this direction and now this door has slammed shut on me?” Through much prayer, conversation with friends and reading I came to the realisation that I had preconceived ideas regarding God’s will and his timing.  

I had planned out this year based on what I believed God’s will was for me. It felt like this was the thing to do as everything seemed right to me, but then when in his providence he closed that door and some others (which also could mean that at the same time He is opening new doors) I didn't recognise this as His will because I had so many preconceived ideas. I looked at this situation and thought “I know that God wants me to do this, it has to be it”, but now I know that God was using this situation to show me that as I am seeking to know God’s will for my life I need to let go of my preconceived ideas.

Having preconceived ideas may seem like a small matter but can have detrimental consequences. The Israelites in Jesus’s day as a whole expected the Messiah to come as a king, a conqueror, a leader who would rule with an iron rod and defeat the Romans who were oppressing them and set up this great empire. However we know that Christ came as the complete opposite, he came as ‘a lamb to the slaughter’ (Isaiah 53:7) with meekness and humility (Christ’s sermon on the mount, Matthew chapters 5- 7, is just one example of where Christ’s true character and mission is demonstrated) and because the people had preconceived ideas of how Christ would come they were unable to accept him as the Messiah which ultimately lead to the people rejecting and crucifying Jesus.

So, this is my prayer, that God neutralises all our preconceived ideas and gives us a heart that is open to His leading. God sees the whole pattern of our lives and where we need to be and where we need to go, we just need to be willing to follow him.

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Psalms 37:5

Love, your girl forever,

 ♥ Miss Daisy  ♥

The Lord is My Shepherd

At the house in Llangammarch Wells, it’s not uncommon to wake up and find sheep outside the house. Sheep are quiet interesting animals to study especially during the season when all their lambs are born. One March morning, Natasha’s morning devotion was interrupted by the sight of a sheep and her lambs by her window. She began to ponder on how much the sheep loves her lambs and doesn’t go anywhere without them. However from her observations from the past week she found that at the slighted hint of danger the sheep would flee and abandon her lambs. She found this strange and wondered “what defensive mechanism does the sheep have?” She was impressed to do some research on the characteristics of a sheep to gain a better understanding of how God designed and engineered this special animal. She conducted a search on Google and was lead to the website wiki.answers.com, this isn’t a religious website but after reading the answers it became very obvious to her how similar we humans are to sheep in the eyes of God.


The Lord is my shepherd*

1: Sheep must have a leader and must be told what to do and where to go otherwise they will wonder off and get lost.

“Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.” Numbers 27:16-17

“For thou art my rock and my fortress, therefore for thy names sake lead me and guide me.” Psalms 31:3

2: Sheep have little or no means of self-defence.

“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.” Psalms 31:1-4

3: Sheep constantly need fresh water and fresh pasture, but have very little discernment in choosing food or water.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leaded me beside the still waters.” Psalms 23:1-2

“They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them: for he that have mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.” Isaiah 49:10

4: Sheep will insist on going their own way and even eat poisonous plants or drink dirty water.

”All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way…” Isaiah 53:6

5: When sheep fall over on their back they are unable to right themselves back onto their feet (many sheep die in this position); if not turned over by the shepherd.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

6: Sheep need the most care out of all livestock. They are totally dependent on the shepherd for every need and need rod and staff guidance

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:1-4

I was truly blessed by this devotion when it was shared with me that Sabbath evening as it reminded me of how much we need Christ; we are his sheep and he is the good shepherd.

“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalms 100:3

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

What’s even more interesting is that not only is Christ the good shepherd, he is also the lamb.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

He is both master and servant.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:” Philippians 2:5-9

Obedience is the first and most important characteristics of a leader. Before one is to be a leader (shepherd) they must first learn/know how to follow, obey and serve (sheep). God really brought this point to my heart, simply by bringing Nataha's attension to a sheep and her lambs standing by her window one morning.

There’s much more to be learnt at Llangammarch Wells and lots more to be shared, this is only the beginning….stay tuned.

Love, your girl forever,

 ♥ Miss Daisy  ♥

*A devotional study by Natasha Walker

My B, Be, Benita!

I love the month of May, for me it marks the beginning of spring/summer in the UK, it’s the month of my birthday and also the birthday of one of my dearest (probably my most favourite person in the world right now)  friend Benita. God has taught me so much about love through my friendship with Benita. We can have disagreements or arguments and it’s almost instantly resolved, sometimes she can do things that can be perceived as very annoying but for some strange reason it doesn't irritate me at all. I believe these things don’t get to me because of the love I have for her which is also an encouragement that I can (and should) have this experience with others.

I was reading Proverbs 18:24 a while ago and Benita came to mind; “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Our friendship has grown from strength to strength over the years. I remember in the early days we were singing partners and we did a few duets together, she helped me build my confidence in singing and taught me how to sing alto. She was also there for me when I was beginning a new chapter in my life, giving me womanly advice and being there to listen.  She has helped me face many storms and has been so happy when I have come out on the other side; I am so excited because I know she will play a huge role in my life in the distant future. I am so thankful to God because it’s a wonderful thing to know that you have a friend who genuinely wants to see you happy and that takes pleasure in your Joy. It is also a blessing to have a friend who you connect with on a spiritual level, Benita and I always support each other’s bible study sessions and often encourage each other’s spiritual growth and character development.

So today my heart is filled with joy because God has given her another year and has blessed her abundantly with many precious gifts especially the knowledge of his Son; God has blessed us with a daughter, a wife, a sister and a true friend. 

Happy Birthday Benita xxx

Thank you so much Lord for blessing me with such a beautiful (inside and out) and caring friend, I pray that you will continue to nurture and strengthen this friendship. Let it blossom Lord.

With overflowing love love LOVE!

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

The Flower is Growing.

Have you ever been given a gift by someone that knew you but you didn't know them? Over 24 years ago I was given the gift of life. I didn't know it was a gift nor did I know the giver, at that time life probably felt like mere existence. As I began to grow and the years passed by I began to learn more about life and its giver.

I love when my birthday comes around each year, for me it’s a time to reflect and think about this gift of life and how I can make better use of it. I think about how I've developed from the previous year, things I've achieved, areas I need to improve on, moments where I've failed and moments where I've learned. Most importantly I think about my standing with God; has my love for Him grown over the year? Has age and experience increased my commitment and obedience to him? Let’s talk more about life.

Life is such a multifaceted gift, it brings with it love, faith, joy, peace, family, friends, memories, laughter, accomplishments, trust, fulfilment, just to mention a few. It also brings with it pain, sorrow, loss and disappointment. These things may seem to ruin life but actually strengthen us when we pass through them. Another thing that intrigues me about life is the uncertainty of it; the fact that you never know what is going to happen, who you’ll meet, who you’ll lose and ultimately where you'll end up. Even if you try your very best to plan every aspect of your life to the very last minute detail, it's quiet unlikely for it to go exactly how you planned it. Life takes many twists and turns. During my late teens and early 20’s I had my whole life planned out but now at 24 I have no clue what’s next. This at times frustrates me. I often feel like I am walking blind folded on a tight rope not knowing what’s ahead of me. It’s scary, not knowing where the pitfalls are or how long until you “get there”. However, while feeling this, I feel someone holding my hand and keeping me steady. This person can see what’s ahead and is guiding me while encouraging me to keep moving forward. My 23^rd year has taught me not to plan life and try and make things happen the way I want it to happen (thought it might be worth mentioning here that I am not saying that it is bad to plan) but rather put my plans before God, trusting that he will guide me, for he knows what is ahead and will lead me to the right place.

I am the tight rope walker, and Lord, you are my guide. Please continue to lead me and guide my path for many more years to come. Thank you so much Lord for another year.*

I don’t know what lies ahead for you and I, but I do know that if we trust God and allow him to guide us he will lead us to beautiful places. See you there x

Love, your girl forever,

♥ Miss Daisy ♥
* My Birthday is on the 18th of May :-)

Scattered Feathers Action Plan #7: I want to be a grave

I tweeted this statement a few weeks ago and most people thought I was being dramatic but this is honestly my desire. Being honest and trust worthy are invaluable traits of character; therefore I think it is important to not only have a reputation of being an honest and trustworthy person but to genuinely be one. So if anybody tells me something in confidence it dies with me, I am the grave, the person can rest assurance that it will never be passed on, it stops with me.

So there it is my action plan! It’s not at all an exhausted one but it’s a start. As I was writing this and reading over it I realised how much I will need God’s strength to make these plans active and real in my life. I can’t do this on my own but I know he will help me…so I’m thankful.

Feel free to comment, I want to hear your thoughts on this. Do you have an action plan? Anything I’ve missed out?

Till next time.


Love, your girl forever,

♥ Miss Daisy  ♥

Scattered Feathers Action Plan #6: Give people the right to their own privacy and just be there

I am a strong believer of people having the right to their own privacy; just because someone is your friend doesn’t mean that they are obliged to tell you everything or know everything about you. More and more I see people evaluating friendships by the amount of secrets they share, but this shouldn’t be the case. I remember when my friend Benita said to me “Daisy, I’m not your friend because of your secrets” this statement is so true and it has really changed my perception on things. Benita and I are very close friends not because we tell each other all our secrets but because of our love for Christ and the fact that we share common interests. So if, for example, Benita* is going through a tough time or is in need, I don’t need to know the ins and outs of the situation in order to support her, I just need to be there. Whether she decides to bear all or not, it doesn’t matter, I just need to be a friend and be there.

♥ Miss Daisy ♥

* Thanks B for letting me use you as an example for this one xxx

Scattered Feathers Action Plan #5: Exercise my right to say “it's none of your business”

In situations where I can sense someone is trying to get information out of me, it might be worth telling the person that the information that they are seeking for is actually “none of their business!” Sound harsh? The intention in doing this is not to be mean or spiteful but rather highlight the reality of the situation. Sometimes we need to be reminded that somethings are simply none of our business especially when our intention in knowing is to have our ears satisfied. Likewise for myself, if I am tempted to be nosy or to please my itchy ears I need to do the same and tell myself “Daisy, it’s none your business”. Regardless of who the person is don't feel under any pressure to disclose someone else's private information to them. In the nicest way possible exercise your right to say "it's none of your business"; or if you prefer to be a bit more diplomatic you could just say "What I know is private and confidential, so I'd rather not say anything".

♥ Miss Daisy ♥