Interstellar

I had the pleasure recently of watching Interstellar recently. My husband and I hadn't managed any time alone together since early this year, so we made it a date and went to the movies.

It was rather more challenging than usual because of my husband suffering from a trapped nerve in his spine, which is causing him some not inconsiderable pain, but he dosed up on medication and struggled through.

Though it wasn't all to my taste, there were some interesting themes. In one of them, the main character has a scene with his daughter. He is going away for a long time and she is trying to persuade him to stay, says there are signs for him to stay, but he is determined to go and they part ways. Interestingly however he gets to 'watch' this scene again later on, in the future, and now because of his experiences his perspective is completely different and he feels he should have stayed.

This theme continues because even further into the film he realises he did the right thing in leaving after all. His mind has been changed yet again, because of his new found knowledge.

This really spoke to me. Like many people I have had a lot of struggles in my life with some very difficult issues. Many of those issues continue even now, and I do find it hard. But I realise that I am the person I am today because of those struggles and experiences. In essence, my perspective on so many things has changed because of my new found knowledge.

This is how it must be, I feel, if we're to move closer to God and be more effective in our lives.

The Bible encourages us to 'be transformed by the renewing of our minds' (Romans 12). One way this happens is to learn 'on the job' by experiencing things. Another way is to read the Bible and let its truths wash over us and grow inside us. A third way is to spend time with God to get His heavenly perspective, because things look so different from His point of view.

God encouraged me through the movie that it's all been worthwhile, that it will all make sense, and that as we approach the end of the year I can look back and really celebrate the progress that's been made.

I need that encouragement right now. It's a hard time for us financially with resources stretched very tight. We have four birthdays, Christmas and New Year in a 9 week window starting at the beginning of November and going through to January. Amongst this we have to take time off work as no-one wants things done over Christmas, so we have two people with no income for nearly 2 1/2 weeks. Just having the time off would be a challenge, let alone all that needs to be done on top.

In addition we have car issues, my vacuum cleaner and PC need replacing and we discovered a huge patio window is leaking and needs to be replaced, a huge slab of concrete removed, the damp proof course fixed and concrete re-laid. My internal flooring is wet and mouldy because of it and we've just entered winter. Plus we need two new windows put in by a builder, some plastering done and a children's room split into two as the kids sharing really need their own space.

I am so stretched time and work-wise and so feeling the pressure (as is my husband, who is also in pain and suffering), that I admit to having a wobble yesterday afternoon and shedding a few tears when my vacuum stopped for the umpteenth time.

But God spoke to me at church this morning (the service was brilliant, I shall share more about it next time) and all I can do is praise Him, believing He is good all the time and real help will appear just as I need it.

I had to lead the prayers in church today. I felt God say He wanted to reignite hope in people's hearts this advent (the period leading up to Christmas), hope for difficult things and maybe dreams long given up on and put away. He also wanted to encourage us to believe, not just as we prayed this morning, but to keep on believing in the days ahead, even when things look dark and hopeless. For He will come through, and all that we pray in accordance with His will He hears and promises to grant those desires. (1 John 5).

I must now swallow my own medicine and keep on believing, keep on trusting, keep on hoping. God is for us, He will bring the victory forth in every situation.

May you know hope and be able to believe in every situation too. Be blessed : )