Life in Australia

Time past so fast, we have been moved to Australia for nearly 2 years and 4 months. It still seems yesterday when we said goodbye in the airport.

As you might think, life here is simpler and we might have more time. Yes, I do have more time but I still don’t find enough time to use.

After my beautiful girl born, I really don’t have much time concept, all I know is only how many months she now is and how she progress each day. Thank God for giving Chloe to our family, through her growth, I am amazed on how God create us. Also through teaching her, I understand God’s patience when HE is teaching me.

I am now working part-time as a physiotherapist in a near-by clinic, the boss and the salary are good and the best of all is no work pressure. I still have time for Chloe and my housework.
I really can experience God’s closeness here as HE always provides more than enough for our family. As we have no relative here, HE gives us brothers and sisters from church that act like families. The reason why we can adapt to Australia so quick is because GOD is with us. HE makes us understand that no matter where we are, HE is always with us. Whenever we pray, HE will listen, so even though we are in a strange country and start with nothing, we still have peace.

Recently, I am reading a book named “ A women’s walk with God”, in the book the author mention about peace in our life. She said there is always pressure around us. We never seem to have enough time – pressure! We want to do well as a spouse and a parent – pressure! We are called to be good stewards of finances and effective manager of a home – pressure! All these pressure squeeze out the peace of God. She used the example of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:40). Martha focused on the service to Jesus, which make her busy and complain while Mary focused on Jesus himself and make her peaceful. I realized myself acted like Martha very often and all my focus is on the work I need to accomplish. I spend much less time with God though that is the most important thing. I echo with the following words written by Nancy Stitzel.

I’m Busy, Lord!
I’m Busy, Lord. Surely You can see
The thousand things that wait for me!
The dishes still lie in the sink –
I cannot stop to pray and think.

Lord, I know You understand,
For you gave these children to my hand;
And now they cry and need me so,
Lord, You understand. I’d better go.

Now I’ve got them all to sleep,
I’d better dust and mop and sweep.
I must thaw out the meat for stew,
And the ironing is long overdue!

And kindly my Lord answered me,
“Why do you from My presence flee?
I have so much for you today.
My child, I want to hear you pray.

“I love you, child; I want you here
To rest and listen – to shed a tear.
What if Paul had stopped to say,
“Lord, I’m too busy to write letters today!”?

“No, my child, I’m what you need,
Through household duties you can speed,
Yet when you’re through, there’s emptiness
If this quiet time you miss.”

Oh, thank you, Lord, for showing me
How much I need to wait on Thee.
For what’s an undone dish or two
Compared with sharing time with you?!

May you and I not saying we are too busy and know the best of all is spend more time with God.

Vivian
(Australia)