Christian · Christian Journey · Lessons Learned · Uncategorized

Pointless Planning vs. Timeless Trust

Stop Planning Kdeen Wildman blog

Have you ever felt like things are about to turnaround for you and you begin to think, “This is my chance to finally get my life together – get fit, eat right, quit my job, launch out and follow my dreams.” I’ve been there before and alas! I’m often disappointed by surprises from the unknown and life’s eventualities.

You see life happens, ALL the time! Stuff you never planned for and would prefer not to happen, pop-up a bit too often – seasons of illness, financial constraints and debt, car trouble, work stress, family turmoil, loss of a loved one – there’s always something to derail one’s rose-coloured vision of the perfect life. Such things we simply cannot plan or prepare ourselves for. We don’t know which crisis will hit, and at what inopportune time they will occur. Life just happens, whenever it does.

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All Things in Common (ATIC) Shop · Christian · Lessons Learned · Uncategorized

My Thrift Story

my thrift story-aticsmc-kdeenw

Too Much Stuff

I never liked to have anything in excess, such as stuff packed up, probably to never again see the light of day, while accumulating more stuff. “There must be better use for my under-utilized possessions”, I thought. I also considered that there were persons who would love to have the clothes, shoes, bags, etc. that I had packed away gathering dust.

Nothing to wear

Then, there were often times, even with a packed closet, that I simply couldn’t find an outfit suitable for an upcoming event…what a waste! The thrill of going out to shop was often eclipsed by lack of money or time. So, I would resort to my sisters’ closets. And there I found, not only a wealth of options, but alas a plight similar to mine and to an even greater extent – Closets overflowing with out-dated, out-sized, brand new and barely worn clothes. I longed for a change, less clutter and hoarding. I wanted to adopt a minimalist lifestyle, as least in my wardrobe. I dreamt of ‘Closet-freedom’. And I wanted my loved ones, and as many other women, suffering under the weight of piles of clothes, shoes and handbags, to experience this freedom too.

Surprise Thrifting

Buying second-hand clothing caught me by surprise while I was studying in the UK. I honestly didn’t know that’s what ‘thrift’ meant! *covers face* #dontjudgeme. I just thought “these clothes are nice, and so cheap, and they fit!” I still wear those thrifted pieces years later.  Upon returning home, there wasn’t such an outlet for thrifting as far as I was aware. This was my perfect opportunity -“why not do it yourself?” Hence, I’ve embarked on a journey to provide a convenient way for persons to give away or sell clothing from their own closets, along with motivation and support throughout the decluttering process.

Let’s Simplify

Simple is always best, in my book.  Therefore, I aspire to have a simple rotating closet of a few loved, versatile, quality pieces for every occasion based on my lifestyle. Will you join me in this venture? If something has done it’s time in your closet, but is still in great shape, it may a wonderful new addition to someone else’s wardrobe. And even if it’s a bit tattered or out-dated, that item of clothing or accessory can be repaired, re-designed or re-purposed. You just need a bit of imagination and creativity.

Let’s share the love!

Here’s to the beginning of:

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Family Relationship · Hurt & Pain · poetry

Apologetic Touch

KdeenW Hands

We drive in silence for minutes

Suddenly he reaches over and rests his hand on my leg

As I respond, he grabs my hand and our fingers intertwine

I feel compassion, as my heart warms, and we embrace emotionally just by holding hands

Every ought I had against him melts away, and I accept his touch as a sincere unspoken apology

It is his affirmation that he never means to hurt me in any way.

He loves me and I love him more than to hold a grudge

I love him more than my pride

Every hurt vaporizes just by his touch

And nothing else matters but our love.

 

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Uncategorized

Trying to save the world

save the world (2)

I’ve realized that I can’t be there for everyone who needs help.

There’ll be obligations that I just can’t make and times when I have to say ‘no’ .

I can’t save the world.

I can barely keep my own life in order!

I’ve realized that I won’t meet all my deadlines or do things perfectly the first time.

There will be weeks when my laundry piles up to the ceiling and my bedroom is upside down.

There’ll be days when I can’t find the will to eat healthy.

Yes, for a moment I’ll fantasize about waking at 5:00am for a walk but instead hit the snooze button 10 times.

Some days I’ll be late, and stuck in traffic, and on another day I’m on the wrong side of the law, getting a speeding ticket.

A time will come when I’m so flustered, I freak out for the slightest thing, and then I’ll have times when I couldn’t care less/

I’ll endure seasons of feeling like a failure and being overwhelmed with life.

There’ll be months when I don’t bother to make a budget, because I know it simply won’t balance.

Sometimes I’ll prepare an everlastingly long ‘To-do’ list and barely make through even one task by the end of the day.

There are times when I’ll wonder if I’m really making progress, and achieving anything worthwhile because it feels like I’m spinning around in circles, running around like a headless chicken.

Saving the world

But I believe that as long as I keep going, I have another day to set things in order. I have another chance to make meagre ends meet. I have another prayer and so much hope for the future. Because, for every overwhelming reality, I serve a sovereign God who reassures me that He’s got this! I don’t need to save the world, because He already did.

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Christian · Christian Journey · Hurt & Pain · Lessons Learned · Uncategorized

Spoilt Plants

Spoilt-Plants-KDeen

My mom was away for a few weeks, and I was tasked with watering her plants, among other things. This is not something I normally do, and I actually forgot that the plants needed watering until a few days into her being away. Finally when I remembered I got on it. Then I missed a couple days. The next time I watered, I noticed some of the plants with shriveled leaves pointing downward. And I thought “What spoilt plants! Why do they need to be watered EVERYDAY?! Can’t they survive on what they got a couple days before?” Other plants stood up to the heat of the sun, but these shriveled ones apparently weren’t so strong, and needed more care.

A week later, I experienced one of my worst weeks in a while. I’ve had bad days, but this time, it was a bad week. Money challenges, damaging my car by reversing in a metal post, demands on my time from the ministry, and packed work days. My day would start horrible and end a bit cheerful, or start great and end with me bursting into tears. By Friday, I was a blubbering mess. I needed help! I needed someone to rescue me. I was that plant with dried up, withered leaves, bending over under the pressure of life. I struggled to smile. My tears were flowing freely, all Friday morning, as I took on another busy day of meetings and emails.

I cried out and God came to my rescue. I felt watered by the end of the day. I was refreshed and uplifted as my darling husband left work early to run errands for me, and my mentor encouraged and prayed for me. I made headway with my other tasks. Though the pathway is still not clear, my emotions are no longer in turmoil over the life’s challenges. I will trust God each day, and I have no doubt that He will make a way.

I watered the plants Sunday morning, with sympathy for those withered plants. They needed rescuing, and I was there for that.  I was more than happy to give them their much needed drink of water, and felt pleased to see those which were already responding to their refreshing, by standing a little taller, leaves spread out like open palms, and raised upwards. Yes, the plants too, gave God thanks for His blessings.

Spoilt-Plants-Before-After_Kdeen

So sometimes we need to be rescued, because life gets too much to bear. If you are in need of a refreshing, God is able to take you through the storm. If you can, find someone to talk to, who can pray with and encourage you. We need each other to make it.

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25

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