Listening to “When your minds made up” by Glenn Hansard
My mind today is all about this passage. There is such distinct truth in this verse and not just in reference to my walk with God. As soon as I got my P plates I was down the south coast every second weekend. Surfing big empty walls, pretty much all by myself. I had little to no consideration of whether or not people knew where I was. In all honesty my sole concern was seeking out that next perfect reef break. That inexplicable feeling as you bend your back knee slightly, and watch a curtain of water cascade over you. The chase to make it out, and the odd sensation of elation when you do, and physical pain when you don’t.
That was my world. That was my journey. I felt in control. I am no sage (herb or wise person…you choose). Although I feel that my life has been made up of distinctly different journeys. Not always of my choice too. A child’s journey is really out of their control to a point. Hence the heavy responsibility of a parent to try to choose well, so their children have a great journey.
We don’t always though, and that is life. We are bound by imperfect humanity. I know if I tried to portray myself as perfect to my sons, I would just end up portraying frustration and disappointment.
When I had my first son, I looked at how I was with myself, and vowed not to be like that with him. What I mean by this is that I don’t give myself much slack, pretty self judgemental and would classify myself as systematic in my approach to issues in life. What I never wanted to do was to push those values (flaws) onto my son, and now my sons.
They are there own wonderful, beautiful people. They will learn there own ways of solving problems. I will help them in every possible way I can without disempowering them of there right to try and fail, and eventually succeed.
I have found in my life and work, that the sense of being micro-managed is possibly one of the most dis-empowering and self deflating feelings. So instead I try to step back and watch how they will respond or act. Hold off for that extra 5 more seconds, then help. (as long as they are not in harms way, of course)
My mind is east, south, north and west today.
I am not sure why Jesus decided to say this to Simon Peter (prophesy of his martyrdom) as there were other disciples there with the same fate. I do know that there was a moment in Peter’s life where he looked at the things around him, as seemingly impossible as they were, and decided to step out. When all the other disciples stood on the deck of the boat, Peter stepped out. Out onto the water.
What was running through his mind just before his foot hit that water, fear, faith, and awe. What a feeling when he set him foot down and stood, when everyone looking on apart from Jesus thought he would sink.
There are some moments in this journey when we are faced with seemingly impossible decisions. When your heart is screaming inside, when your mind is a dust storm and the only clarity you have is that inner unction saying “do it…” That is when we are defined, when we do step out.
I want to teach my son’s that in life they need to believe in themselves and the spirit of God within them, and step out. I remember hearing Rick Shelton say “The key to good leadership is not caring what other people think…” This gets more and more profound as the days and years go on.
If your reading this and you feel God telling you can walk on water, practice in the pool first before you step out off a boat 
