Category Archives: Wendy Hitchen

“The riches of your love, will always be enough”

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Lanie| Leave a comment

By Wendy Hitchen

Do you ever go through a phase where one song is constantly on your mind?

Currently, this is the one. It’s on repeat in our house and also we’ve sung it regularly at church over the last few months.

“My heart will sing no other name…” When I’m tempted to elevate the name of other things (riches, friendships, self interest) above His name, I want to sing His name only.

Jesus.

“The riches of Your love will always be enough…”  Finances, family, relationships can leave me thinking I don’t have all I want, but I choose to remember He is always enough.

 

Always.

Forever Reign

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Family

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Lanie| 1 Comment

I know that family is never perfect, even a loving family- afterall, it’s full of human beings! But I am realizing more and more that I am so blessed to be part of a wider family and I need to make the most of it.

I grew up in a family where I have always known unconditional love and acceptance. Sure, growing up with 3 younger brothers has meant that there have been disagreements (and there still sometimes are!), but we all know that our strong love for each other covers everything, even when we don’t agree on the details.

When I got married I became part of my husband’s family too, where I have also been welcomed and loved as one of their own.

But do I really appreciate how precious this is?

My husband and I have recently been through a family bereavement, which has challenged me afresh to enjoy these relationships and not take them for granted. Through the grieving process the family members have all been able to support each other and lean strongly on bonds forged over the years. The family of God has also been a real blessing… the church that we are a part of has rallied around us and it has been so much appreciated.

Sometimes it’s not until a time of loss that you truly appreciate the relationships that you have. But we should be appreciating them now!

So I encourage you to make the most of your family, to be grateful for them, even when they may be frustrating or annoying you….

 

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

 

From ‘For the beauty of the earth’ (Folliot Pierpoint, 1864)

 

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Light that banishes darkness

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Abby| 8 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

Recently my daily reading took me to John 8:12:

‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ (NIV)

And the words hit me, like a ton of bricks….. ‘will never walk in darkness’. Wow. Incredible. I don’t think I’ve read it properly before as this truth is pretty dramatic.

Is Jesus really saying that if we follow Him we’ll never walk in darkness? Yeah, He really is, because if He’s with us, and He’s the Light of Life, darkness ceases to exist in His presence.

That fresh realization has truly blessed me this week – there doesn’t need to be any darkness (which leads to fear) in my life. None at all! If I’m following Him, darkness will be gone in a flash. Thank you Jesus!

Now this doesn’t make tricky circumstances disappear or griefs dissipate, but it does mean that the Light of Life is with me though it all. And that helps me to regain perspective. Knowing He’s beside me immediately changes things. His light brings warmth, life and growth in my life and also into the lives of those that I come in contact with.

The comfort of knowing that Jesus chases darkness away (without fail, all the time) means that even though circumstances may be tough, they do not need to overcome me because the darkness is gone.

G.O.N.E.

So if you’re finding life tough, I invite you to read this passage again and be encouraged that whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness.

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Stop, Look, Listen

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Abby| 16 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

When I was a young girl, a programme was rolled out across the UK for road safety, called the Green Cross Code. It was drummed into us at school with videos, games and practical sessions. The strap line was:

‘Stop, Look, Listen’

I have many memories of crossing roads with my classmates and teacher, having followed the Green Cross Code. I still use it today when crossing a road! I’ve been thinking about this strap line as I re-read Ann Voskamp’s book ‘One Thousand Gifts’ and I’m being challenged to really appreciate life. She exhorts the reader to take time, everyday, to catch their breath and appreciate the gifts that are around them.  Through these times of observation, gratitude wells up, leading to peace in the midst of chaos, calm in the storm, hope in the dark.

Do I really do it?

I need to STOP. Even just for a short time, stop. While washing dishes at the kitchen window, while sorting laundry, while making a coffee at work, while travelling throughout the day. It doesn’t necessarily mean disappearing into a room on my own, it may just mean taking a deep breath, looking around and taking 5 minutes to gain perspective.

Then I need to LOOK. Look for the unexpected. The bird on a branch, the ray of sunlight, the child’s smile, the friends around me. There is always something to see, if I will just look.

And LISTEN. Listen for His voice. I can hear it in the wind, laughter, music, silence -  it is possible to hear Him in a busy workday or a manic day at home with a full schedule. It really is.

These 3 simple steps open up my heart to Him; they allow thankfulness to rise, they change my perspective and they teach me more about what it is to live step by step with my Maker.

So in the midst of the all the busy-ness, the packed diary, the mundane tasks, let’s all take time to stop, look and listen. Today.

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Feeling Needy?

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Abby| 20 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

Whilst watching a TV programme recently, a phrase jumped out at me, spoken by a vicar to her women’s group. She said… “Be needy women.” She was reinforcing the importance of needing each other’s company, of sharing hearts and ideas, joy and sorrows, experiences and aspirations.

I have thought on this time and again over the past few weeks, challenging myself on the importance, no, necessity of needing company, sharing, friends. I think that this 21st century world that we live in expects us to be self-sufficient, independent, capable individuals, who can handle anything alone. Anything less is seen as weakness or an inability to live as we ‘should’. THIS IS A LIE!!

We were not created to live a solitary life, we were created for relationship.
Ultimately for a relationship with the Father and Creator of all. But we were also
created to live in relationship with one another. For our relationships shape who we are, help us through the tough times, share in the joyous times.

‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’
Heb 10:24-25

I am realizing that I really NEED these relationships around me – I need my husband, my family, my church, my homegroupies, my friends, my colleagues, my neighbours. When times are tough I need them even more! However when times are tough it is easy to forget that and keep myself to myself when really I should be opening up to these people even more. They are often the ones who point me to my heavenly Father and help me to regain perspective.

And on the flip side, isn’t it great to feel needed? To find that when one of your
friends is finding life hard, that you can help? Often words aren’t necessary, just
being there, listening, cooking a meal etc can be enough. And to share in the happy times too -  their joys, their dreams, their hopes. It’s a privilege and an honour.

If we are not careful, we are in danger of trying to be so ‘perfect’ that we become
self-sufficient and forget the importance of needing others. I don’t want to fall into this trap – I’d rather have a more messy life but with people around me.

This year, my challenge is…to be a needy woman.

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Perfect Timing

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Abby| 9 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

‘But when the right time came, the time God decided on, He sent His Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that He could adopt us as His very own sons.’ (Gal 4:4 Living Bible Translation)

Every year, as Christmas approaches, I read the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus. And every year something different seems to catch my eye. This year I have been struck by the amount of verses in Luke’s retelling of the story that mention the word ‘time.’ I challenge you to read it again and read closely. What it says to me is that timing is really important and we should take note.

The first instance where Luke refers to the word ‘time’ is when the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah that he will have a son, even though he and his wife are past childbearing age. Gabriel says not to doubt his words but that they will come true at the ‘proper time’ (1:20). And they did! Soon after, Elisabeth fell pregnant and 9 months later, John was born. They must have been hoping and praying for a son for many years, and then he arrived in their old age! But his timing was important, as he prepared the way for Jesus in later years.

In another instance, Luke explains that once Mary and Joseph had arrived in Bethlehem, having been required to do so because of the census, ‘the time came for the baby to be born’ (2:6). This fulfilled a prophecy in the Old Testament foretelling the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). So the timing was important - Mary and Joseph needed to make a long journey to Bethlehem and Jesus was not born enroute…he was born at just the right time. In the right place. Fulfilling prophecy.

There are other verses that allude to timing but I will let you find them yourself. Looking at these well-known passages has reminded me that God has perfect timing.

For hundreds of years the Jewish people had been praying for a Messiah and they must have thought… ‘What is going on? We’ve prayed, we’ve fasted, we’ve held on to Your promises Lord, and still you haven’t come’. Did that mean that God had forgotten them? That He was running late?

NO!!!

He was waiting for the right time. The appointed time. The fullness of time. The time that He decided on. And it all came together in a dirty, dingy, smelly, pokey shed, in a small town in the Middle East. And the event changed the world.

It changed time too; it restarted our calendars and now that event marks the end of one era in world history, and the start of another.

So if you feel like the timing you had envisaged for a particular part of your life is not working out, be encouraged! It may not look like it now, but God’s timing is always perfect. I am so grateful for this fact and actually, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Hard Pressed

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Lanie| 10 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen


Hard Pressed on Every Side, But Not Crushed
Do you ever feel like you are being pressed on every side? Things are coming at you from all directions and no matter what you try to do about it, the pressing does not go away? Recently I have been feeling a bit like this, but having been to a conference recently on the topic of ‘abiding in the vine’, I’ve starting looking at this pressing in a new light.

We are told in John 15 that we are part of the Vine, Jesus, and we are to remain in Him. As I look at my life, I have always thought that the main outcome of abiding in the vine is the production of fruit. I think I’ve been wrong. The ultimate goal of a vine is not just to produce grapes, it is…to produce wine. Wine that tastes good, has a unique aroma, that can be savoured.

 

 

This wine, made from my life, will bless the Vinedresser (the Father) and others. Unbelievable but true! There is a process however that the grapes need to go though to become wine….the winepress.

The winepress is where the juice is extracted from the fruit. This pressing is, however, very measured. If the grapes are pressed too strongly then the pips are crushed, excess tannins released, and the wine spoilt. A winemaker knows exactly how much pressure the grapes can withstand to produce the maximum flavour and he will not exceed those limits.

So it is with my life. The Father harvests fruit from my life and makes wine from it, via the winepress. Through a measured pressing and no more. Sometimes this may feel like everything in my life that is fruitful is being squashed and pressed, but actually it’s the process that fruit needs to go through to make wine. Strange but true.

If you’re not feeling the press right now, that’s fine too – there are several different stages to making wine (growing grapes, harvesting, pressing, bottling, fermenting etc) and we all go through different stages at different times. However, if you feel that right now your life is being pressed, BE ENCOURAGED. He is making a fine wine from your life and rest assured, He will not over press you.

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Get away with me…

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Lanie| 12 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

 

Do you ever feel like your life is running away with you, that you’re being dragged along by its current and it all seems rather crazy? Life has been pretty hectic (but good!) for my husband and I since our new chapter began (see my blog posting in July). Now we are selling our old house, buying a new house, fixing the car, not to mention settling into new roles, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at times.

Whilst thinking and praying about it all recently, God took me to Matthew 11. Phew.

                  ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’
(Matt 11:28-30 The Message)

 

This translation words it so well. So often I think of these verses in my older Bible translation, the one which talks about yokes, and I think:

yokes + oxen + ploughing = hard work!

However, the Message translation doesn’t even mention yokes. It says, ‘get away with me and you’ll recover your life!’

me + Jesus + walking = Rest

Jesus is asking me to go where He goes, walk with Him. I’m realizing that if I look to Him, go to Him, stay attached to Him, I’ll have no choice but to enter rest. In the midst of my busy-ness, there is a chance to get away with Him and learn what true life is all about.

And it’s not even hard work! The Message calls it the ‘unforced rhythm of grace’. I just love that- Unforced. Rhythm. Grace. If ever there was a description of rest, this is it. So I’m heeding His call to ‘get away’ by choosing to not get caught up in my busy-ness and instead give time to Him. I’m yearning to learn more of this different rhythm, living freely in the midst of 21st century life.

 

 

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Quick to Listen

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Abby| 7 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get  angry. James 1 v 19.

Do you ever find yourself going to church on a ‘mission,’ with an agenda to accomplish? Recently I’ve realised that one of my agendas is nothing to be proud of. Lets call it my ‘Sunday hit list.’

On a Sunday morning I often compile a mental list of people that I ‘need’ to speak to. It sounds legitimate, but I have recently been convicted of how selfish it might be. My focus is working down the list and checking each person off. Too often that means that I am quick to speak, slow to listen.

Frighteningly, it gives little space for those who may actually need me to listen to them. Listening might involve very little talking on my part and may mean that the list cannot be checked off. In fact, some weeks it might mean spending all my time listening to one person that isn’t even on my list! 

Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Phil. 2:3-4.

The godly women that I look up to are all great listeners. That’s one of the things that marks them out. They always have time for me and don’t make me feel stupid when I start pouring out my heart. They make me feel special and give time to our conversations. Quality time. They certainly don’t have an agenda. These women know what it is to listen, and in doing so they impact my liife.

My desire is to be a really good ‘listener’. Now I know that it won’t happen overnight, but I do have a great teacher- my Father is the ultimate listener. He listens to me endlessly. He puts up with my moans and groans, my rants and raves and my half constructed sentences. And He never says a word out of turn. Focusing on Him is the best way to take the focus off myself and my agenda, learning from His example as I relate to those He puts into my path.

So I’m going to begin this Sunday. With His help I want to to forget ‘hit lists’ and instead to focus on listening. Then, and only then, do I want to open my mouth and speak the words that He helps me to speak.

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The End of a Chapter

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Abby| 12 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

Tomorrow marks the end of a chapter.  Tonight is the last night where I sit downstairs doing my own thing while my husband studies for his degree upstairs in the quietness of the spare room. Tomorrow morning he hands in his dissertation.  And this chapter in our life, the one titled ‘Bible College’, closes. We will celebrate together in various ways over the next couple of weeks, for this is something to celebrate. A real achievement.

As I look back over my life, I see that it is composed of several chapters. Some have been harder than others. However as I look back, I am reminded that the most challenging chapters have actually aided to deepen my walk with the precious Saviour, and change me from the inside out.

This last chapter, the Bible College chapter, the biggest chapter of our married lives, came as a complete surprise to me. Out of the blue one day in the autumn of 2007, my husband mentioned God was stirring his heart to study. I was not convinced. Not at all. Incredibly, my attitude totally changed. Over several  months it became clear that God was guiding my husband and I out of our steady, stable careers, and leading him into fulltime Bible study. When we visited the Bible College in question, my heart leapt. I knew that this next chapter was for us after all!

Three years still sounded like a long time. It meant leaving our jobs, renting out our house, moving to another town and another church, making new friends, and for my husband, studying again. It turned out that we ended up moving twice as the Bible College moved after a year! So we had another house to pack, another church to get to know and more friends to make.

The upshot? We have had a WONDERFUL three years. It has had its stresses at times, but largely it has been a joy from start to finish. My relationship with my husband is better than ever. We have learnt what it means to be there for each other in a new way. We have made some amazing friends. Already they have taught me so much as I see them work out their salvation in front of me. What an incredible blessing.  I have experienced a deeper walk with Jesus too, trusting Him in new ways and knowing His bountiful provision on all fronts. I have been reminded time and time again that He knows what is best for me. I can truly say….

“The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places” (Ps 16 v 6).

The chapter which I thought was a ‘no-go’ when it was first mentioned has become a truly defining chapter in my life. I am so grateful that God whispered into my heart and used various circumstances to enable me to see that this was the way forward. Not the way that I had planned, but the way that He had planned.  I am so glad for this ‘adventure’ (as my husband calls it), and I can look forward to the next chapter. Even though I am not entirely sure what it will look like, I know that the next chapter is guaranteed to be authored by the One who knows me best and has prepared the perfect life-story for me. So I look forward with anticipation.

 

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