So it's the end of 2011??? My Reflection!

So another year is about to end and I am once again sitting pondering just what to get out of this year. The year after the 2010 or as I call it 1.5 year (maths people might get what I mean).

2011 started just like any other year. It started with lots of hope in a year ahead, a quest to improve myself, and a love of people and all things music.

Then the floods came. Now I don’t think it was big enough to get an ark and in comparison to Qld and all that was tragic up north. It meant that I spent some time doing what I know best, helping others who needed help rather than care about my life.

Work wise it was much the same and although I was not to know of the challenges ahead, I was excited about what was to be an interesting year in retrospect.

One of the rare positives of this year, have been joining a wonderful group of young musicians in the Territorial Big band of the Salvation Army in Melbourne. These guys and girls are amazing in a number of ways and led by Brian they have reengaged my love for too things sharing the gospel with whoever I see and playing the wonderful music of Big band and Jazz. This led to some amazing moments across the year, and has developed many good friendships along the way.

I wish looking back on the first part of the year, that I was able to see what I see now, as this was shaping up to be the biggest challenge that I have faced in a long time. For those of you who follow me on Twitter and Facebook, you would have noticed quite a dark period of my life around June and July. What many of you won’t realise is the extent that life was eating me up. As I’m going for an honest account, I think it’s important to share some of this with you. My Hero, the person I have always looked up to for life advice before anyone else, the person who to me is one of the toughest guys I know became sick, very sick.

For my family this was something that we had never had to deal with and because it was not a physical sickness but one of the mind, we had no idea how to deal with it, what to do, who to turn to and how to pull ourselves out of the hole. It was really six weeks of frustration, lots of tears, an ordeal that took a huge amount of a toll on my physical and mental wellbeing. Luckily, there was a moment of growth in this season of life. This moment is when I realised just how amazing some of my friends were. They wiped the tears from my eyes, sat with me, showed me that life will go on and most of all, showed support to my family and myself in more ways than I could imagine and ever repay.

Professionally, I have worked on many music projects this year. Some have involved me working for many hours often for nothing more than seeing others do what I feel are amazing jobs performing and displaying their skills to all that came to watch. 2012 is shaping up to being much the same.

So how do I feel about the end of 2011 and start of 2012? Well I am happy to see the end of 2011. I have considered it one of my worst years in general, but can see that there are many positives to celebrate as well.

2012 for me is hopefully going to be a continuation of the journey that is life. I hope to continue doing the professional aspects of my music and continue to develop my skills and also play and write more and more for myself and others, so that I can find some fulfilment in this amazing skill.

I hope to improve my teaching beyond what I have already done over 2011. I’m used to going over and beyond because I believe that is important to students and to the growth of education, but there is a line and I haven’t quite found it in the sand yet. Hopefully 2012 will erode it a bit for me.

I hope to find some new friends and reignite some old friendships. I have learnt this year, that some people I previously spent a great investment in, are maybe not the people that I care to focus on developing life with in 2012. If this is you and you read this, know that I have enjoyed our times together, but sometimes in life people close doors and sometimes they are slammed shut. Sometimes the slammed doors have woken in me a need to not try and open those doors but leave them closed. Thankfully the slamming of some doors has led to others creaking open and those doors I look forward to investigating in 2012.

As in all years, I have read a lot of books, shared a lot of thoughts, given deep insight and sometimes cracked a smile at life. I have cried, sighed, shook my head, lots fights, won battles, learnt that life is like war but mostly in peace, fought for what I thought was important and let the little things pass me by. I have loved, lost, turned away, brought others closer and most of all, learnt that some things are important in life and others, are merely steps to a greater prize.

To you I wish you all a wonderful New Year and 2012. May the year not be one in which we regret challenges and life, but may it be a year that we embrace those moments and celebrate a life that hopefully gives you a greater insight to who you are, what you want to be and how much you all mean to me.

Love you all XOX

Don.

Post Halls gap and Christmas

Hi all,
Sorry about the very long delay in posting, but I must bring all of my readers up to date.
The Bigband was really firing on all cylinders on the saturday night and I'm happy to say that my playing was able to keep up with what was going on in my head. I believe they could hear me from the pinnacle which is not a huge when you are playing at the bottom of the mountain range and it echoes but exciting non the less.
The Sunday morning though was a little bit more eventful. I had concerns my car was playing up and what was to happen possibly was a disaster for me but comedy for a lot of other people. My car stopped dead in the middle of Grampians Rd an hour before I was to hit the stage. The Mechanic told me it could be a timing belt.... great; that equals some money to repair... Well the RACV came to the party and a tow truck with me in it and the car on the back, made a journey from Halls Gap back to Mildura.. It was in Ouyen when we discovered that a touch (mine) had possibly caused it and that it could be worse than I thought.

Well fast forward to now. It took 7 weeks to get my car back. In the end it cost me just over $4000 and out of it I have basically got a brand new head for my car, new seals and new pumps and gaskets etc.... it pretty well blew apart the engine..... so in the end, it was a rather frustrating journey from Halls Gap to Now.

Musically and spiritually it was an amazing weekend and I encourage you all to keep an ear out for the Territorial Bigband of the Salvation Army.

TODAY is Christmas day! The day that christians mark the birth of Jesus Christ hence CHRISTmas.

I had the amazing honour of playing for both the morning service and also for the community lunch that we put on each year. This year had over 150 people at it.

Below is a presentation I performed for them, I made the vid out of some stock photos I had found.....

Enjoy!

Don.

Halls Gap 1

Well I've settled in and had a peaceful night in Halls Gap all ready for a great weekend of Gigging with the Southern Territory Bigband. It's going to be a great weekend and hopefully the 5 hours I spent on the road yesterday getting here will be only a minor point in this weekend. I was greeted by a heap of Kangaroos on the front lawn of the motel last night and one even came right up to the door.... The view out the window is amazing and the sun is so beautiful coming over the mountain.

Most of the guys are coming up from Melbourne today and we have a rehearsal later this afternoon... I hope the lip holds out. It should be a great gig and then tomorrow is all about leading worship and doing some performance pieces, then it is home.

I will try and right updates across the weekend!

Just unpacking my bags

I've been really struggling lately to really get a handle and a firm grip on my life. I was away for the weekend and couldn't help but feel that something was really weighing me down.

It was in this real time of dissapointment and despair that I stumbled across this great video about baggage.

For me this was a real message from God and as the tears began to flow from my eyes it was then in that moment of clarity that I recieved the blessing of this video and also the message from God that I really needed to address this.

For months now, slowly I have been so busy that I have neglected myself and my own wellbeing. The stress of life has been so great that I really put all of my energy into making sure everyone was ok... Now is the time that I change that. The line that really stood out for me was just how much of a lie 'Sticks and Stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me'. The Reality is it's not just the names; it's the thoughts, the pain, the denial, the rejection, the dissapointments, the struggles the broken dreams; All of these take a little bit of our spirit away and we end up being lost, exhausted, vunerable and lonely.

I have had conversations with people where the simple question of 'How are you?' is masked with a ignorant and neglected and maybe dishonest Yes everything is fine, I'm doing well... The reality is though that each time that happened a new piece of baggage was added to my travel weight.

The illustration that comes to mind is when you collect the baggage from the carousel at the airport... If you don't touch it, it just rolls on by, it has your name on it but without picking it up it's just a labelled bag. It is when you reach and pick it up that you take that bag and own it...... For us as travellers (Ilove travelling by the way), there is a weight limit. and The importance of this is so that the plane can be balanced and correctly fuelled to make the journey. We in life don't seem to apply that so we just take more and more on until we can't move off the tarmac let alone the runway.

But the answer my friends is simple. Jesus hung on a cross, and I like to think that when he was hanging there for me, he actually said my name and said to me... Come here, I see you are tired and I see you are hurt, but I am here on this cross because I love you this much... and with his arms outstretched he then looks me in the eyes and says, give me your bags and let me carry them for you.

Is it time for you to unpack this baggage and get rid of it... There is only one way to do this and it doesn't involve wearing the bags.

www.skitguys.com/videos/item/baggage-skit

Looking for the small things in times of trouble

Well it's been a few weeks of the exhausting rollercoaster ride that is coming to terms with a family member who is suffering a mental illness.

For me this time has been a time of very deep sorrow and at times strong hope in a outcome which would be amazing and just what I expect.

The reality is for me and my family is that as we have investigated this issue further and the more tests that are done, I realise just how long in this journey there still is to go, and it's going to only become more of a burden on my mental health.

The support is amazing and as a family, it is amazing to know that people truly care and want to help. To face reality is a harsh consequence of life sometimes and it is compounded when the person doesn't think that they are sick. No one will ever probably know the cause and effects but we as a family grieve that the person we once knew is no longer her and the person they have become (even for this short time) is such a stranger to us that we live in surreal world.

I continue to be broken, sad, frustrated, hopeful and unwaining in my faith, but as the time pushes on, I am constantly asking God why this has happened and to give myself and my entire family the strength to cope.

As I try to live a 'normal' life I know that my life is far from 'normal' at the moment. I have two requests at this time... 1. Pray for my Family and if you are a close friend, feel free to skype or call and I will be happy to talk. 2. Never leave a moment in time by not telling the people you love how much you love and cherish them. One day they could be perfect, the next day you could be dealing with a situation way beyond you or anyone else's control.

Life is a struggle but God has Control

So I am facing the darkness of this world. My heart is broken and my mind is wishing that I could just rewind this life to a point where happiness and peace reigned. But as I sit and write this blog, my heart is heavy and my faith is challenged. However when I turn to Jesus and I give my all to him, I know that he carries me. I pray for my Dad tonight! He is not well. He is suffering in a way that is so hard to witness and although I know that mental health is one of things that doesn't matter until we don't have it, but for my family at this time, we are broken. God as reminded me of a wonderful promise:

6 Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.Philippians 4

Tonight my prayer is these words by Stanley Ditmer

1. I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me;

The God I serve is one who cares and understands.

Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me,

Of this I am assured:

I'm in his hands.

Chorus

I'm in his hands,

I'm in his hands;

Whate'er the future holds

I'm in his hands,

The days I cannot see

Have all been planned for me;

His way is best, you see;

I'm in his hands.

2.What though I cannot know the way that lies before me?

I still can trust and freely follow his commands;

My faith is firm since it is he that watches o'er me;

Of this I'm confident:

I'm in his hands.

3.In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient,

When I have yielded to the law of love's demands;

Why should I doubt that he would evermore be present

To make his will my own?

I'm in his hands!

drawing a line in the sand!

Lately I have felt the need to draw lines in the sand as far as my opinions and others about many of the issues of life that I seem to find myself either defending or looking at the accountability of actions.

I stand firm on my moral judgement or code, I stand with integrity and know that eventhough I make mistakes, I try my best to live up to the values that I claim to believe in.

I am proud that I'm different from most or at least seemingly most people. That I will not just follow the crowd, but stand on the values that I believe are important and not run away from the important parts of my life just to keep others happy.

I pray for those people who knock me for being who I am. I pray that they are safe and that they find happiness and fufilment in their lives. After all who am I to stop them, they have free will, I am just a humble man who looks at the eternal impact of situations rather than living the moment. One thing I am not is sorry.

Whirlwind Adventures can only define my life for a small time

It's amazing when I look over my holidays and realise that in the last two weeks, I been to three capital cities, met probably thousands of people, travelled in 5 planes and a car with only my brain and some CD's to keep myself occupied and then when I stop, my brain decides to stall and my body decides to let me get a cold. Nothing like stopping really. I suppose I am still to learn the lesson of slowing down more slowly. I am almost like the jet that decides to land on an aircraft carrier. If it doesnt stop it will just keep on zooming along the deck.

I must say that in my weekend trip to Adelaide it was great to catch up with friends that I haven't seen since leaving uni. Some of those friends were special in my life and in some ways, seeing them again just made my life feel so exciting. I missed some people I normally see this time around, but I know that I will be back over there real soon. I have once again been reminded just how much I love that city. If live takes a new direction you never know........ :P

Well I'm home! I'm back at work and in a strange way, I have missed work so much. I really am in this one for the long haul it seems :D

What a trip!

Wow!!!! I have had a crazy and inspiring week. I jetsetted to Melbourne for the second rehearsal with the Territorial Bigband. This is so fun to play in and I'm really enjoying the challenges that come with it as well as the friendship and laughs that happen along the way. I then jetsetted again early on the Sunday morning to Sydney for the Mtec2011 Conference. This was my first ever trip to Sydney and as soon as I touched down and walked out of the airport arrival area, I found myself suddenly buzzing with the high that is Sydney. I got lost in the street tyring to find where I was staying but after doing a couple of walk pasts, I noticed the sign and dumped my stuff. I then shot into the city, discovered my natural compass was working great and found myself looking at the opera house and harbour bridge in no time... Then it was on the ferrie to Manley and dinner and then home. Monday was pretty much 7am to 11pm hanging with the Mtec2011 people and I am happy that I was about to get 6 hours or so sleep a night even if my body clock was waking me up at 5am. Mtec is truly something that has inspired me on many levels. It presented a few challenges in both my teaching life and my life as a musician that I have been able to seek advice but also focus on the things I do well. I have decided that in a couple of future blogs I might share my philosphy of teaching, learning and education. It is something that before this conference I always felt was just something I should keep to myself, however it has created in me a feeling of need to share these with people as we all try and survive in this maze that is teaching and inspiring young people to make something good out of wherever they come from in life. Last night I made a decision which at the time seemed great, but afterwards although noble was probably very dangerous. Without thinking I stepped up to a person smashing a vending machine and calmly spoke to them about the actions they were commiting. I know in hindsight looking at the situation, just how close I came to being labelled a victim, but I believe it is important to although with compassion, keep people accountable of their actions. I do not know what happened to this person after they swore at me and the train guards and then went off into the night, however I hope that they can look at themselves and see that at least for that moment someone cared enough to try and assist them to make a wise choice. Others there made what I'm sure they believed to be a wise choice by not getting involved but a line was crossed and instinct took over. This trip is nearly at an end. As I write this, I am in the Qantas flyer area of the terminal with my trusty instruments sitting quietly next to me. I have a brain full of stories, experiences, questions and most of all insights into what this world of education has to offer.

Promotion to Glory for a great lady!

In the early hours of yesterday morning Heaven recieved a wonderful soul. Jean Moyle was a wonderfully lady. She was one of those ladies who never asked for anything in return for the wonderful things that she did for others, was always willing to share her knowledge and most of all was a wonderful inspiration to not only me but to everyone she interacted with. Many stories could be told about how Jean impacted the lives of others but for me it was her interest in my life that will always remain a centrepoint of my thoughts for her. If it was a kind word or even just asking what I was doing in my life, she always demonstrated to me the qualities that are to be shown in a holy and divine life. Jean you may be Heaven now with Steve but to all the people who know you, you are still in our hearts and thoughts as we feel just a little more Homesick knowing that we have to stay here for now... RIP Jean Moyle

Because He Lives

Today marked my first rehearsal with the Territorial Bigband of the Salvation Army based in Melbourne under the directorship of Brian Hogg. I've had a blast (literally and metaphorically) today and really feel that it's going to be exciting and amazing.

On the Train back into the city, the song (of course as a bigband arrangement for the future) Because He Lives was playing inside my head.

I especially Like the line of the refrain, Because He Lives I can Face Tomorrow!

Over the last few months it has been a season in which if I could just get myself motivated I knew that I would be able to face whatever was happening in my life.

I was reminded just how important it is to thank God for everything, everyday and every moment.

It is because He lives, that I can stand and face the stresses, anxieties and rejoice in the wonders that is my Life.

Today I was reminded that it's great to hang out with positive people, hopefully there are manymore of these moments to come.

BECAUSE HE LIVES, I KNOW THAT I CAN NOT ONLY FACE TOMORROW BUT LIVE IT IN HONOUR OF HIM!!!!!

A reminder for me.

LIFE IS BLESSED EVEN IN THE BAD TIMES!

A new nephew for Me came into the world today!

Liam John Maskell

8 pound 4

1.3.2011 8:20am

The Truth is hiding!!

Sometimes I sit and wonder (I know I do it all the time, but work with me here) just what it is that make people so scared to face up to their convictions and actually say what needs to be said (the truth) instead of making a story that seems on the surface so true but is filled with lies and deceit once looked into.

On more than one occasion this week I have had to deal with serious and sometimes malicious rumour. What is sad is that if the truth was spoken people involved would see the clarity of the situation and how to come to a solution so that everybody could move on.

What's worse is that for some reason, I have had to deal with this because God choose me to be a leader. He choose me to stand up for people, stand up for the morals that I have placed on my life because of the life he is guiding me to lead and to face the criticism that comes with this.

I am not a saint, I am not a perfect person, but I strive to live by three philosophies and these are what they are:

Honesty: To be honest to God, Myself and to Others

Respect: To respect myself, my Life, Everyone that comes into my life and to respect their choices even if I do occasionally offer them guidance or an alternative...

Try my Best/Integrity: To try my best in everything means to not stop before the finish line when I have to finish the race (life) and to not take for granted that if I don't I am selling out on not only God and myself, but all those people who rely on me to be a good leader.

I don't ask for much... just for people to be honest, have integrity and treat people how they would want to be treated...

Please be at least Honest!

mmmmm when people pay out my chosen career

I happen to have chosen a career that I feel is both the most noble and also the most hated position in communities, well at least that's how it feels sometimes. Teaching for me is about inspiring and teaching young people to not only live life to the fullest and take every opportunity but to also do it to the best of their ability, learning how to apply lifeskills learnt to lifeskills living....

So I stumbled across this great quote tonight which I believe might just put this job into perspective. My Career is the forerunner to every other career, for it is the humble people who give up their lives and time to make sure that people can choose a career they believe they are born to do.

If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job.

~Donald D. Quinn

The Stream

As I imagine a gentle stream flowing, I remember that life just like the water does not stop flowing not even around the rocks that place themselves in our way.

The above thought came to me in my reflection time this evening.

We are often 'blocked' by the things in our lives that are like walls for us reaching what life has intended for us.... We are so caught up in the wall that we forget the formidable force that is the gentle pushing of the water or will.

I am reminded of the giants of history who often faced adversity to overcome the odds. I think of the stream of life that gives me the water of the spirit of God to live a life that is in his image and I also think of those barriers that I have overcome and will overcome in the future.

The power of Water is something that I have always loved. The fact that it breaks down the rock overtime eroding it to the point where it crumbles or bores a hole so that water can pass through, over and around it.

The Stream flows gently, but underneath the current is strong.... May our lives do that.... Be peaceful on the outside by challenged on the inside to do great things with the right intention.

Looking through Glass

I don't know if you do this but I do... I find that in moments of clarity I visualise looking at the situation through polished glass. I find life is like that... sometimes the things that bother us as far as our not understanding can be seen much clearly if we remove ourselves and look at it from outside.

Lately I have found myself approaching many crossroads and trying to work out just what path to take. It is interesting though that I have also found the answers by not jumping into it, but by being patient on what God has to tell or show me....

Once I look at it with that mindset, things are shown to me which assist me in this process.. This is true of my life of late and I hope that with this challenge will be true in yours.

God promises to never leave us or forsake us, so in humbleness I sit with God to help me make decisions.... I am not apologetic if they are unpopular, because sometimes they have to occur for us to grow...

Peace!

I WISH I HAD THAT 10 Seconds again!!!

Ever had one of those short fragments of time and just when the right thing could of made the difference you just blurted out something that doesn't help at all???

I've had a couple of these lately. Oh how I wish I could just stop time rewind and say what should of been said. But the reality is I can't and then you end up sitting there for hours stewing over what could of happened or how someone could of felt better but what you just said.

Life is like that sometimes, we always want everything to be perfect and memorable for the right reasons. When we hit the wall or we realise just unperfect our world is, we sit and wonder what could be if we had our time again.....

Well it's too late now and if I did this to you I'm sorry... You're Amazing because you're you and that's all that matters!

Wish I had the chance

I have been thinking lately a great deal about the importance of family and the memories that we share in those moments.

I unfortunately never met any of my grandparents. They all sadly passed on before I was born. This in itself is not uncommon amongst people I'm sure but for me as I've got older and interested in my family history really feel that I didn't get to experience the precious moments in my life that oncan be shared by having your grandparents around (to maybe spoil you) :P

This led to the following song. My latest composition! The words are below.

Wish I had the chance!

Composer: Donald Mayne

1.

I look at the pictures on the wall.

They have so much history, but it don't seem real at all.

I wish that I met you in your time.

The sound of silence, is broken by the chime.

Pre- Chorus:

And I wish you got to hold me in your arms.

The way I hold the pictures from the past.

Chorus:

But the only memories,

Are the ones that people tell,

They’re only distant stories,

From the ones who knew you well.

But I know that when I look up,

To the heavens up above.

You look right back down from heaven,

And send right back down your love.

2.

I Know that God had called you home.

I think it was to soon, but I guess I must be wrong.

I hope that you'd be proud of me.

I tried to be the best, the best that I could be.

Pre Chorus & Chorus

3.

I look at all the faded photographs,

I see your smiling faces, they stare right at me.

I wipe off the dust away from you.

Then look to heaven, and let my thoughts run free

Pre Chorus & Chorus

Tag:

You look right back down from heaven,

And send right back down your love.

Copyright © 2011 Donald Mayne

The Update!

For those who have been reading my blogs of late would know some of the story of my dad's illness. The update for you all is a real positive one. Yesterday Dad got great news he could drive again. This is the first time since his stroke at the end of October that he has been able to get behind the wheel. This is a huge milestone for this saga as it marks a great milestone as to the recovery of this devastating situation.

Dad has also got some very positive news about just how lucky he is. He seems to physically be fit as far as he is able. The stroke has had some impact on the eyes and also on the heart, but it seems that with management this will be stable and that means that hopefully this will mark a milestone for the future.

I would like to on behalf of my family, thank each and every person who has prayed, showed support, spent time talking or visiting us and just being a part of our lives. You are a strength that cannot be measured with a numerical figure!

Peace,

Joining a long list

Sometimes when you look back in history you realise just how the people from your past shape your future. I have recently been informed of opportunities to do a few more things ministry wise. For me this is still using the natural abilities that have been given to me, but also continue a very special legacy which has shaped me and also hopefully will shape a new generation.

Part of this role has been to look over the history and see just what that means for my future. I have found new music (old but new to me) that I am sinking my teeth into.

Some of it is just beautiful, whilst some may have words tagged to them as Crazy, Virtuosic, Insane and beyond the normal day to day playing. Some might look away from the music, but I am really excited about getting some of this stuff down. Not only will it help me as a musician but it will hopefully remind those who hear it, a special moment or memory when hearing it!!

Back to rehearsing (don't look at the time) hehehe!!!

Tommy the Tuba

No one could actually work out just how old Tommy was, but by the look of his outside appearance he looked very old and not very attractive to the eyes. Tommy was dirty, gritty and his valves didn’t quite work the way they used to. Actually, only one of Tommy’s valves did work. The other two were injured or missing vital parts like the springs to keep them going, but Tommy didn’t mind, because he knew what laid beneath.

Tommy lived his day to day life on a shelf. Long ago he was a treasure that bought joy and the message of God to all that heard his deep rumblings beneath the more outspoken cornets and flying Euphoniums. Even the trombones got more recognition than Tommy and his family, The Tubassits. There was Tommy, Trevor and his younger brothers Timmy and Tony. Over the last few years though Tommy had been forgotten about as he lived in a storage room. It was here that Tommy began to really look and feel different. To all that seen him, he was just another reminder of days gone by.

Tommy was so excited! He was told that he was going to be reborn, and all he wanted to do was show the world that underneath all the grit and tarnish was joy and a message for all to listen too. From a humble servant of the history of bringing God’s Music to people, to a new message for everyone.

Tommy was scrubbed and polished and hosed down until a small shine started to emerge. Tommy was so happy because the cleaners and even their devoted pet (and water hose fetcher) was able to see a small distorted reflection of themselves in his outer layer. The Message was starting to be shown and the pet dog didn’t only like that hose but thought that Tommy was looking pretty good too (for his age).

Tommy started to feel so clean and new. Tommy thought that he should let his cleaners into a little secret. His cleaners were keen to find out where Tommy was born, so Tommy showed them his makers emblem and his unique number that all Instruments like Tommy get put on them when they are made.

Tommy’s Fingerprint allowed his cleaners to make an amazing discovery! Tommy was born around 1921. This made Tommy nearly 90 years old!!! Tommy suddenly felt a sense of joy and humbleness when his cleaners not only learnt this fact, but stood smiling at the image before them. Tommy had a message for them though that only a instrument broken and neglected could tell.

We are all tarnished and battered and bruised from our lives and experiences. We may not be able to be as active or even achieve the things we used to, but underneath that tarnish and our outer layer is a heart and story that when used for the Glory of God, can not only bring joy to others, but reflect light onto others so that they can see God’s reflection in us, as well as see where their own lives could benefit from knowing that God is there to guide them, even when others don’t see the worth in looking deeper than what we see at a quick glance.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17