Where did November go?

It's November 29th and we have the Christmas tree up and decorated... what is going on??? This is not the Sparkes household that I am used to.

What a month. Half Term from College, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday, Poppy's six week follow up at the High Dependency Unit, Stay and Play with Harry at his school (Parents Evening), Visited Wellington School with Poppy, Harry and Amy, Preaching and my first assignment for College handed in... plus a load of other meetings, one to one's, church events, reading and I even had time to go for a run the other night!

I find myself asking these questions to myself: Where did November go? How many shopping days left until Christmas? I need more hours in a day...

Why do we moan and complain so much about our lives, our time, our money, the weather...anything?

How often do I stop and think? Stop and reflect? Put my life in context?

Are you like me? I can too easily focus on the negatives. I would like more attention! I would like to be the person that others talk about (in a good way!) My selfishness kicks in far too easily.

Even writing this Blog I have to consider my motives!
Am I wanting the praise of people?  What am I wanting you to say to me after reading this Blog? ("I read your Blog, it was really good")
Before preaching last Sunday evening I was over come by a similar feeling and began a discussion in my mind. I prayed for humility.

Along a similar theme, I have wrestled with Facebook and Social network sites this month.

John MacArthur said this:
"If there is one word that perhaps best describes social media it is this: self-promotion... When so much about social media panders to pride and shameless self-exaltation, believers need to think about their motives before they jump on the bandwagon. If the goal is simply popularity or personal promotion, it’s time to do a heart check. Our celebrity-driven culture craves for notoriety. But Christians are called to be different. We have died to ourselves. Thus, our concern should not be, "How many people can I get to follow me?" but rather, "How can I bear witness to the wonder of following Christ?""

A friend commented this:

We need to THINK before we POST, 'am I boasting' am I giving an accurate picture of what my life is really like, am I glorifying God or myself here? Who am I pointing to!

What am I telling the world about my life? What do I really think about me? Why have I become so obsessed with telling the world (Or at least the 800 or so 'friends' I have on Facebook (another discussion for another time!)) about my every move, new location and how I am feeling today!?

But still I continue with Facebook!? Will there be a change in me? Watch this (or should I say "that") space.

Family

Harry continues to be amazing. He loves his new little sister and is very helpful to Amy and I.
He is loving his morning session at school.
Amy is on maternity leave and is SO wonderful. She is a great Mum and a wonderful wife.
Poppy continues to grow and develop. She is looking around at the lights and reacting to sounds.
We have more tests and appointments to help her with her variety of issues.
I continue to study and work alongside my pastor in church.

News

We plan to be in Woolpit from the 21st - 25th December and hope to see some of the extended family during this time although we will miss the big family gatherings.
We will be in Scarisbrick from the night of the 25th for a few days for Amy's immediate family Christmas celebrations.
We plan to be in Halewood for the New Year celebrations.
Poppy has her immunisations at the beginning of December, along with an ENT clinic appointment.

Prayer

Thank God for Harry. His character and personality.
Please pray that he will be well behaved and continue to love Poppy.
Pray that we will be able to give Harry and Poppy the time that they need so that they feel loved.
Thank God for Poppy. We continue to be amazed by her growth and development. She is beautiful.
Thank God that we have not had to go through any situation or circumstance that He has not given us the resources to deal with.
Thank God for all the provisions of prayer, care and support that we have.
Please pray for Amy's decision about returning to work. When she should go back and the financial implications of staying off vs Poppy's needs.
Please pray for my training (both College and with Church) that I would learn and grow.

Thank you once again for reading my blog.