Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

I was chatting to my friend Alan. Alan’s brother Ron is very well-organised. I commented that Ron ‘liked to have his ‘ducks in a row’. Alan sighed. His life isn’t as well-organised as Ron’s. He expressed concern that some of his ducks had swum away, some were lost, and those that were assembled certainly wouldn’tContinue reading “Orderly, Assembled, Well-Aligned Ducks”

Last weekend was filled with the sweet smell of success… On Saturday we watched successful, talented children singing in the final of The Voice Kids – and 11-year-old twin sisters Andrea and Shanice winning. On Sunday many of us watched the long, hard fought, entertaining Wimbledon final. Novak Djokovic was gracious in defeat; Carlos AlcarazContinue reading “Success – Smelt, Seen and Tasted”

On Saturday we visited Shawsgate, a local vineyard. Les, the owner, explained carefully the process of growing and training vines. We walked around the vineyard… saw grapes growing… learnt about the process of producing wine from grapes… tasted seven of their wines… enjoyed a lunch provided by Les and his team. Beth Moore, in ‘MadeContinue reading “Made to Flourish”

With a prayer You fed the hungry,With a cry You stilled the storm;With a look You had compassionOn the desperate and forlorn.With a touch You healed the leper,With a shout You raised the dead;With a word expelled the demons,With a blessing broke the bread. This Stuart Townend song points me to Jesus, the man ofContinue reading “With A Prayer You Fed The Hungry”

The Gift: Each year I read through my Bible, starting Genesis in January, completing Revelation in December. Yesterday I completed the Old Testament; today I started Matthew… reading the Christmas story… the gift of a baby… the gifts of the wise men – gold, frankincense and myrrh… Musing… My life’s a gift. The Box ofContinue reading “The Gift of my Life”

One morning I visited Spud, a colleague headteacher. Spud was a gentle, smiley man, loved by children, staff, parents and his local community. We talked about children, local families, complained about the ‘latest initiative’. I joined them in their school assembly… Spud talked about Mr Smith and Mr Jones, two builders who each built aContinue reading “The Building of my Life”

Life’s a garden: In my teacher training I was taught that we plant seeds in children’s lives; we provide the correct conditions for growth; we watch, tend and nurture young plants; knowledge, skills and understanding grow to maturity… Seeing children as flowers may be appropriate; calling them vegetables isn’t! Grand-daughter Hannah has recently completed herContinue reading “The Garden of my Life”

One of my earliest memories is of Dad telling me a bedtime story. As a child I had a weekly comic – Robin, Beano… I read books – Noddy, Secret Seven… I watched films – Old Yeller, Dam Busters… On television I watched Andy Pandy, The Lone Ranger… At church I heard Bible stories. There’sContinue reading “The Story of my Life”

Smooth Paths & Rocky Roads: In the Life’s Journey we climb high mountains, negotiate hazards, find unexpected surprises round the next bend… travelling with a serenity through the sunshine, frowning through the fog or smiling through the storm… …Nearly 350 years ago John Bunyan wrote ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’. The hero, Christian, has a Life Journey thatContinue reading “The Journey of my Life”

Yesterday morning I reflected on ‘Life’s a day’ – the daybreak of birth, early morning of childhood, day-time of adulthood, evening of old age, night-time of death… I quoted the old hymn ‘Lord of all Hopefulness’. I could have referred to ‘Abide with me, fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens Lord with me abide…Continue reading “The Time of my Life”