Author Archives: malcolmsmusingscom

Yesterday Elspeth was sitting in her dining room. Out of the corner of her eye she saw something gold that seemed to be moving. On the floor was a goldfish that Scampi, the cat, had brought in. Elspeth put the fish in a bowl of water. The fish was still alive! Guessing that Scampi mustContinue reading “A Fresh, New Start”

Susanna Wesley (1669-1742) was the 25th of 25 children. She was encouraged to think for herself, hold opinions and speak her mind – especially regarding politics and religion. She married Samuel, her clergyman husband, when she was 19 and spent her life in poverty and hardship. She had 19 children; 10 survived childhood. Musing onContinue reading “Susanna Wesley”

Today’s Malachi’s 16th birthday. Mum, Lisa, took him to swim in the sea early this morning. Yesterday was Mothering Sunday. Cards, flowers and chocolates were given on a day of affection and celebration. We’ve recently thought of ‘royal’ mothers – Queen Elizabeth, Lady Diana, Kate, Meghan – their joys, sorrows, complex relationships… We’ve remembered mothersContinue reading “Mothering Sunday”

Safe in the Father’s handsWe are safe in the Father’s handsThough there may be thingsWe don’t understandWe’re safe in the Father’s hands I make no apologies for this children’s song for my ‘Sunday hymn’ … Life gets complicated. Stuff happens. People, family, uncertain health, delayed decisions, unresolved problems, damaged relationships, the growing ‘to-do’ list… allContinue reading “Safe in the Father’s Hands”

You can’t make old friendsCan’t make old friendsIt was me and you, since way back whenBut you can’t make old friends It’s been a week in which I’ve been in touch with a number of ‘old friends’. Because they’ve known me for 50 years or more they’re ‘old’ – even though they might not admitContinue reading “You Can’t Make Old Friends”

Yesterday we remembered Dave Hughes. We joined friends and family on-line at the crematorium. Later, by zoom, we celebrated his life with many others in a Thanksgiving Service. I first met Dave nearly 50 years ago; since then we’ve met occasionally. He and his wife Katie were about the same age as Rachel and I;Continue reading “Dave Hughes”

To understand a story fully we need to hear different perspectives from different people. I witnessed this with fights in the school playground; friends working for the police or social services see this in court; we’ve remembered it this week with Harry and Meghan…   Musing on Joshua 2… Joshua is the new Israelite leader.Continue reading “Rahab”

The royal interview dominated yesterday’s headlines. Words like ‘sensational’, ‘bombshell’ and ‘heart-breaking’ were scattered liberally. For once ‘unprecedented’ didn’t refer to Covid. Everyone had an opinion. Experts spoke about racism, mental health and the monarchy; ordinary people escaped from their own private problems in this public drama. The Queen’s statement was simple yet wise: ‘TheContinue reading “Harry and Meghan”

Schools returned yesterday. Welcome balloons were out. Anticipating teachers were quoted: ‘Every one of us can’t wait for the classrooms, corridors and playgrounds to become alive again with the sounds of children learning and playing together.’ Head-teachers posted within an hour of opening: ‘Just to reassure ALL parents and carers, ALL children are settled andContinue reading “Back to School”

Today, 8th March, is International Women’s Day. Dawn French said: ‘Inflatable boy goes into inflatable school with inflatable headmaster and runs amok with a drawing pin. Headmaster says, ‘I’m very disappointed in you. You’ve let me down, you’ve let your school down, you’ve let yourself down.’’   IWD raises concerns for gender equality, the genderContinue reading “Eglantyne Jebb”