I’ve returned to another Graham Kendrick song: Lord you’ve been good to meAll my life, all my lifeYour loving kindness never failsI will rememberAll you have doneBring from my heartThanksgiving songs Despite the bad news I will choose to be grateful – my life has been good. Today, November 1st, is ‘All Saints Day’. IContinue reading “Lord You’ve Been Good To Me”
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My family – Stephanie, Luca & Allan
Yesterday morning I learnt from my brother Bryan that his wife Stephanie had died. Her passing was sudden and unexpected but peaceful. Bryan has recently come out of hospital following major surgery. It is a devastating shock and a sad loss to him, their children, Catherine, Virginia and Tim, and their respective families. We weren’tContinue reading “My family – Stephanie, Luca & Allan”
My Escape Route
We’re faced with constant bad news – deaths, infection rates, lockdown… Friends with significant health scares, ongoing court cases, family breakdown…. Disappointment, anxiety, depression… I’m musing on a 4 step escape route… 1. Positive: I focus on good news. Footballer Marcus Rashford championing free dinners for needy children; the young paramedic on ‘Ambulance’ (see yesterday)Continue reading “My Escape Route”
I’m Nothing
Some people think they have little value. Some are suffering from depression or some other mental ill-health; others are the only guest at their pity-party… ‘Ambulance’ is a documentary series which follows the work of ambulance services. Last night we followed ambulance crews around London. It included a young man who had hanged himself… IContinue reading “I’m Nothing”
Routines
Yesterday a friend wrote reflecting on what may have caused recent mental health issues: ‘…maybe something in the early darkness, the cold and maybe even going from enjoying the summer holidays out and about back to some kind of routine. Then I thought do I like routine? Do I like to be spontaneous? Maybe a bitContinue reading “Routines”
Spider’s Web
My Dad was a very calm man, rarely excited or emotional. He was never the life and soul of the party, but he was good at organising children’s party games. He always led the games at our Sunday School Christmas parties, and, whilst Mum prepared the food, he would organise the games for our birthdayContinue reading “Spider’s Web”
Apostasy
We watched ‘Apostasy’, a film about devout Jehovah Witnesses. Sisters Alex and Luisa, and their mother Ivanna, attend all of the meetings at the local Kingdom Hall; they regularly go door-knocking to spread their faith. Luisa falls pregnant to a man at the college she attends. She is ‘dis-fellowshipped’ by her church and moves outContinue reading “Apostasy”
The Servant King
From heav’n You came, helpless BabeEntered our world, Your glory veiled;Not to be served but to serveAnd give Your life that we might live Last Sunday I heard someone talking about ‘serving one another’; I have been singing this song all week. This is our God, the Servant KingHe calls us now to follow HimToContinue reading “The Servant King”
It’s Magic
The Secret Garden Reading Frances Hodgson Burnett’s ‘The Secret Garden’ I enjoyed the theme of ‘Magic’. This benevolent force behind nature changes the garden. As spring comes the garden is transformed from the cold deadness of winter to blossom, colour and life. This magic also transforms Mary and Colin from selfish, unhappy, lonely children toContinue reading “It’s Magic”
When is criticism effective?
Yesterday the grandchildren came to tea. Polishing off his peach and pear crumble Zak announced, ‘This is one of the best two crumbles you’ve ever made, Granny.’ ‘So it’s only second best?’ ‘No. It could be the best, but you have made other great crumbles…’ Clever. It reminded me of a few weeks ago. AfterContinue reading “When is criticism effective?”
