A TIME TO CRY

I love onions but boy do they make me cry.Today I was cutting up onions and I just couldn't stop myself from crying.I've tried holding a spoon in my mouth and other various things which are supposed to help,but all to no avail.Then I began to think that actually I cry quite easily nowadays. Having lost loved ones over the past few years,I find myself very soft inside and moved to tears almost on a daily basis.I've often heard it said that life's experiences can make you hard or soft and I'm blessed today that God has given me a soft centre,which I hope will keep moving me into action if I can be in some way a comfort to others.

GO ON TEXT A BUDDY

I love to receive a text.I get quite excited to think that someone is thinking about me at a particular moment in time.It doesn't have to be long,but it can mean so much.Today I was blessed to get a couple of texts from friends which were a great encouragement to me and ye know,they always seem to come at just the right time.I'm sure you can identify with this.I always believe that if you think of someone,then let them know,you'll be amazed by the precision of God's timing.So text,drop a note or lift the phone and you'll be sure to make someones day.

TASTE AND SEE.......

In the summer I found a little butchers shop in a nearby village which sells good old fashioned soda farls.I bought some back then for some friends and that's the first thing they mention when they see me coming.So today I thought, while passing through on an errand,I'm gonna try this bread for myself.Now I'm hooked.It was just like the stuff my mother used to bake when I was a little girl.I was transported back in time and it felt good.It reminds me so much this evening,of the old hymns we used to sing,which have now been left at the bottom of our worship pile and how, when on occasion we revisit a few of them,how much they feed and refresh us spiritually.I am blessed to know that old fashioned - is good for body and soul.

WHAT'S YOUR DISCIPLINE?

I went back to work today after the long summer break.Settling into a routine wasn't as hard as I expected.I consoled myself by saying that we all need some kind of discipline in our lives.It can be healthy and good for us and let's face it, everyone needs a focus.I was blessed that my daily devotion confirmed this fact for me today.It talked about being disciplined in how we react daily to others,exercising self control,etc and how we need to be disciplined in order to grow spiritually.We'll only hear if we're prepared to listen.

WHAT'S IN YOUR CLOSET?

I did a bit of tidying today.I suppose instinctively I'm getting ready for a new school year and wanted to "get my house in order".It feels good to do a clear out from time to time,I'm sure you'd agree.It reminded me of something I'd read recently-"it's one thing to let Jesus into parts of your life,but it's quite another to let Him right into your closet".I know for a very long time I was content to allow Jesus access to certain rooms in my life,but the difference it has made to welcome Him into the very closet,I can't even find the right words...
You see He wants all of us and I am blessed to think that when we open the closet door ,He's got a special plan for even you and me.

ONE LIFETIME

As we approach the tenth anniversary of the death of Diana,Princess of Wales,I am drawn to the words of Richard Kay, a trusted journalist and friend of the princess,who stated -" Diana never knew just how much she was loved".I thought how terribly sad.We need to let our family and friends know just how much they mean to us.I was blessed today when I thought of how much God really loves me and I've absolutely no doubt about it.I listened to the song "One Lifetime" on the commemorative Songs of Praise,and was struck by the reality that one lifetime may not just be as long as we envisage,so it reminds me to spend time on the things that really matter.

"For every day I have on earth,
Is given by the King,
So I will give my life,my all,
To love and follow Him".

A TREE AND A PRAYER

Today I gave a neighbour a little willow tree lady as she was moving house to another country and I wanted her to have a little keepsake.The little carving had a tree with outstretched branches on her dress and her hands were clasped together in prayer. I was blessed as the gift depicted perfectly what I wanted to say.The tree simply meant that our friendship had grown over the years and the clasped hands were a reminder that I would be praying for her and her husband as they begin a new chapter together.Sometimes we can say a lot to others without even speaking.

LET THE SON SHINE

Today was a beautiful day.It felt like the weather was finally starting to improve,just in time for school to soon start back.It's funny how when the sun shines everything just seems so good.I was reading "Make my life a prayer" by Keith Green and I was blessed by his writing,especially the following words which are embedded in my mind-"That I might be a lamp stand on which to place your light of truth and salvation".This just reminds me that the Son can always shine,if I want Him to.

A PERFECT EVENING

Today my youngest son made our evening meal.It was a recipe he'd learnt while in Mexico and I have to say I was suitably impressed.I spent the evening in front of a turf fire looking at the clear night sky and listening to my favourite worship songs ring out on cd.We chatted about stuff that mattered and I was blessed to feel relaxed and content.I learnt the truth that real joy is to be found in the things which money can't buy.

THE SILK CUSHION

Today I sewed a silk cushion for my sister.It needed a touch of repair work as it had ravelled quite a bit due to its centre stage position on her brown leather sofa.I felt satisfied with my effort even though,in order to fix it I was forced to change its shape from rectangular to square.I was blessed to realise that in helping someone else and saving them the price of a new cushion,it actually made me feel good.I woke up in the middle of last night thinking of the meaning of the word Grace-God's generosity to us(as explained so well by our minister last Sunday) and realised how thankful I am for His bountiful gifts and how much I need to keep on giving to others.

LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE

Today I waited expectantly as some proud parents contacted me with the good news that their children had done very well in their recent GCSE examinations.I was so pleased for them,yet at times found it hard to believe that their little ones had grown up so quickly,as it seemed only yesterday that they had been dropped off at my classroom door in a crisp new primary sized uniform.There'll be much celebration tonight I guess and deliberation as to which subject route to follow next.But, regardless of what emotion those results have brought , with God there are no mistakes and when today is long gone we will realise everything that happens is part of His divine plan for our lives.I am blessed when I think of Jeremiah 29.v.11. Take heart,and be assured, God looks at the big picture for each of our lives.

THE REFERENCE

I wrote a reference today.It wasn't hard to do .I didn't have to search for things to say. In fact it was a privilege to write about someone who not only possessed so many special qualities,but by far the most important thing was the fact that this person illustrates perfectly the words of the song-"I live to serve Your Majesty".I was blessed by the clear revelation that this person is so certain they are following God's will.What a precious thought for us all to ponder.I wonder what sort of a reference could be written about us?

GOD IS IN THE SMALL THINGS.

Today I began to brush up on my French.It's something which has been niggling away at me for a while and so I took a favourite worship song,translated it and sent it off to a missionary friend in France.I know I'm a bit rusty and as I got deeper into the task in hand,was aware of how difficult it is to get the words to match the rhythm and how I must not simply translate into the literal meaning.But as I press on I'm blessed to know that "God is in the small things" and so I would urge you if you get a niggling feeling about something to go for it,because our great God loves to work through ordinary folks like you and me and you never know just who'll be encouraged along the way.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I remembered fondly how a friend had brought me a meal during the winter when I hadn't been feeling too well and just how much it had meant to me and so today I simply dropped off a couple of pies with a friend who was starting her long recovery from major surgery.I experienced the true meaning of the phrase "It is in giving that we receive"as I was so blessed by her godly attitude to all that she'd been through and her genuine longing in time to share God's love with those who'd travelled the same road as herself and wondered why.I was reminded of the verse that God really is a very present help in trouble and am convinced that He will without a doubt lead us to those whom we can comfort because we know what they are going through, if we just make ourselves available.I hope this encourages you today wherever you are.

CAN YOU SEE CLEARLY?

I picked new reading glasses today,as the lenses had shifted in my old ones and I knew they had to be replaced,I just kept putting it off.It turned out to be such an easy task simply because the assistant was so warm and honest with her advice.I left in no doubt that I'd chosen the right frames.It was a blessing to meet someone in everyday life for whom nothing seemed to be too much trouble.It taught me so much about how important it is to have time for people and how we all should be able to take advice if it's given in a gracious way.A few hours after I wrote these lines I was reading part of my own daily devotions which finished with the words-"When our vision gets blurred and we look up and can't see Him clearly,He is there".I thank God for revealing Himself to me in this way, as I feel it's confirmation that I should keep on writing.Looking forward to hearing how God reveals Himself to you..

COME FOR A WALK

Today my two year old nephew put his little hand in mine and urged me to go for a walk.He didn't really mind where, just as long as we went.He trusted me completely to look after him,keep him safe and he was ready for an adventure along the way.I was blessed by his unreserved willingness to come with me .It reminded me of how God wants us to come for a walk with Him in childlike faith.He promises to lead us,look after us and show us new things.I realise so clearly that if you really want to go for a walk it doesn't matter about the weather.

THE HEART OF WORSHIP.

Today I was present as the writer of the song "How great is our God" led a 4,000 strong crowd in worship.I was truly blessed in it's delivery, as I'd been looking forward to this moment for some time.It was everything I'd hoped for and more.I couldn't help wondering how much greater it's gonna be to someday meet the one who inspired the songwriter and until then,am I trying to be everything He wants me to be and more.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Just chatting to a friend at lunch today we reflected over how the last year had gone for us and looked forward, though somewhat hesitantly,to settling back into our workplace as the summer was now drawing to its close.There would be many new challenges to face.But I am reminded of the words a lady from church once prayed ,"Lord,thank you that no matter what stage of life we're at ,there's always a new work to do for you".It's a blessing to keep telling ourselves this and may you find what God wants for you the next time you feel hesitant like myself.

WELCOME HOME

Today my son returned after a two week mission trip abroad.I waited patiently for the bus to arrive and held my arms out as he turned towards me.It felt so good to welcome him home.I was blessed when I thought of how God waits patiently to draw us to himself and how delighted He must be when we simply come.

OLD FRIENDS

Today I was present at two different farewell meals.There was such a mix of emotion in the air. Then I suddenly came to the realisation that with true Christian friendships there's no such thing as "goodbye". What a blessing.Take a moment to reflect on your special friendships.

AMBIANCE

I visited a gift shop with mum today.She purchased a little wedding guest book for a couple-she was delighted, it was a perfect choice.The sales assistant,so helpful and pleasant, radiated warmth. The shop was called "Ambiance"and inside they'd got it just right.It turned out that we shared a godly friend,thus a bond was instantly created.I was blessed and it rubbed off on my mum too.Tell me about a blessing which affected those around you.

CAR TALK

Today I was blessed by simply going to pick up my son's car after it received a bit of repair work.I realised immediately I'd so much in common with the repair guy.We shared the same Saviour and enjoyed talking about Him. What conversation blessed you today?

SMILE

I was blessed today when my nine week old niece returned my smile as I cradled her in my arms- as we give something to others it comes back to enrich us so powerfully. Tell me your blessing.