Christmas feels different this year. It won’t be the same. Depending on where in the world we live there are restrictions on where we can travel, how many people we can host in our homes and what events we can attend. The usual bustle of crowded shopping centers is more stressful than ever with plastic screens, masks and temperature checks. The usual excitement and anticipation of the holidays is tainted by the reality of a global pandemic.
New Normal
Indulge me with a moment of honesty. Personally, I’m quite over this pandemic. I’ve had enough. I don’t want to socially distance any more. I want to hug my friends, sit right next to them in church and invite as many people as I like over to my home. I’m ready to go shopping without constantly sanitising my hands and registering my attendance. I want to go back to normal!
Fight for the Blessing
I’m a classic conflict avoider. I hate conflict. I run from it. I don’t argue or fight. I like to be a peacemaker. Three years ago my husband and I were on our 25th anniversary trip to Europe. We were in London not long after the London Bridge terror attack.
Build a Storm-Proof Life
I’d hate to try and think how many sermons I’ve listened to in my life. It would easily be in the thousands! But there is one sermon that tops the list. It is the most famous sermon in the Bible, preached by Jesus as He began His public ministry, the Sermon on the Mount. You […]
Trust God, Don’t Worry
I’m a first-class worrier! Ask me how I’m doing, and I can prattle off a long list of problems I’m facing, challenges I’m tackling, how busy I am, how tired I am, how overwhelmed I am… Poor me, poor me. I was having one of my ‘I can’t cope with this; the world is falling apart; how will I survive?’ moments, when a very wise and loving friend offered to pray for me.
Footprints
The amazing thing about walking on the beach is that fact that you leave your mark clearly behind. You can’t walk without leaving footprints. I tried. No matter how gently or carefully I tread, there was evidence of my presence to anyone who walked behind. The beach was covered in footprints – children jumping and skipping, adults with serious fitness goals, birds, dogs, and wanderers like myself.
