Today I was offered sticky toffee pudding and ice cream! It was difficult to resist, not just because of the flavour, but because of the memories.
My late parents in law loved sticky toffee pudding and ice cream. They so enjoyed offering it when you went round for dinner, and the way they said, made you think there could be nothing better! It was heated of course, with the ice cream melting all over the place. There are so many loving memories around this desert. My late husband loved ice cream too, Scottish tablet ice cream and raspberry ripple were two of his favourites.
In the midst of grief processes, it can be lovely to suddenly remember something nice, a lovely meal, a meaningful ritual, a sentimental moment. It reminds us that these are still memories of something that was real and had significance. Sometimes their intensity fades a little over time, but remembrances of these tiny moments are so comforting and healing.
Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God as a mustard seed, and said in Matthew 13: 12 ‘ it is the smallest of seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants: it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in their branches’.
Small things can be so significant, whether it is the flash of an old memory, or sharing a cup of water, or a prayer said under our breath. We long for better days, a new kingdom of healing and light, hope and justice and love. But meantime we wait, and are grateful for small moments of consolation.
Gracious God, You long for all people to come to You, and to find healing and peace. Sometimes we are battered by life’s storms, but memories and beauty remind us of what is truly significant, and are so healing. Thankyou Lord Jesus, for all your blessings, big and small. Holy spirit, heal our souls, remind us of the good, and show us how to work for a better world, in Jesus’ name, Amen
An umbrella of healing love 