Swallows and vibrant colours all around….

There has been so much sunshine in May, so far. There are more people smiling, children out playing, people going to the seaside. It has been so lovely. I have seen beautiful blossom, deep green foliage emerging, and even swallows, although they swooped and dived too quickly for me to photograph!

In the midst of the struggles of life, it is good to take a moment, just to notice. Sometimes our cares and worries so overwhelm us, that we have our heads down. I think God calls us gently to lift our heads up, to open our eyes, and to enjoy the beauty of His creation with thankful hearts.

There is an old hymn ‘For the beauty of the earth’ and it contains the words:

‘ For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the love which from our birth, over and around us lies, Christ, our God, to Thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise.’

On these gorgeous days of blue skies and sunshine, we feel a deep thanksgiving for the beauty around us, but also the gift of health and relationship and stillness. It fills our heart with praise, and gives us a renewed awareness of all that is good. Perhaps we are weary, or have become jaundiced or our hearts are sore. Just taking time to be still, and to pause and to notice the loveliness all around can refresh our souls. May we find that renewal in this season.

Gracious and Eternal God, in these days of sunshine and shade, we remember the Words of psalm 46 ‘to be still and know that You are God’. Around us we see bluebells and yellow broom, azure skies and vibrant blossom. We take time to notice, and to give thanks. Lord Jesus inspire us, to pause, to sink into the landscape, and to find much joy. Holy Spirit, heal what is broken and jaded within us, and may there always be a song of praise on our lips. May the sunshine warm our hearts, and deepen our reverence for all your abundant gifts, Amen

Spiritual refreshment!

I have so appreciated being on holiday with Andrew my son, visiting beautiful friends. We have been in St Augustine, where it has been warm and breezy. Gorgeous bright days.

One day I found a little courtyard in the old town, where there is a quaint fountain, with a constant stream of sparkling clear water. The sound alone was refreshing, listening to the splash of the water bouncing off the surfaces. It was mesmerising, and so peaceful.

I have been so very busy, that now just taking time to listen and to be still was such a relief, and a joy. I remembered Jesus’s words from John 7:37: ‘ whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within them’.

This was a powerful reminder, that God places these streams of living water within us his followers. But sometimes we disconnect ourselves from our Source. Or we allow barriers to get in the way- guilt, fear, shame, worry, doubt, grief – and they stop the flow. We lose our vibrancy and sparkle, and love becomes a trickle in a muddy pool.

It has been a helpful reminder, to seek to lessen the things that separate me from God, my sin, my forgetfulness, my perpetual rushing about. I ask that together with God, and guided by His spirit, that the streams might flow more abundantly once more.

Gracious God, thankyou for that gift of streams of living water flowing through the lives of those who place their trust in Jesus, so these streams of love might touch the lives of many. Forgive me when I block your love by my selfishness and closed heart and mind- dissolve these away i pray. By the power of your holy spirit, open up my life to receive your living giving spirit, and then to enable that stream of water to flow into the lives of those around me. May we all be channels of that sparkling and refreshing stream of grace and love, for Jesus sake, Amen

Sunset reflections.

Sometimes I forget to slow down. I try to do too many things, I am always trying to catch up.

So one evening this week, I decided just to sit and watch the sun go down. It couldn’t be hurried, so I just sat and waited and reflected. It was a gorgeous still evening, with a soft light falling over the fields. Sometimes in the past, Colin and I would watch the sunset, and it was a time of connection and wonder.

The sunset was a time of aching beauty. It was breathtakingly gorgeous, but was also about change and letting go.

It the last 18 months, there has been so much heartache, pain and loss, through the pandemic and all the implications for so many lives. Times of questioning, isolation, depression, sadness. And in the midst of this, also stories of courage, humour and self sacrifice, as people sought to support others. Key workers, neighbours and others going the extra mile.

Gazing at the setting sun, was a moment that Wordsworth might have called a ‘spot in time’ a glimpse into eternity, a realisation of just how fragile life is, how easily it can slip away. And a deep appreciation for each day that we are given.

In psalm 90 the psalmist says ‘Teach us to number our days , that we might gain a wisdom of the heart’.

There is something profound in this, that we need to treasure each new day we have, for none of us knows how long we have. Sometimes the days fly by, and we wonder what we have achieved. In the midst of all things, may we take time to slow down, to ponder and to pray. If this was our last day on earth, what would we do? What is important to us? What is holding us back?

I am coming to the end of my break in the Outer Hebrides. It has been a time of stunning beauty, outstanding journeys, amazing wildlife, and of healing and space. I have loved this time. And watching that sunset, was a time of communion with God, of recalling the past, coming to terms with the present, and seeking purpose for the days to come. Whatever our situation, may God speak to each one of us that Word of encouragement we need to hear, as we continue onward.

Creator God, thank you for moments of clarity and peace, as we gaze on the beauty of your world. Lord Jesus You know our hurts from the past, the things we struggle with, the pain we feel. Forgive us, that we are sometimes too fearful to see the possibilities ahead. Help us have times of stillness in which we find refreshment and inspiration. May we make the most of each day granted. Holy spirit, grant us courage to step out into the next phase of our lives, whatever that might look like, for we trust in You, Amen.