Take 5

U ncertainty – it’s the latest word. It’s everywhere, just like the word “unprecedented”.   Uncertainty is running amok all over the place.   You will find it in every aspect of our daily lives. One thing is certain, this pandemic has uncovered layers of uncertainty and created even more uncertainty in a world that we were certain we had figured out. It’s certain we are no longer certain.   In reality, “uncertainty” is something that has always been there, cleverly covered over with an illusion of security, control and comfort. Did we ever really have control over life and death, or this monster called “the economy”?   Whilst we have not been “certain” that politicians, governments and officials could “sort out” our world, we were certain that the scientists and “experts” could, if enough money was thrown their way. But alas, now we know that they too are uncertain about outcomes, decisions and a virus free world. The catch phrase in every sector is “we just don’t...

I sat listening, hearing the brokenness of their story. Shattered dreams, disappointment, regret, grief and my thoughts turned to the Mozaic Cross hanging on my wall .    This is the cross.   Can you see it?   Can you see what it is made of?   Broken pieces of fine bone china.     I love the feel and form of fine bone china.   I like to examine and admire the delicacy of the designs, the highlights of gold and hues of the glazes. It is expensive, exquisite and fragile.   Once broken, china becomes valueless and often, beyond repair!   I know this from bitter experience.   Okay confession time. I was skipping in the front room, something that I been told not to do, when suddenly without warning my skipping rope caught my mother’s collection of fine bone china ornaments (Wedgewood china for those who are in the know) and sent them all flying to the tiled fireplace below – smashed into a thousand pieces! My sin of disobedience evid...

I’m not by habit an early morning person, so if I catch a sunrise, I cannot help but stop, look, admire, wonder and rejoice.   Another day has begun. The world has woken from the dark and light is once more, with glorious colour, infusing the landscape, heralded in by bird song!    “ The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawn s, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy .” (Psalm 65:8) The other morning, there was no such sunrise. The light was dull and heavy clouds blocked the sun. The same gloom had descended on me as I a contemplated another day. Without warning, or permission, just outside my window a bird began to sing – not melodious but chirpy cheerful, not quiet but loud and incessant. A “song of joy” was being called forth, to quote the Psalm. I was faced with a choice.   Do I choose gloom, or do I too like this persistent, cheerful, chirpy bird choose to rejoice that I have been given a new day? As the light increas...

It was a beautiful, thoughtful, loving gift. I was overwhelmed when Jo gave it to me. She had hand worked the quilt incorporating colours, flowers, various fabrics chosen with care to remind me of shared memories and above all love.  Initially I had no idea what to do with it.  Sure, I showed it to friends, I valued it but frankly at the time it just didn’t fit any room or colour scheme. The beautiful quilt stayed folded up. It silently challenged me whenever I looked at it. Until, I began to incorporate it into my life. I painted the walls, changed the colour scheme, rearranged furniture and spread the quilt on the bed, fully embracing the gift. How like God’s gifts to us.  God gives us gifts, beautiful, thoughtful, valuable gifts. As John 1:16 puts it “ From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (NLT) We receive them, are awed by them, even say thank you and yet leave them folded up, unused in the corner of our lives, silently ...