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Every Mother, Every Father
A prayer for all parents struggling at the moment In January 2021, the UK went back into ‘lockdown’ and children were asked to home-school. We were aware of how hard this was for people so thought people might need some peace in their day.
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Learning to love myself
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord…
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The breaking of the wave
2020 has been a tough year for so many reasons. Tonight we leave it and move into 2021. As I was praying this morning, I felt like 2020 was a bit like the dying part of a wave where all the water is dragged back and sucked up before the new wave breaks. It has…
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Face to Face with the King
We join the crowd lining a glorious avenue of trees. The day feels fresh and new, and the world is young again – colours dazzle, and all of the senses we never knew had dimmed are renewed with vigour and life. Anticipation and excitement hang on the air as the crowd look down the road…
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Remembering (or not)
The saxophonist picks up her instrument. The drummer begins the count, and she is lost. The song, Autumn Leaves, is so familiar her body plays as if asleep – her breathing, fingers, and embouchure working together effortlessly. The song moves on, and she begins to move away from the head, improvising over the internalised chord…
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Allowing ourselves to hope
“It taught me to hope,” said he, “as I had scarcely ever allowed myself to hope before.” Mr. Darcy – Pride and Prejudice” ― Jane Austen A poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson: I envy not in any moods The captive void of noble rage, The linnet born within the cage,That never knew the summer woods:…
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At least I don’t live by the sea!
Thank God I don’t live by the sea! This was the very thought I had whilst driving down the M42 back towards my home in the midlands, just over 30 miles away from the place deemed the ‘furthest away from the coast’ by ordnance survey. Now I know it’s a really weird thought to have,…
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Reaching for hope
For years I have been bleeding. A constant dirtiness, impurity, shame. The kind of dirtiness that cuts me off from family, friends and loved ones. I cannot come close in case I damage them somehow and I am afraid. I have tried everything to get clean – washing, scrubbing, doctors, but still it remains and…
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Life is like a ‘zoom’ call
By now, many of you will be used to doing life electronically, having meetings on zoom or skype and seeing loved ones through a variety of video calls, picture messages and cards and because of this digital world we have been thrust into, life for me seems busier than ever – and that’s before I…
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Reflecting the light
We are pilgrims on a journey, And companions on the road. We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load. ~ Richard Gillard This is my first blog post in a long time. Life has been busy and it still is. Looking after a small boy, working nearly full time…