What do you see?

One of the things I love to do is people watch. My daughter calls me nosey, but I like to think of myself as curious. I am completely fascinated by the way in which we ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ folks go about our lives. Train stations are always a source of wonder for me, and I find myself noticing the connections and communications that are going on all around me. The man mimicking the announcements on the tannoy out loud who catches my eye, as I simultaneously mimic the same words in my head, causing us both to giggle; the young man sitting next to me for a period of time - who slowly recognises that I may be safe enough to make eye-contact with, and even leave his rucksack with - while he scoots off for a few minutes! We are all strangers but hopefully experience a sense of belonging, of being connected by a common purpose and aim. I often muse I could write a play about it; all the characters are ready made and ready to go. It is easy to ‘be’ in these situations and be mindful and aware of others, smiling conspiratorial smiles to passers-by.

However, it could also be a different story, I am acutely aware that I could sit and make assumptions about those around me and the lives they are leading. I could start to judge and discriminate because their way of being, and their values may be different to mine. I have written before about our sense of self and how we can impact each other in seconds and project our feelings one onto another, often without any self-awareness. Sometimes we may have to consciously manage a whole range of emotions and feelings when relating to each other – a tough call.  How do we manage that? Probably not very well is the answer!

It makes me think about how God sees us, and I marvel at how different this ‘people watching’ is with our Heavenly Father- how in Psalm 149 we read ‘He takes pleasure in his people’ and in Zephaniah 3 we read “He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Oh, to be able to see people through God’s eyes, to delight in others to the point we wish to sing over them with joy! ! 

Rich will have already waxed lyrical, about another opportunity to people watch for me, with our railway trip to St Ives! A good day out! The train from St Erth that heads down to Carbis bay, and St Ives beyond, provides spectacular scenery. There is a sudden reveal of a picture-perfect glimpse of God’s creative hand at work. Those new to it will audibly gasp. I believe God feels that way about us, he sees us through unconditional eyes, with wonder, and He loves everyone with an extravagant love. Wouldn’t it be great if we did the same and saw through God’s eyes.

Blessings, Sue

Springtime 

I suspect that the county in which we live – Devon – is one of the greenest counties in the UK. The fields and meadows are currently gleaming with vibrant, rich green hues. Of course, that is largely due to the volume of rain that we’ve had in the last month or three, but there is another reason.

We’re on the threshold of spring.

I cannot remember any year when spring did not show up; the rhythm of the yearly seasons has never failed. Spring is followed by summer, followed by autumn and then winter, before the cycle continues for another year.

Spring is irrepressibly full of life; bright white snowdrops have just finished, daffodils are trumpeting their vivid yellow, hellebores their purple and primroses their own creamy yellow.

Many of you will know that the county flower of Devon is the primrose and for those travelling through the Devonshire roads, they will find them readily at the roadside and in their tall, banked hedges. It was twenty years ago or so, that the humble primrose was voted the county flower of Devon recognising that it best summed up the county’s natural heritage.



In the UK, spring heralds that the warmest part of the year is now on its way. The colder, damper part of the year is now receding and the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, in all its glory, is almost upon us. Balmy days, warm temperatures and long slow evenings are barely a few weeks away. Before long our days will be longer than the nights.

Spring is no exception but the regular flow of the seasons reminds me of an aspect of wonderful God’s character – his indefatigable creative power. Each and every year and at this time of year, creation literally bursts into new life. Flowers, trees, shrubs, (the weeds!) and the humble meadow, dormant for so many months come into life. The colours and fragrances of plants which have been little more than twigs and dull leaves, shout their new life.

God wants to build a new relationship with each of us and promises to bring life in all its fulness. That is my experience and I pray that it might be the same for you, as you survey his natural, breath-taking handiwork about you.

Gavin - March 2024

Half Term Fun 

February half term is now over. 

One of our responsibilities during the week was to have our four grandchildren for a day followed by a sleepover. 

So, the question arose – how do we entertain them?  Their ages range from 6 to 12. 
 
 

We picked them up in the morning and went out to lunch – it was very civilised under the circumstances.

Then we made a trip up to Haldon Forest for some exercise in the hope that they would tire out ready to sleep well overnight. 



We made Gruffalow a birthday picture using natural things from the forest floor:

Having walked quite a way around I remembered an activity we had done some years before with our older Granddaughters, Geocaching.   We looked on the App on my phone and found that there were a few nearby and that one was near the path we were on but further ahead.  It was titled The Castle of Lawrence of India.  The children were excited to start looking and the location on the map let us know how close we were.  Well, we searched for some time around the spot.
(Needle and haystack sprung to mind). 

Then inspiration hit if I clicked on the little green location symbol it may give us some more information.  Low and behold there was the Hint – Stumped? Look inward!  Difficulty 1.5, Terrain 1.5, and the size very small.
     
So how were we going to find one stump in the middle of a forest.  Anyway, we kept searching and spotted a promising area nearby. 

And yes, there it was – a small canister in a hole of a large tree stump.  Inside was a list of other intrepid explorers that had found it before us. 
Unfortunately, we had forgotten to take a pen so couldn’t add our names at this time.

        

You know our lives are a bit like geocaching.  Sometimes it is easy, and everything falls into place, and we spot our target instantly, but at other times we are searching and searching for the right path. 
 
The Holy Bible, God’s word, gives us guidance as to how to lead our lives and how to treat others on our daily walk.  Our conscience warms our hearts when we realise that we are walking close to God.

Psalm 119 vs 105 says;
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Even in our ‘forest of life’ we can rely on our Heavenly Father to be there for us  - He has a plan for each of our lives.

God Bless you all.  Jackie - February 2024
 

 Holiday Blues

Well, as I start writing this blog, in a hotel in the ‘Three valleys’ ski resort at the end of a fantastic ski holiday with my wonderful family, I’ve got to say I have got the holiday blues. This means I’ll miss this life when I go home. Yes. I know you can’t live your life on holiday, but it is hard to let go of the feelings that leaving brings. These blues caused me to reflect on something that I read recently – the author suggested that a top tip for life is to never end a holiday without having booked your next one! However, that for me feels self-indulgent so I haven’t booked our next holiday yet [perhaps I am secretly just hoping my wife will book something].  However, many people are busy booking holidays in response to the grey January days that follow Christmas.

According to the popular press, blue Monday is the most depressing day of the year. This is the third Monday in January and highlights the grim feeling that we feel at this time of year. However, hopefully something that we can hold onto, and something that always shines for me beyond life’s dark days, or these holidays, is the light and love of Jesus. Knowing Jesus and having faith in Him, can, if we let it, shine into every day.

In the midst of a ski-run this week, when it was snowing heavily and visibility was poor, the snow seemed to take control of all of my senses. However, suddenly I noticed in the distance an almost hidden structure of a cross – you can see this if you look closely at the picture. For me this symbolised the presence of Jesus in those days that seem so grey and when it is so hard to see a way forward. As a Christian that is the only focus, the only focus for the darkest of days. The cross reminded me that Jesus can shine into every day, even when everything seems obscured. I hope the Lord Jesus is shining for you today.

Blessings now and always in Christ Jesus, Rich.