Month: March 2022

Sue’s Views

Sue’s Views

Today is St Patrick’s Day! I discovered that St Patrick was actually born in Britain. At the age of 16 ….. he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland where he was forced to work as a shepherd for Irish invaders. It was here he came to faith in God. He managed to escape and returned to England where he undertook missionary training. He went back to Ireland where he converted many Irish from paganism and he became their patron saint. A great example of how we can turn the bad things that happen to us into something good!

Sue’s Views

It won’t be long before these leaves change colour so I want to make the most of this season. We’ve had such a lovely long summer which has made the lockdowns and restrictions more bearable. At least we could get out of the house and go for walks. The situation in Ukraine has put a whole new perspective on our petty inconveniences. Imagine being in a war zone in the middle of a harsh winter ….. with no power ….. no home ….. no food or water ….. and at the same time ….. fearing for your lives. These are people just like us ….. who just want to raise their children ….. give them a good education ….. and be responsible citizens. Let’s pray this season is soon over for them!

Sue’s Views 

Do you know you are being watched? How does that make you feel? I’m not talking about ‘Big Brother’ ….. or CCTV cameras! I’m talking about Someone who not only sees your every move ….. but also sees your heart. He knows ….. not only what you do ….. but why you do it. He knows the good ….. the bad ….. and the ugly ….. and still loves you! His watchful eye has protected you from dangers you didn’t even know existed. It’s an eye that weeps when you make choices that are not good for you or others ….. but lights up with joy when you speak to Him. It’s the eye of a Father!

Sue’s Views

There are plenty of opportunities each day for us to take offence. I’ve personally been aware of some bad attitudes creeping in lately. When we’ve been hurt ….. we can start to build our case ….. and we see everything through a filter of cynicism or sarcasm. These are mechanisms to protect ourselves from further pain by pointing the finger ….. and passing judgement on our perpetrators. The problem is that our ‘filter’ prevents us from seeing clearly and keeps us stuck in a place where we can only be happy if things change. Acknowledge the pain ….. forgive those who hurt you ….. and let them go. God says ‘Vengeance is Mine. I will repay!’ When we know God’s supremacy and absolute authority ….. we can move on with our lives ….. knowing He’s got us in the palms of His hands.

Sue’s Views

This was my isolation project for the past couple of weeks! It’s a good idea to have something to focus on ….. even if it’s only a few pieces at a time. It got me out of my chair ….. and gave me a sense of achievement. When our bodies are sick ….. it affects our minds as well. We can become self focussed and depressed. So choose to do something that gives you joy. It might be a walk around the garden ….. listening to some uplifting music ….. or a project that requires a bit of creativity. See it as an opportunity rather than an interruption!

‘Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.’ James 1:2

Sue’s Views

It was so nice to be back in the great outdoors yesterday! And a whole new season has begun. I love how there is beauty in every season. While most trees are beginning to shed their leaves ….. it’s time for others to shine. That’s why we never need to compare our selves or our lives with others. You may have been through a long and harsh dry patch ….. but your season is coming. Everything has been preparation for what is to come. 

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9

Sue’s Views

It was so good to finally get my hands on these guys yesterday after 2 weeks. Video chats just aren’t the same! It made me think of all the families that have been separated from their loved ones ….. some for many months ….. due to Covid. Things we used to take for granted are becoming more and more precious. Let’s continue to pray that the things that separate us will soon be over!

Sue’s Views

One of the greatest blessings that comes with belonging to Gods family ….. is being led by the a Holy Spirit. He is Gods representative on earth and He is with us all the time. We can walk and talk with Him continually ….. and He helps us in all sorts of practical ways as well as spiritually. A couple of weeks ago ….. I had the urge to buy extra groceries and spent a couple of days cooking and baking. Little did I know at the time that we were about to come down with Omicron as well as many other family members and friends. It’s easy to ignore those little ‘nudges’ He gives us ….. but they are there for a reason. I’m so thankful for this wonderful friend who knows what’s going to happen ….. where the best bargains are ….. and all sorts of other information that I lack.

Sue’s Views

It’s been a tough week and I’ve been thinking about Psalm 73. The psalmist was struggling with the fact that the wicked always seemed to prosper. His people had suffered many losses ….. and like us ….. he wanted to know why! 

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 

They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.”

But after getting it off his chest ….. God showed him the answer from His perspective. He showed him their end! 

“Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord,

you will despise them as fantasies.”

We always need to look at the bigger picture. Life is a series of battles. You win some ….. you lose some! But losing a battle is not the same as losing the war. I much prefer true life movies to those romantic ‘happy ever after’ movies. True life is never predictable ….. but God has already written the ending!