Category: Sue’s Views

Sue’s Views

My grandson Israel sent me this photo the other day. He took it himself while walking in the Gardens with his family. He said it reminded him of our many walks in the past ….. and thought I might like to add it to my collection. Apart from being a stunning photo ….. it spoke to me of the many ways we can show love to one another. It doesn’t have to cost money ….. just thoughtfulness! Thanks Isa! Love you!

Sue’s Views

It’s never easy being the odd one out ….. but the majority are not always right! We’ve been given a brain to think for ourselves ….. but let’s do it prayerfully and respectfully. Jesus was the perfect example. He stood against the political and religious leaders because He followed the will of his Father. He carried the sins of the ‘herd mentality’ to the cross. Isaiah the prophet said ‘All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.’ Jesus said ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God ….. and all these things (things you need) will be added to you.’

Sue’s Views

Another positive from being in lockdown is learning to be content with what you have. We’ve learned to make do with what’s in our wardrobe or pantry. And we’ve discovered that ….. with a bit of imagination ….. we can create a new look or a new recipe! Jesus said ‘Don’t worry about what you will eat or what you will wear ….. because your Heavenly Father knows what you need.’ He pointed out the lillies and sparrows ….. neither of which earn money or go shopping ….. and yet they are well looked after. How much more does He care for us?

Sue’s Views

As we spend our last day at level 4 ….. what are you looking forward to the most? Probably being able to get takeaways? One thing lockdown does is make us thankful for the things we used to take for granted! Going shopping used to be a necessary chore ….. but is now a highlight of my week! My daily walk has made me even more amazed at the beauty of nature. Texts and messages are also something I cherish. No doubt we will soon be back into our overly busy schedules ….. so take a moment to breathe and say Thank You for the little things.

Sue’s Views

I was in the checkout at the supermarket yesterday when I heard raised voices and a lot of swearing just beside me. Someone didn’t like the rules of only one per household ….. and made it clear they weren’t happy. They followed me out of the shop swearing that they felt like smashing someone 😳. Not wanting to be that someone ….. I pushed my trolley a little faster to the car park at the same time praying for this couple. Living with strict rules is tough for some. The golden rule of treating others as you would want them to treat you is still the best way to live! Jesus set us free ….. not to do what we like ….. but to live right.

Sue’s Views

It amazes me how many people get injured at home! Apparently more than half happen in the home under normal circumstances. Home can be a dangerous place for some. So far this lockdown I’ve seen people fall off ladders doing home projects ….. children falling off trampolines ….. and a hand caught in a food mixer! But one of the most common injuries sadly is people punching a wall or a door. For some ….. being in lockdown produces anger ….. frustration ….. and fear. I’d love to have an X-ray machine that looks at the mind and exposes all the lies. They do far more damage than Covid or any other disease. Stay safe everyone!

Sue’s Views

The prophet Habakkuk ….. like many of us had questions for God! Even though he lived 600 years before Christ came ….. his world was very similar to ours. It was full of immorality ….. idolatry ….. injustice ….. and the threat of being taken over by the Babylonians. He basically was asking God ‘What are you doing? Don’t you care?’ God told him that bringing the Babylonians was part of His plan to bring His people to repentance. When Habakkuk saw the vision ….. He was able to see from Gods perspective. His attitude then changed from complaining to sharing a message of faith in a God who was totally in control. His famous song ‘Though the fig tree does not blossom ….. yet will I praise Him’ was born out of this revelation. We are seeing our world today going from bad to worse. I wonder what God will have to do to bring us to our knees. The answer is still ‘The righteous will live by their faith!’

Sue’s Views

The ‘weeping willow’ always reminds me of Psalm 84. 5-7

‘Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains! They will grow constantly in strength …..’

We will all go through the ‘valley of weeping’ at some stage. We can use it to make us bitter ….. or better! I remember reading a book many years ago called ‘Don’t Waste Your Sorrows’. They are not there to drown us but to open up a fountain of blessing. Not only for us ….. but also for others. Our sorrows enable us to identify with those around us ….. and of course with Jesus ….. who suffered the greatest grief ever.

A common saying in our bubble lately has been ‘It’s your fault I’m fat!’ (You may be familiar with the tv show that inspired that saying!) We probably all indulge a little in times like these ….. whether it be food ….. Netflix ….. or other comforts. And whilst we should help each other to be healthy and make good decisions ….. the bottom line is ….. we are all responsible for our own choices. Only I can control what goes into my mouth ….. what I watch ….. how I spend my time. There will always be that moment at the crossroads where a decision has to be made. And ultimately I can only say ‘It’s my fault’ if I make the wrong one!