Earth is crammed with heaven

It's taken me a while to get to a point where I could write this post. Last year I wrote here http://karensandford.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/in-search-of-joy.html about being in search of joy. But this year was bound to be different. The darkness of last year's Advent was no more. It wasn't the first Christmas without our loved ones. The boys are happy. I'm enjoying my new church and ministry. Chris is fulfilled in his new role. Christmas joy would be all around, right? Well actually... The truth is that it's been harder to find joy this December than last. And I write not to gain your sympathy But because I'm reminded how difficult this time of year is for so many. The race to feel "Christmassy" is well and truly on. What will help us in our quest for that Holy Grail? Carols Parties Carol Services Christmas plays Cards Presents Winter Wonderland? Well none of them worked for me. And in my prayers last week I felt God say, ...

I had to bite my tongue today. Hard. I was in the hairdressers And the lady next to me, And her stylist, Spent about half an hour Talking about men. Apparently the secret of her long marriage is pretending. She pretends she needs her husband to do things. She pretends she's not strong enough. If she wants something to happen she plants the seeds And pretends he's really clever to think of such a thing. Half an hour earlier I overheard a group of women congratulating a poor, helpless workman On his ability to multi-task. Really? Come on girls we can do better than that! Now I know they're not perfect by a long stretch But then neither are we. Most men I know are decent human beings. They love well. They think for themselves. They work hard to help provide for people who depend on them. They may not always be able to multi-task, but sometimes I wish I didn't. I'm not trivializing the reality for many women throughout the world who are b...

I went for an Advent Quiet Day today. For guidance we were given the four songs of Advent. Zechariah Mary The Angels Elizabeth They all sang praises to God. Songs of assurance Of faith Of hope Of trust. But there was something else that I noticed today. In every case Fear preceded the song. Fear preceded the blessing. In every case they were told, "Don't be afraid". One of my hang overs from my illness and loss is fear. I can still do ministry. I can still lead worship. I can still go into new situations. But fear grips me. I feel anxious And tearful And afraid. But God reminded me today That feeling afraid is part of what makes us human. It brings the 'fight or flight' response in us. It's ok to feel afraid. I don't need to be ashamed of it. But fear needn't cripple me. God has already fought the fight for me. When I am weak He is strong.