Earth is crammed with heaven

Gardening doesn't come naturally to me. I think I may have blogged about it before. A few years ago,  my friend who is a keen gardener, bought me some strawberry plants and a special strawberry planter  for my birthday. I hadn't been very well at the time and she knew that there was something about gardening that helps. I duly planted them  but didn't look after them very well so we ended up with about two strawberries in total. The planter has sat mocking me ever since. Until today when I filled it with fresh compost and planted the strawberry plants I'd bought at B & Q 3 weeks ago. And that was it. I was off! With my gardening gloves and my new compost and my lavender plant. Then me and my secateurs went to war on the brambles. Why on earth did God invent brambles? They wind, they choke, and they get everywhere. And by 'eck their thorns hurt! I have a camellia plant that my in-laws bought u...

Yes you read the title right. I haven't eaten chocolate since before the beginning of  Lent. I know! I'm as surprised as you. Especially as it was the very thing I swore I wouldn't do, the whole 'giving up' thing. I commenced my physical, emotional and spiritual de-cluttering on Ash Wednesday. And as the days passed and things were cleared away, I began to realise I hadn't eaten chocolate. Or drank diet coke/pepsi. And what was more surprising was, I didn't really miss them. Not at first anyway. As I was clearing away the stuff that crowds in on my life, it was putting the things I relied on in plain sight. When things go wrong, when difficulties arise, when life got tough I'd reach for the cans and the Cadbury's. Now don't misunderstand me; I know there are much worse things I could be reaching for. But as I attempt to lead a life in full reliance on God, I became aware that I needed to make God my chocolate, Prayer ...

I love going to the cinema. I don't really mind what film we see, as it's the experience I enjoy. The big screen. My coffee. Popcorn if the boys are with me. Or a few snacks if it's just Chris and I. I love films. And I have a range of films I see over and over... Mona Lisa Smile Chicago Apollo 13 The Illusionist A few years ago I saw, 'A Joyful Noise' Now, it's not the most original of story-lines. A church choir is influenced by two strong women... Enter Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton who battle it out for the 'proper worship style'. But the singing is fab! Gospel music at it's best. One of my favourite moments is when Queen Latifah sits at the piano and sings 'Fix me Jesus'. It moves me every time. After all, who wouldn't want to be fixed? Who wouldn't want their lives to be sorted, their problems solved and to live forever, good as new? Today is Good Friday. It's the day that Jesus takes my b...

"Are you winning?" The same question, every Sunday morning. For seven years. It came from a retired man, With a broad Lancashire accent, Who had lost his wife, And became a member of our congregation. He asked it with a twinkle in his eyes. There was I, Mum to two very young, very noisy, very lively boys. And wife to an equally noisy and lively husband. And my answer was always the same, "I'm getting there!" My answer would still be the same 12 years on. Though now I have another boy to add to the collection. Turns out it was buy two, get one free! And they're all still young, noisy and lively. And I'm still winning. Because I'm on the winning side. This season has been tough at times. Threats of relegation abound. And the enemy attacks at regular intervals. But I'm still winning. I'm on the winning side. As Jesus said In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world! BO...

A note to the Father Reasons why I love you No. 10,001 You take me on these journeys. You see me in my anger my sense of injustice, my muddledness, And you suggest we go for a walk. And I still feel cross, confused, questioning. And you don't say much. You just listen while I shout. And you let me cry. Then we sit in the silence And we listen to the birds And the wind in the trees And I cry some more. And gently you remind me of my tendency to want everything fixed before I give thanks. That because I want a solution to something, I fail to thank you for all the other stuff Like.... Coffee Marshmallow clouds Primroses The wind in my hair Light and shade on the ground The radio Birds dive-bombing into the water then using their feet like water-skis Green hedgerows And 'in everything give thanks' isn't another stick to beat ourselves with. Because Ann Voskamp is right, 'Eucharisteo (thankfulness)  does preced...

It's Friday. The day we write for 5 mins without stopping on a given prompt word. Today's word is: WRITER GO I am a writer. There you go, I've said it out loud. No false humility. Just facts. I write, and people read what I write. I guess this makes me a writer. Today I have decided to write truth. This was my week: I have known delight at new beginnings. Messy church was fab. All generations working together to share the joy of Easter was heart-warming. Costa is a great place to chat to stressed Mums with toddlers. I have laughed. Prayed. Sneezed and coughed. A lot! (Sahara dust) I have struggled at times this week to believe in a good God who has our best interests at heart. I made the choice to do so anyway. I ate lots of shortbread yesterday. These two things are probably related. I have got angry, really angry inside. Thankfully, it came out as tears. Lots and lots of tears. Tears are good. They are healing. Here is truth ...