Earth is crammed with heaven

I wore red lipstick today. I know! Apparently red lipstick suits everyone. And we reserved types aren't bold enough with our lipstick. I read it in a magazine. In an article about women in their forties Under the heading "Don't tell me I can't...." It's meant to be empowering. And give us confidence. I usually wear a kind of browny, bronzey colour. Sometimes with a bit of pink gloss added for special occasions. You have to remember I was brought up in The Salvation Army. And in the old days we weren't allowed to wear make-up with our uniform. So of course we didn't... Actually it was a good lesson in how to apply make-up so it looks natural Anyway Back to the red lipstick. I wore it out for coffee with a friend. But when I re-touched it just before Joel's prom photos I wiped it off again. I like my brown lipstick. I like the idea of red... But maybe I need something in between. And the article in the magazine got m...

Five Minute Friday. Set the timer for five minutes and write. This week's prompt is RHYTHM GO 'And the banner man, held the banner high With a 'Hallelujah' in his eyes And I wish that I could be a Banner Man.' If you can sing along to those words, chances are you'll now be singing them all day. Sorry! My Dad used to play it on his record player. I can still smell the vinyl The slight crackle as the needle finds the groove, And see him patting his leg in time to the music. It's a habit he's passed on to me. I can't hear a piece of music without Tapping my foot Or nodding my head Or patting my leg Or dancing if I'm really lucky. I'm so grateful to my parents for teaching me about the rhythm of life. And I don't just mean musically. My musical tastes are not my Dad's. (Thank the Lord for that) But somehow they taught me that the beat goes on. And I am part of that rhythm. The tempo can change Th...

We took Dad's ashes to be interred on Tuesday. His final resting place is All Saints Church in a little village called Sandford. The village held so many memories as we passed through it Granny and Grandad's bungalow The garden equipment shop that used to be a garage we went to for sweets and comics. The Post Office cum Village Shop that sells EVERYTHING. The Village Hall where we used to go to 'Mothers' Union' with granny. Mum, my brother and I were the star turn one week. We sang, we played our brass instruments, I even played the tambourine! (The women must have been very forgiving.... Either that or it wasn't actually tea they were drinking...) It was also the place where we celebrated my Grandad's 80th and 90th birthdays. We passed the park we were allowed to walk to as we got older to play on the swings. If I listened carefully I could hear the laughter of children the tinkle of glasses the bikes screeching to a halt my bro...

On Fridays there are a group of us who write just for the joy of writing. No editing. Just write. This week's prompt is Fall GO You know when something just doesn't feel right? When you put your faith in something or someone but you feel you're not being heard? There must be more than this? All these months and years of trusting, and obedience, and this is it? Really? You know when it feels like maybe you're being set up for a fall? I'm sure that's not the case but it makes no sense. Well that was me. I thought I prayed I questioned I shouted I cried And God said (Again through a friend) "Whatever happens. I won't let you fall." And He hasn't. (To be continued....)

I hadn't realised it myself. I'm not very good with dates, and years, and anniversaries. But yesterday my Facebook Timeline was full of it. It's 20 years since we were commissioned and ordained. 28th May 1993 at The Royal Albert Hall, London. As I listened to 'Our Songs' The ones written for us, and for the occasion I became a bit nostalgic. As I looked at the video And saw my friends and colleagues I almost felt a pang of grief For the people we were The things we shared. But this is a letter to the 25 yr old girl I was then From the woman I am now "You made it! By the skin of your teeth at times but you got there in the end. And this ending Full of brass, and drums, and singing and laughter and drama and dance is just the beginning. In the years ahead you will know joy Real joy Laughing so hard no sound comes out. Friendships that are only in their infancy here Will become your anchor in the days ahead. And people that ...

Five Minute Friday. Write for 5 minutes, just for the pure love of it. No editing. Just write. Today's prompt is View GO Nathan is getting really good on the trampoline. Front drops Back drops Somersaults Forward ones anyway. The backwards ones are a different matter. After falling off the trampoline the other day in the attempt, he's been a bit nervous. Yesterday I stood at the edge of the trampoline. Watching him closely as he tried. He improved but he wasn't quite there. As he came close to the edge I opened my arms. He saw me Came towards me And gave me a kiss. I'd opened my arms to catch him quicker. He'd come for a kiss because he loved me. I spend too much time messing about Doing my thing Facing danger at times Knowing God is on the sidelines waiting to catch when I fall. Instead I should be running into the arms of Jesus. In that place I am Loved Secure Safe. Knowing who I am I can go out into the world ...

The pebbles filled the beach As far as my eyes could see. Different shapes and colours and sizes. Ever since the children were small they've brought them to me. Some I keep, and some I leave behind. But look closely around our house and you'll see them.  Nathan brought me the pink one from a school trip. The small, beautiful smooth ones are broken bits from a bigger shell. Interesting....  Stones speak to me of Reality Truth Certainties. There's something about the fact that they've been Weathered Shaped Formed over millions of years that connects with my soul. There aren't many certainties in life but stones represent a steadfastness. A faithfulness. Recently I've started decorating them. I told a friend I was looking for stones to put scripture verses on, so he proceeded to try and lift a massive rock "That's for Psalm 119..." Scripture for me provides comfort And solace And strength. S...