Carol Purves

As I plan to spend another year writing in what I grandly call ‘a study’ (office sounds too bleak) I think of the year ahead. I have bought a wooden plaque engraved by a friend. It simply says ‘Be still. ‘A good sentiment for 2021. It was carved from a felled tree at the end of my road.

I have a diffuser which I set up each day, which gives a pleasant aroma. Also in the room is a small heater; with two outside walls it is a cold room. I need my comfort. With my cup of tea, I’m ready to start writing. It is time for ‘bum on seat’ and get on with it.

I pray that in this coming year, you all have a purpose, something which needs to be done which you enjoy. Go for it. 2021 is going to be special. God bless.

As we are now a few days into the new year I got to thinking how people would have felt in the new years of 1939 till 1945. Every year they would pray for peace and the fighting to end. They would be worried or mourning about those away fighting. It would seem there was no end in sight.

We can have similar thoughts as we progress through 2021. We are worried about the sick and mourn those we’ve lost. We are ill with worry about finances, isolation and catching the virus. World War 2 did end, the country did recover. We will get through this, there will be an end. God knows the answer and timing, we don’t.

On a lighter note – everything has an end,, except a sausage which has two !!!

‘If the virus doesn’t get us, the ice will.’ This unhappy comment greeted me as I drew out some money from the cashpoint.

It is true, things are difficult at the moment. In my area we’ve had about five days of black ice. Every step we take is dangerous. So we do feel we are being assailed on all fronts. All the more reason to realise this difficult time will pass and God is in control. The answer to that is ‘Thank God.’

During these days of lockdown I need to give thanks for small blessings.

I have a trellis at the bottom of my garden which needs painting. I have managed to do one coat but it really needs another. It is now cold in the garden and i was finding it a real struggle. Then a lovely friend volunteered for her husband to paint the second coat. What a blessing. I also had the chance to have a conversation with him and give him coffee and cookies. Something I’ve not been able to do for anyone for ages.

Then I had a lovely email from another friend. It contained all kind of special messages. She didn’t need to email me but it cheered up so much. What a blessings.

Then I managed to make arrangements for my boiler to be serviced. We don’t always appreciate warm homes. It this time of year with the cold weather it would be so difficult to cope without adequate heat.

Small blessings but ones to thank God for and for me to appreciate.

‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me. ‘

I came across these words again the other day. They were written by Anna Bartlett to comfort a dying child. You don’t need to be a child to believe it. Christmas is the time is when these words are proved to be true. God proves His love for me by sending Jesus.

We can have sympathy for Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. He was mute for nine months. For nine months we have had limited freedom to visit friends and be with family. We have been unable to sing in church.

When the restrictions are over will we sing more fervently and greet our friends more enthusiastically? Will we make for lost time with as many words as we can or will we speak more wisely sharing the wisdom we have learned during the nine months?

I do wish all my readers a blessed 2021. May the problems of 2020 be eased; may our freedom be more and may we worship our God more fervently.

The Bible says, See I am dong a new thing.