Carol Purves

For Christmas I was given a calendar which is all about gratitude. Although not specifically Christian this calendar reminds me that gratitude is a very Christian attribute.

This month, February, I read ‘A heart that gives thanks is a happy heart.’ In this dull, cold month I look out of my study window. While the rest of the country has snow with all it’s pros and cons, we have the thinnest layer of snow which as it rains is turning to ice, a lethal combination for anyone over 50.

As I consider how I’m going to safely get to the shops, I stop to think about a ‘happy heart.’ Am I giving thanks to the God who has sent this ice and snow for the rest of the country? Because everything is under His control this weather is in His plan. Then I look again and see th3e smallest cluster of snowdrops in my garden. A promise of spring and time I can spend in the garden.

I spy a lone robin foraging amongst the seed I have scattered on the lawn. God cares for the birds, surely He will care for me. Then I can give thanks for all His many blessings, the physical ones, the spiritual ones. No, the sun is not shining in my city but it is shining in my heart.

It is heartening news that all adults will be vaccinated by the summer. We are all suffering from covid fatigue. We want the end to be in sight. Let us not forget and give thanks to the scientists working hard in their labs to develop these vaccines. It is the way out for our country and for the whole world.

Can we also stop and think where the scientists got their skill from. It is God who is behind all this work. God provided the raw materials. Yes, we think the technical people are skilled and give them praise but let us never forget where the real power lies. Without God we would all be nothing.

In the past I’ve disliked February and been thankful that it’s only had 28 or 29 days. This year I think differently. February contains Valentine’s Day, a day to spread and receive love. This year it has Shrove Tuesday, pancakes, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. More causes to rejoice Flowers are beginning to appear in the gardens and hedgerows. Birds are returning and birdsong is increasing.

So this year I’m going to enjoy February and take pleasure in every day.

Our church is an old building in the middle of the High Street. At the front are a number of windows. Some artistic people in our church have filled them with dangling butterflies. With a background of fir trees, they look lovely. As the church is situated right near the traffic lights, cars stop there waiting for the lights to change colours. I hope their hearts are uplifted when they see our butterflies.

Just read this about David before he went off to fight Goliath.(well, he actually went off to take supplies to his brothers. Just image going out for a picnic and ending up killing a giant. That would have been something for him to blog about!!)

1 Samuel 17:20 ‘Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd.’ I got to thinking about the shepherds at the nativity. There is no Biblical record of their leaving their sheep with another shepherd. Were they so overcome by the angels that they forgot their sheep. God would see they were alright. Did they take a lamb to Jesus as traditional says, though the Bible doesn’t. If so, what would Mary and Joseph do with a bleating lamb?

I volunteer once a week at my local hospital as part of the Chaplaincy team. The nurses and other members of staff who have to wear masks all day find they chaff behind the ears.

So with other members of the team we knit or crochet mask straps which fit round the back of the head and then the mask hooks onto buttons on either side of the strap. Judging by the number I knit each week, they are very popular.

Another day is dawning, please Master let it be

In waking or in sleeping, another day for Thee.

Another day of service, of witness for Thy love

Another day of training for holier work above,

Another day is dawning, dear Father let be

On earth, or else, in heaven, another day for Thee.

Frances Ridley actually used the word ‘year’ instead of day, but it equally applies to every day as well.

In my part of the country we’re suffering with ice. I have a friend who couldn’t have her vaccine because she was iced in. I do feel for her. I’ve just ordered some chains to go on my shoes, so you can be sure the ice will soon be gone!

With a continued lockdown it’s the little things that are becoming difficult – a light bulb which has gone but I’m not tall enough to replace and a landline phone that needs replacing but I don’t understand the instructions.

There is good new on the horizon we are nearly to the end of January, snowdrops are popping up in gardens and soon it will be warm enough for me to work in my garden.

Yes, God is good.

‘Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-3

I just had to share this with you.

This phrase occurred to me the other day. It describes life at the moment. then a friend commended it must have felt like that at the crucifixion. So dark, so frightening.
We are in that dark place but better days are coming. Love, hope and a better dawn are on the horizon.