Carol’s Blog

As the number of cases of covid 19 are increasing in every country and the virus goes on and goes it is easy to become weary. We have obeyed all the rules (most of us) and yet the figures are the highest yet. With God’s help we just need to hang in there. God is at work in people’s hearts. We will come out of this period. There will be life after the pandemic.

The psalmist suffered in the same way. When we read some of his psalms we can take hope. God is on to the problem. We might not see it but He is there working. vaccines are now being developed and administered. Look to God, He is our only hope and He will sustain us i n the meantime.

Decorations are down and stashed away for another year. Our presents are eaten, broken, appreciated and thanked for. Carol sheets are slipped back in their folders, while New Year resolutions are wavering. All over for another year.

But is it? Did Christmas 2020 make a difference to our lives? Plunged into 2021 will we live differently and better?. On our own we won’t manage; we need the help of the Holy Spirit to reach God’s potential for us this year. May God bless and guide you all.

I imagine this will be the most unpopular programme at the moment. It used to sound exciting to be on our own away from all the stresses and problems and sun ourselves on a warm sandy beach.

The reality is very different as we’ve found in the last nine months. We have our peace and quiet and many of us are alone. But the stresses and problems are still with us. How can I get my shopping, dare I go on a bus? How can i get anyone to do anything in the house? I want to hug my loved ones. I’ve not touched another human being since last March.

We were formed for community. We are meant to be in families. 2021 gives us new hope. Soon we will be hugging and shaking hands. Before long we will be enjoying meals together. I pray God may make His presence felt soon.

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?