I love my dad. He’s smart and kind and honest and — brilliant. ‘You take after me,’ he says. I smile; but I don’t believe it. I thought you knew me better than anyone, dad. Why don’t you see it? How can you get me so wrong? I’m not the girl he thinks I am. ‘Take heart,’ he says, but I’m scared. ‘Rest,’ he says, but I run. ‘It’s OK to be you,’ he says, yet I pull on a …Read More
Thanks for all of your prayers and messages of support for us over the next few weeks and months. Thanks too for reading this blog! I realised today, it’s been nearly nine years. So to celebrate, here’s my very first post… I’ve finally caved in. I am now ‘a blogger.’ I’ve been holding out against this for a long time. My husband’s been nagging me to blog ever since he started 3 years ago. I’ve always called myself a …Read More
Glen and I are thrilled to say that we’re going to be adopting a wee brother for Ruby! He’ll be coming home to us in the next few weeks and we would just LOVE your prayers for him and for us as we start a new chapter of family life; especially in the coming months. As you’ll understand, we can’t share any more information about him (at least for now). Sorry! But this is a kind of birth announcement. We …Read More
1. Hang the blame in mid-air. I’m sorry if there was a miscommunication. 2. Pin the blame on the other person’s feelings I’m sorry you feel this way… 3. Pin the blame on their actions I’m sorry. But there really wasn’t any other option after you did X… 4. Use a great big BUT. I’m sorry but… c’mon! What do you expect?! 5. Express so much grief, there’s no room for the feelings of the other …Read More
you are not a mind reader. No-one else is thinking about how weird you are. Odds on, they’re thinking about how weird they are. you do not have a crystal ball. It might feel like catastrophe is imminent, but you’ve had those feelings before (many times perhaps), and you’re still standing. Daily bread is what you need. And daily bread is what you have. Don’t worry about tomorrow. it’s really ok to have mental health struggles. That makes you one in …Read More
There’s a certain kind of tiredness that no amount of sleep can touch. Where does it come from, this weariness? it’s the news – a steady stream of sadness that drips drips drips till you’re leaking soundbites and you can’t tell what matters and what’s just noise it’s polite chit-chat and stabs behind the cup-cakes it’s the magazine articles that tell you to be yourself and what that self should be it’s the queue at the post office and the …Read More
It’s Autism Awareness month, so here’s a few misconceptions… It’s an illness. ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is not an illness or disease but a group of symptoms and behaviours that affect how people experience and react to the world around them. If you’ve got it, you can’t ‘cure’ it (you’re born with it, though it might be diagnosed in later life) – but you can learn ways of managing some of the issues it raises. It’s a new condition – …Read More
What am I here for? What makes me special? How should I spend my money and my time? Great questions; with a million possible answers. Go on a retreat. Declutter your home. Start a business. Meet your soul mate. Buy something you’ve always wanted. Move to the country. These are good things; but not enough to give life meaning. And that’s Christianity 101, right? Life is about getting to know Jesus more; and making Him known to others. But what does this …Read More
Guest post from Glen… Imagine this: You book your dream holiday destination. You can’t quite believe it. It fronts directly onto the beach. Right from your bedroom you have panoramic views of the sparkling water and gleaming white sands. And it’s cost you next to nothing. You’re amazed you’ve managed to pick up such a bargain. You arrive at your destination, full of hope and there is your accommodation: a tent. Is that what you expected? Everything depends on your …Read More
I’m listening for as long as you want to talk. How does/did it feel telling me? I’m so glad you shared this. That can’t have been easy and it means a lot that you trust me. Can you explain a little more about X? I want to make sure I understand what you’re saying. This doesn’t change how much I care about you and our friendship. This doesn’t change how much God loves you and is committed to you. I …Read More
