Acknowledge your feelings but remind them that you’re in charge. Think of them as a two year-old who needs reassurance and a bit of loving firmness. Remember, you have felt like this before; and it was all ok. If in doubt, stick to your usual plan/routine. (The one you made before your brain was flooded with adrenalin). But Don’t try to do too much. It’s tempting to over schedule when you’re stressed, but you need downtime too. Work out …Read More
Dear 13 year-old me. First, the good news. There is an adult you and she’s doing ok. You will survive your exams. You live in a world without social media. In a few years, you won’t care so much about what everyone else thinks about you – but there’s some work for God to do first. You have a daughter AND a lovely husband. (NB: when the ‘love of your life’ dumps you, don’t panic. He’s not the One). You …Read More
My daughter has just started nursery. For a three year-old this is a very big deal, so we talked beforehand about what she could expect. A new place and new people. New things to learn; new toys and routines. ‘Mummy and daddy won’t be there’ we said, ‘but you can take Derek.’ Derek is Ruby’s dinosaur; and where she goes, he follows. The park and the toilet and the beach and the bus. She told Derek ‘I love you,’ long …Read More
My birthday’s coming up and my daughter keeps asking, ‘how old are you?’ So I’ve taught her to say ‘one, two, three, four -ty.’ Life’s too short to do the whole count. Left to myself, I’d wail, ‘The best is over!’ But I have far too much to be thankful for. Forty years in which I’ve known the Lord’s goodness. Forty years of being carried. Forty years of manna and forty years of grace. 480 months, 2080 weeks, 14600 days, …Read More
Jesus said it would be hard and that we have an enemy who wants to make us give up. So if you’re feeling discouraged, don’t be surprised. When the serpent tells you ‘it’s pointless’, fight back. God knew that the dog would throw up and a friend would disappoint you. Lean on Him and He will give you what you need for right now. The world is broken. Our bodies; our brains; our relationships; our bathrooms! But the broken fridge …Read More
Would it help to talk? I can’t pretend I can fix it, but I’d love to listen. Here’s what I love about you… You are not a burden. Can I pray for you; now or later, or read to you from the Bible or get some music that might be encouraging? Here’s a Bible verse that has helped me when I was feeling X..and this is why it helped me. Whatever you’re facing, God’s first and last words to you …Read More
When God made you, He knew exactly what He was doing. You’re here because the Lord wants you here. You have a purpose and you matter. You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone else because He has marked out your path, and it is full of meaning. You’re going through hard times because you follow a crucified Lord. It doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It doesn’t mean He’s forgotten you. Your name is written on the palm of …Read More
I’m nervous. There’s a big event approaching and I don’t feel up to it. I’ve prepped and I’ve packed. But as the minutes tick down, I pull out the big guns. A slash of lipstick. A mask of foundation. Concealer to hide my weakness. A cloak of expensive perfume. Painted talons and whitened fangs. Warpaint. And Now I’m ready. What’s your armour? What helps you, when you know you’re not enough? Perhaps it’s food. A wall between you and your …Read More
We’ve just finished watching the series ’13 Reasons Why.’ It’s about a teenage girl, Hannah, who kills herself; and the 13 people she blames for her decision. My feelings on it are mixed. It graphically depicts issues such as self-harm, rape, addiction and suicide; all of which need to be discussed. It also teaches us how to spot warning signs in vulnerable teenagers and to ask, ‘what would I do? How could I have helped?’ These are vital questions; but there …Read More
You can’t fix the past – and you don’t need to. Redemption means that everything, even your worst, your most shameful moments, are covered. They are being woven into something beautiful. You can’t live in the future – and you wouldn’t want to. Even the future you desperately want – the one you dare not name because it’s too painful to open your heart to hope; even that would be no good for you right now. The future needs to …Read More
