In part one I mentioned how isolation has caused many insecurities to bubble up to the surface. Insecurities stem, in part, from all the past mistakes I’ve made. However, the present, presents its own unique problems. I often fear I don’t have enough. Enough time, patience, attention, skill, gentleness, wisdom (fill in the blank) …
Not Waving but DrowningBy Stevie Smith “Nobody heard him, the dead man, But still he lay moaning:I was much further out than you thought And not waving but drowning. Poor chap, he always loved larkingAnd now he’s deadIt must have been too cold for him his heart gave way, They said. Oh, no no no, …
When I was a child, the lights on our Christmas tree stopped working. I found the one that was broken and discovered that the cause was a loose wire. I had enough intelligence to get that far. However, I then went and got myself a metal fork. Without switching off the lights at the socket, …
How many interruptions do you have in a day? If you are a mother, the number is probably quite high. However, we all face interruptions to our work and leisure, whether or not we have children. A question that has been on my mind a lot is: ‘how should I respond?’ An interruption, by its …
The Bible teaches that, one day, everything we have done will be laid bare. All of our achievements, motivations and mistakes. Our work will be tested to see if any of it is of lasting worth. (Hebrews 4:13, 1 Corinthians 3:13). Growing up, I always wanted to do something big and important with my …
Is your soul like a ‘weaned’ child or a ‘weaning’ child? My Grandmother sometimes tells me the story of when she looked after my sisters and me while my Mum was away. My youngest sister wasn’t quite weaned yet. At night, she screamed and screamed and couldn’t be comforted. The source of her comfort was …
As I get older I’m starting to realise how much I am like my Mum and Dad. It is not a bad thing. My parents have a lot of good qualities that I am grateful they passed on. But occasionally I might come out with a strange phrase like: “Don’t panic Mr Mannering,” and think: …
Raising children is mentally exhausting. The noise and questions are constant! Conversations are generally interrupted and so are thoughts. Being stuck in the house during lockdown has made the noise even louder. It is hard to think clearly about anything – whether replying to messages, making plans or writing blogs. It affects my prayer life …
In the 34th chapter of John Bunyan’s ‘Pilgrims Progress’, Christian and Hopeful, two of the main characters, encounter the river of death. Crossing the river is their last big challenge before entering the pearly gates of God’s city. They step in the water. Hopeful finds his feet on solid ground but Christian isn’t so lucky. …
A few days ago we were going out for a walk. I called our baby girl to the front door. She was on the other end of a messy lounge. Smiling, she bottom-shuffled through all the obstacles: duplo, books, cushions. She was headed for her goal and wouldn’t be stopped! The next morning I sat …