Monday April 20th, a thought from Nicole McConkey
Honestly, life is a struggle, isn’t it! We’re spending so much time inside the house at the moment. But today we went for a walk. It takes a bit of courage – I find it stressful when there are too many other people about. (What have we become?!) We didn’t stick to the paths, walked through the grass or alongside smaller dirt paths hidden away. My whole being was soaking up the beauty of this little patch of nature, of blossoms and colours, little fresh green leaves coming out of their buds! I took a few pictures but mostly just stored it all in my heart. And I realised: I was craving beauty. I was craving nature. Or maybe I was just longing for the Creator. Today we met.
Thank you, Creator of Heaven and Earth, for revealing yourself through your creation even in such a time as this. Amen
Tuesday April 21st, a thought from Sandra Brower
The window was open this morning at my desk where I was working. The wind that blew took me back to another time and place; there was something about it that reminded me of Canada. My husband said, ‘it’s because it’s warm and sunny out but the wind is a bit chilly like a Canadian spring.’ The turning of the seasons is always more drastic there than here, and today I was reminded of the tell-tale signs of the springtime of my childhood. What signs do you look for or long for that mark a change of season? In our Christian journey, we’ve moved from the season of Lent to Easter. What is in the process of changing in your life? Take time to notice the buds that are waiting to burst forth with new vigour. Appreciate the hard pruning you have undergone, making way for new, perhaps healthier life. And be reminded today that the wind of the Spirit is ushering in a new creation.
Wednesday April 22nd, a thought from Nicole McConkey
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders…
There is a worship song I love. The chorus goes: “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever you may call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Saviour.” But I’ve started to wonder whether I really wanted that prayer answered. See, I didn’t want to find myself in a pandemic, in lockdown, threatened by a horrible virus. I guess we don’t choose crisis out of our own will. I don’t believe God sends us there either. But I do believe it is exactly during those moments that we find ourselves most open to being stretched, transformed and open for God to speak. Now to find the quietness to hear him speak in the midst of this home schooling craziness!
Thursday April 23rd, a thought from Steve Birkinshaw
In our garden we have a special apple tree – the variety is Katy apple. In the past few weeks it has begun to blossom, giving us ‘hope’ for a bumper crop. Other trees in the area are also blossoming – pink and white especially – signs of hope this Springtime. Hope is a core theme of Easter, and of course Spring. 1 Peter 1 reminds us ‘By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’ When we re-tell our Easter story, and talk about the signs of God’s promise and our hopes for this life and in the next, we’re reminded in the blossom (and other ways) of glimpses of what is to come.
This Easter season, Lord, may we know more deeply your living hope in our lives.
Amen.
Friday April 24th, a thought from Elizabeth McCulloch
Psalm 23 is one of my favourite Psalms. It is probably the most well known.
During this time of distancing and “staying at home” I’ve been reflecting on the psalm.
In green pastures?……not always
Beside still waters?……not always
But in the midst of stormy waters and times of uncertainty He restores my soul.
Restore means to repair, revive, renovate.
He repairs, revives and renovates our anxious minds and tired bodies. He restores our serenity. He doesn’t just patch up, He restores.
May my spirit be restored so that I might share your peace. Amen
(Lindisfarne scriptorium)
Saturday April 25th, a thought from Colin McConkey
I recently heard someone say ‘Fear sees a threat, anxiety imagines it’. I am not sure about you, but for me I spend too much time these days being anxious. Someone coughs next to where I am working and I wonder is it a Covid cough. A customer gets a little too close and I am soon wondering/ hoping/ praying they don’t have Covid.
Our peace is not dependent on circumstances but on our awareness of God. When it increases our anxiety decreases.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4v7.