Little Thought 6

I had the privilege of spending a short time on a boat in Greece recently. No responsibilities, no deadlines, no demands … what a rare treat! However, this gift quickly and unexpectedly turned into an unpleasant drama due to an accident. In an instance plans halted and significant consequences ensued.

Despite the catastrophic nature to our wellbeing when such things happen, and the need to navigate new waters, God is not caught out nor surprised. Accidents happen to us all but do they knock our faith or cause us to notice more deeply and intentionally God’s knowledge, care and very real presence in every moment? 

We get knocked down but we can get back up again … stronger, wiser, more aware of others and ready to rise into being the even better version of ourselves that God created us to be. 

Scars are a sign of healing, a poignant reminder of progress through pain, refining our characters so as to fulfil our unique God given purpose with the help of Him alone who is the source of every tiny thing that we may need to continue. 

The Message puts Ephesians 3v20 this way: “God can do anything, you know – far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us”.

Ingrid x

Little Thought 5

I attended a talk recently, given by Sir Terry Waite and one of the things which stuck with me was his simple message of “act within your sphere of influence”. I’ve heard it before, but coming from him in the context of the talk gave it more weight.

We do all have a sphere of influence, some to a greater degree in the sense of reaching vast numbers of people whereas others may only reach a few local to where they live. 

In Luke chapter 10 Jesus shares the parable of the good Samaritan to show us who our neighbour is. It turns out that anyone we see in need, is in fact our neighbour. This could be in the literal sense of our neighbourhood or perhaps someone we come alongside whilst on holiday far from home.

We may often be unaware of any ripple effect which our input into our neighbours’ lives may have, but if we continue to act justly, seek mercy and walk humbly before our God and do so within our area of influence on earth, then we can leave the outcomes to God. 

Our responsibility is to just keep doing the next right thing.

Ingrid x

Little Thought 4

Apparently, I am a geriatric mother because I had my children whilst in my 40’s. Now that I am 50 and still have young children, I am often bombarded with a cacophony of sounds.

In 1 Kings 19 v 12 it refers to God’s “still, small voice”. I sometimes wish my children would speak in still, small voices and as you would imagine it’s often pretty tricky to find God’s voice in the daily chaos of our home. Or so I used to think …

I now realise that God’s kindness and compassion, His great understanding of our current circumstances, means that He talks to us in whatever form or way is most appropriate. For me this will usually mean that throughout the busyness and demands of my day, He can be present in a thought, in a song, in an email, in nature, even in a WhatsApp message.

I struggle to get up early, so for me a designated quiet time before the day starts just doesn’t happen … maybe it will during another season of my life, but I know that my circumstances do not hinder God’s attention in noticing my need, in coming alongside me and providing a little word, a little encouragement, just when I need it.

God uses different methods during different times in our lives to still connect, to still maintain that relationship with us and speak to our souls whether it comes as a loud shout or a still, soft voice. As a busy mother, employee, and friend, I am very grateful for that. His voice arrives as a wonderful reassurance of his presence, peace and provision.

Ingrid x

Little Thought 3

In a recent UCB word for the day I read “When people attempt to use situations to destroy you, God can use them to develop you. He delights in turning crucifixions into resurrections”. Gosh that’s amazing, isn’t it?! 

In Malachi 3 v 6 God says, “I am the Lord, I change not”. I find it so reassuring to know that the God of resurrections is the same today as he was back in Malachi’s day … steadfast and constant. His desire and greatest delight is always to improve us, nurture and refine us. Our responsibility is to simply allow it. 

Surely living in the reality of resurrection whatever it is you have been through, or are currently enduring, enables a perspective of hope and provides a platform for peace, knowing that the one true God seeks a better future for you as an individual. I for one, want to start claiming this truth in my life.

Ingrid x

Little Thought 2

I have been a victim and am a survivor of domestic abuse. I have experienced fear and isolation; I have felt ostracised and condemned. During a global pandemic I have been a lone parent to a 4yr old and 2yr old twins whilst representing myself through court. I know what it is like to see and feel only darkness … seemingly no hope or light. God’s voice and presence appear absent.

Yet I agree with the sentiment that faith does see best in the dark even if we’re not always aware of it. How did I or do you get through that particular day? My only answer can be ‘Yet not I but through Christ in me’ … my only true hope for any security in this life and the next, is Jesus. If He is in me then He will carry me whether I recognise His presence or not.

Many of you will know the passage in Isaiah 61 which talks about beauty from ashes. When something or someone feels so broken and so helpless, it is only ever God who can pour that oil of joy and perfect the beautification of what has been crushed.
Remember God cannot lie. He is the righteous judge. He is a faithful God. He is never weary of listening and helping. Despite our doubt and fears, He is ever present, in fact He is upstream … ahead of us, paving the way for our next step, our next breath on this temporary journey called life on earth.

Ingrid x

Little Thought 1

I recently went on a morning dog walk and the verse from Psalm 8 popped into my head ‘Oh Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth’, and the words that seemed to appear highlighted were ‘in all the earth’. 

I tend to see God in forests; in trees; in bluebell woods; in the beauty of bird song. I live in a rural village setting and that’s where I hear God, that’s where I feel at peace and can just meditate and pray while I’m out walking or just sitting in my garden.

And yet in ‘all the earth’… it just struck me that no matter where you are; no matter your surroundings … whether you’re in a desert; up a mountain; in a very stark, flat landscape without trees or in the middle of a bustling city … in the humid heat of a rainforest or in the cooler temperatures of the Arctic terrain, God knows you … You can find God, and His name can be exalted. 

His name is great, no matter your geographical location and environmental surroundings … God is good; God is there … God sees and God cares … whatever your immediate circumstances involve, you can talk to Him and you can choose to praise His name.

Ingrid x

Relinquishing Control

Hello my lovely readers.

I've been feeling a pull toward writing again, so here I am simply to share my recent thoughts as jumbled as they may be!

Something which has often been my stark reality is the struggle between retaining some form of control in my life, or particularly a specific area of my life at a certain time, versus a true and total dependance on God.

I suppose it comes down to knowledge and trust. Knowing who to trust ... Knowing God our Father enough to implicitly trust that he will most definitely listen, care, see and provide. He doesn't need to be early and he most certainly won't be late because his timing is perfect and his will and way are always for our best. 

That may suggest that if I struggle to trust him and keep clawing at self-sufficiency and control, I don't really know him enough, because if I did then I wouldn't get so anxious. That could well be the case ... in fact who among us can boast a full and comprehensive knowledge of God? So yes, I do need to daily increase my knowledge of him and this will emphatically develop a natural dependence on him for all things.

However, I am a huge advocate for the plight of the daily grind and the constraints our humanity has on us. It's my reality that I am more often distracted by day to day life than my dependence on God. I've been on the receiving end of a very controlling relationship and to say the least, it's not nice. As a consequence I am protective about the things I can control when it comes to my children and my home most especially. It's hard to 'let go' and 'let God' sometimes.

Right now the best that I can do is to see God's hand in my life through the reflection of experiences and to know that his provision has always been best, it's never been late and throughout the struggle times, he's helped carry me through. He will continue to do this ... the Bible is full of promises to this effect and as God cannot lie, I can safely settle into the knowledge that his unchangeable, constant care will never end or take a break.

I heard this: "When God is all I have, I realise God is all I need". I need to live more like that. It evokes freedom and diminishes anxiety.

Ingrid x