Saturday Catch-Up - 30th March 2019

It's 2:15am as I sit and draft this blog post. It's a quiet night in the Winter Night Shelter, and all the guests are fast asleep. It's my last overnight duty as the Shelter shuts on Sunday.  I have the dulcet tones of Kate Bush on my headphones as I sit in the dark, blogging. I had quite a busy day today at work, however I achieved everything I set out to do. It's my turn to give something back tonight.

I am so full of energy, despite the wierd hours I need to keep because of the shelter.

And I am feeling amazingly content.

I feel really blessed tonight.

Saturday Catch-Up - 23rd March 2019

Psalm 37: 1-6 (NIV)
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

Saturday Catch-Up - 16th March 2019

"I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down..."
(lyrics from 'Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba)

(sigh)
I sprained my ankle on Tuesday. However, it didn't stop me. I got up again, and carried on. I've been through so much over the last few months, so I'm not going to let a little bruising and a little pain get in my way.

So I carry on.

A bit slower than usual, however I am still going.

Bruce Wayne: I wanted to save Gotham. I've failed.
Alfred: Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.
Bruce: You still haven't given up on me?
Alfred: Never.
(dialogue from 'Batman Begins' movie, 2005)

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Saturday Catch-Up - 9th March 2019

In this, the most stressful time of the year for me, I know that I am blessed. Which is such an improvement on the way I felt this time last week...

Thankfully, I was reminded of this in a series of emails that I received this week. Emails from a well-known Christian writer, and most timely, too... Coincidentally, I didn't have a chance to read the emails until I took the day off on Friday, and had chance to catch up on my own inbox!

The emails reminded me of one of the perils of our modern society - with all the things the 21st Century has given us, we can miss out on time to rest. We're often pushed to the limit, and maxed out on everything. We cram so much in to our busy days.

But that’s not God's way.

God, in his goodness, created rest because He considers it just as important as work. You need to get enough rest if you want to stay healthy. And by healthy, that includes all aspects of your health - your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters”

Saturday Catch-Up - 2nd March 2019

Lord, I'm not feeling at my best this week. To be brutally honest.

I've been trying to keep going, to keep moving, trying to lift my mood where I can. It's been... difficult. I feel that I'm running on empty. I often feel that I've simply been going through the motions.

I've been trying to push myself through the barriers caused by my negative feelings, through the lethargy. My life is quite dark at the moment.

Lord, all I can do is affirm the goodness of life and try to hold on to you until the darkness that I see is replaced by your light and love.

I know that I am loved. Life will be beautiful again. Soon, I will see it once again. Help me to see it.

I need you to be my strength and salvation. I need you to restore me and make me whole.

Fill me with your Word and your Spirit that I might be recreated anew.

Amen.