I had four of my grandchildren sitting around the kitchen dining table eating their afternoon tea after school. I had been on “pick up from school duty.” They had previously in the car been singing an alphabet song over and over trying to get the words right. After about the tenth time they were all happy with what they had worked out was the final product. I interrupted their chatter and singing by asking them could they sing it in an operatic voice, which they very happily did.  At the top of their lungs mind you. I then asked them to sing it angrily, which they did. Then with emotion…

Looking at the clock and seeing the time, my body and mind sighed in unison. Can’t sleep. Tossing and turning. So tired but the body and mind won’t relax enough. Frustrated I get out of bed and make myself a warm milk, put on some quiet calm music, man myself with a warm wheat bag to put on the offending aching muscles and try again. Lately as my husband is rising to start the day, I’m crawling back into bed to get just a few hours. So frustrating! Is it insomnia or just the aching muscles keeping me awake? I’m not anxious. Over the years I hopefully have learnt to…

God’s amazing backyard. As I sit and contemplate today, the views are breathtaking. Full of God’s awe and wonder. Lush green paddocks on which the cows are grazing set before purple hewed vegetation sitting upon a mountain called Franklin. The air is fresh and smells of scents from the surrounding flora. Ahh! Such beauty! Simply amazing! All of God’s work! I have been blessed to be able to come away down south to the Valley of the Giants and the Tree top walk. A walk constructed 70m above the forest and in the canopy of the giant tingle trees, the only place in the world they grow. Similar to the…

Back sore, muscles talking to me, but it was so worth it. Bruce, Sandra and I held an afternoon session in Brisbane. Hoping to encourage some of the people who follow the Daily devotionals in The Catholic Guy Ministry or Heart Ministry. What happened was special. Firstly, we were encouraged by the people who came. We went away ourselves feeling like we were ministered to! But the main reason it was good was that the Holy Spirit was present. We are believing for His work in us to continue to transform all our hearts. I came away reflective. Asking God for greater direction and His hand to be upon me…

The dry sore throat started around the same time as the irritating slow nasal drip. I was coming down with a cold. I moaned internally. This was not a time to get a cold. My calendar was full of appointments, ones where I needed a clear mind and extra strength to grapple with them. I prayed that the cold would not progress any further and that my immune system would win the battle. Do you ever pray prayers like that? Prayers that ask God into your day, into your situation. God is so interested in you, in me, in our lives that he loves it when we include Him. He…