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Tuesday thoughts and a reflection for Wednesday.

Sometimes it’s hard to find words to put life into. Not necessarily because life is exceptionally good or bad, because it’s just life. And even if the day-to-day brings many reflections and processes with it, typing them out in a manner that is understandable beyond the author isn’t always as easy as thinking them.

 I love writing, and yet months have passed since updating this blog. A blog I write mostly as a reminder to myself of what my journey these years has looked like; because like most people I am prone to forgetting once something new fills up the space in my immediate memory.

I am sat at my kitchen table. A half-written page of my journal lies next to me, and a vase of wilted tulips stand in front of me. On my wall I have a small selection of photos of loved ones and those I have met on some of my journeys. Faces that bring a smile to my heart.

It’s Tuesday evening and as good a time as any for a short reflection...

Today I was busy wrapping gifts to bring to our women’s evening in the local prison tomorrow. It not being the most demanding task mentally, it gave me ample time to think. I thought about church on Sunday, where I listened to a teenage girl share a bit of what her walk the past year has been about: a journey of “seeing the one”. A journey of being faithful and intentionally seeing and encouraging each one she meets. She shared with such joy and life of how something as small as smiling or wishing someone a good day can make a huge difference. And how it’s available for all of us. It was such a powerful reminder, and something I take with me. I don’t have to try to see the multitudes or masses, but simply be present and available to the person in front of me.

And I thought about what to share at the women’s evening to encourage them in what they are going through. And I remembered a situation in Brazil some years ago. We were organising a women’s lunch, and as we were handing out invitations in the brothels, one of them women said that my hair was so beautiful. I turned to her and said the simple phrase: “You are beautiful!”. Later that day we held the lunch, and many of the women came. It was a beautiful time of really honouring and bringing value and love to them. Towards the end of the lunch, as we were finishing up, I saw the woman I had met earlier, and she called me over. As I came up to her she called out to her friend, and pointing at me exclaimed: “This is the woman who called me beautiful!” It was such a strong reminder of the power of words, and of how a simple phrase, spoken in a matter of seconds, can make a difference that lasts a life-time... if the person chooses to receive it.

And so that is what I want to share with the women tomorrow. That our words can build life, and that it doesn’t take a lot of them to impact someone else’s life But also, that kind words given to us by others can change our lives, and make a difference in our hearts... if we choose to receive them and believe them.

So there you go... a few simple thoughts on a Tuesday evening. A reminder about seeing the one and speaking life- which if lived out can make a huge difference to us and those who cross our path.

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