Skip to main content

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.

Popular posts from this blog

Taking in the familiar and a heart connected.

Amsterdam. It still has that muggy feeling in Summer, and a constant flow of people which if you stop to think about it, it's quite amazing that there would even be space to accommodate them all. But then I guess they are not all staying. Just passing through on their way to or from somewhere. It's always good for the heart to visit somewhere that was once home. The familiarity of streets and customs makes it easier to embrace what might be new as well as the joy of being reacquainted with old friends. Friends. So many of them to be found in this city, ready with hugs and good words that are uttered when seeing someone who was away again. Friendship. A treasure that cannot be bought. Cobblestones trodden by many, including myself. Sitting on a bench. Praying. Remembering the first time I stumbled upon this area lined with windows with red lights and curtains. An area which has come to represent no longer windows, but people to me. Some still behind a window. Others who have ...
Read more

Getting to know the local culture.

Life is a strange thing. Last week went…not much happened, and then it was over. The weekend was quite calm without too many wild and exciting things happening. Except, of course, a wee outing to watch the National Championship for Veteran Ploughing. Now, like me, you might be sadly lacking an understanding of what this actually means. So I am delighted to be able to enlighten you in this respect. It’s basically (for the “farm-language-illiterate” like myself) a competition where you use old (hence the name “veteran”) tractors and ploughs, and plough up a stretch of field which is then evaluated and the one scoring the highest sum (accuracy, depth, how well the soil is turned is all given points) wins. I must admit that this information I got by eavesdropping on a conversation next to me where a man was explaining to some of my friends how it all works. So that was a fun adventure….although we only stayed for a bit. What is sort of occupying my mind at present is my upcoming travel abr...
Read more

What was your dream?- scraping the surface of the heart of Albania

“What was your dream when you were 20?” That was a question our guide asked us as we were standing outside a huge derelict cement monument in Tirana, the capital of Albania. We’d spent the day touring and hearing a lot about the history and journey of Albania, a young country with more Albanians living in other countries than in Albania itself. A country where tourism has only really been built up the past 30 years. It was eye opening to hear more of the history, and it made me realise that this country is so much more than meets the eye. A country where the beaches and tourist area of Durres Riviera was packed with tourists, mostly from the Balcan area. A country where hospitality is ingrained in the culture, and where the friendliness of the people was noticeable. After a pause to let us reflect over the question of dreams, for some thinking further back than others, our guide told us that for him it had been to own a pair of jeans. That simple fact said so much. Both of what he...
Read more