Finding joy in the everyday

Elizabeth Prentiss (1818 - 1878) was a frail woman who suffered intensely from chronic insomnia all her life. Few knew  this.  Despite her misery and suffering, the world saw a radiant face. She was described as a bright-eyed woman with a keen sense of humour.  One of the darkest days of her life was on January 16, 1852 when her son Eddy died. The five-year-old had broken into a rash and fever. Elizabeth did the little that the doctors could suggest in an attempt to save his life. After Eddy died she recognized that going to Jesus was a great blessing for him, however much pain it cost her; and she wrote lines in which she urged him, " O, hasten hence! to His [Christ's] embraces, hasten! "* We all could learn a thing or two from ladies such as Elizabeth Prentiss. A woman rarely free of pain and suffering, almost an invalid, could still put on a cheerful smile and r adiant face. No matter what is thrown your way or what the Lord asks you to do - whether that ...

After the hustle and bustle of daily life, f or me, ending the day quietly and peacefully is very important.  My husband and I usually go to bed at around 9:30 these days and for the next hour or so I read (my husband likes to go to sleep). There is nothing nicer than being all cosy in bed at the end of the day reading quietly (perhaps with a mug of hot chocolate on the bed stand).  The house is perfectly still, even the cats are resting, dogs are asleep and there is complete calmness.  I couldn't think of better way to end each day. I usually have two books on the go — one is a novel or perhaps something non-fiction and the other is my daily Christian reading. In the evening I read my novel for a short time then switch to my daily devotional/bible reading and my journal writing (which includes my daily “thankfulness” list). Following this, I usually read a chapter from my Christian reading pile — at present its Plenty for Everyone by Corrie Ten B...

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these. It sounds so simple.  So why have we behaved so badly at loving our neighbours? Why have we treated so appalling those of different colour skin? Why have so many die because of their religion?  Why are women treated like second-class citizens in so many countries? Why are there so many in poverty whilst others live in mansions? Why do we walk past a homelessness man and look the other way? Why do some think it is acceptable to beat up a homosexual man? Why are we so reluctant to help a family in need? Why? As humans we are selfish, thoughtless and we really don't care. Anyone less fortunate, not as wealthy, not in power, not white, of a different religion, different to us - we treat as less than ourselves, we turn our backs on them. Not worthy of our attention. We often do it without even thinking. At times in history we have...

To encourage others (and myself) to find joy in the everyday, I have decided to start something new. Each week I will be posting a simple photo, a  quote, a passage from a book, a bible verse, perhaps a hymn or something else that has given me joy during the week. I have chosen Sunday - the Lord's Day as He has asked us to be joyful, so lets do just that.  1#  Flowers on our dinning table.  &  Miss Beatrix Bunny keeping guard. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2 ****

Good morning ladies,  Husbands are very sweet.  Mine thought I needed shoes that were strong and sturdy for walking in wet and muddy areas. He didn't like the idea of me slipping and falling. So off we went this morning to find a pair of walking shoes - he wanted to be there to make sure I choose the right ones. Whilst these were not my favourite colour (my husband couldn't understand the whole colour thing), they are very comfortable and fit the definition of "sturdy".  Sadly the red pair that I really wanted weren't in my size so I went for practicality rather than style and colour!! Whilst we were out, we stopped off to have a coffee (which DH didn't like) and hot chocolate (which I thought was pretty good) before quickly dashing to pick up some Easter eggs for my son and his wife.  What do you have planned for today? Once I have done a few chores around the house (the bathroom does need a quick wipe over and I have some hand washi...

Rupert Bear There are certain illustrations that take me back to my childhood in an instances, Rupert Bear would have to be one of them.  I loved Rupert Bear. I found reading difficult as a child, however that didn't stop me from spening hours with books looking at their illustrations and letting my mind create its own stories.  So who wrote and illustrated of Rupert Bear and friends? Well, there is more than one. Mary Turtel (nee Caldwell) and Alfred Bestall. Mary  (1874 - 1948)  was raised in an artistic family, daughter of a stained glass artiste and stonemason. Mary first created Rupert Bear in the 1920s as part of a competition. Rupert was first published as a nameless character, in a comic strip titled Little Lost Bear.  Mary retired in 1935 after her eyesight deteriorated, however her strip were continued by a Punch illustrator, Alfred Bestall.  Alfred Bestall (1892 - 1986) was born in Burma and died in Wales. He wrote and i...

Dear friends, I would like to introduce you to my new best friend - Chanel.  Chanel and I plan to do great things together, create masterpieces and works of art.  How did Chanel come into my life? I was very excited to see that Aldi was having a "sewing" week and selling all things sewing, including the mannequins. I had wanted a mannequin for ages but they were too pricy for me, until know.  I rushed to Aldi 10 minutes before opening time, queued in line with my hot chocolate and trolley and at 8:30am rushed in to pick up Chanel (not that I had even thought of a name at that point).  Fortunately most people didn't want the mannequins,they were more excited by the Singer sewing machine and the Overlockers.  I carefully placed my mannequin in the trolley and took her to the cash register. I was willing and happy to adopt this new friend.  As I quietly waited to pay  (recovering from racing to reach the sewing products) the ...