Blossoms fall like confetti

The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field, the wind blows over it and it is gone. Ps 103:15-16

What a picture the whole of  the spring countryside is. The wattle by the road side seems more yellow than ever and the pink  blossoms are shedding their flowers, falling like confetti, leaving a floral artwork across the ground and as for the sacred space, well what a place to sit and be with God in a garden of spring colours, perfume and delight  backed by a chorus of  birds singing their morning songs. An elderly lady said to me recently, ' I look more deeply and with more delight every season. I pause taking it all in, the sights, the colour and think to myself enjoy, reflect, smell, stay awhile for I may not be here to enjoy it when it comes around again.'   Just like the flowers, our life is short but oh so much richer if we  stay awhile with God and pause and reflect.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.   Anne, servant of the Lord.

God's love.

A place to snuggle into

 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8-9

Its interesting to observe in the bird life how its often the male that is charged with the responsibility of looking after the babies. I think of the blue wren as an example, keeping watch over a flighty clutch of babies, trying to keep them safe from harm while at the same time learning how to live in a big world and I think how like our Heavenly Father nurturing and caring for us and keeping us safe. I love the image of keeping us under the shadow of his wings, a place we can run too when we are in need of protection and shelter or simply comfort, a place to snuggle into and with that image I also reflected on a family of ducks I see at the lake who keep their babies close by so any signs of danger or any need for comfort they just go for the shelter of 'under the wings' of the parent. May we stay close enough to God to be well within reach of  his comfort and shelter.

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.   Anne, servant of the Lord.

Clear image.

 As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart .Proverbs 27:19

There is nothing more stunning than seeing a beautiful reflection in still water. Sometimes it difficult when looking at  a reflection to see which is the real and which is the reflection.  In a beautiful way we can also look at ourselves and see what our heart reflects about us in the eyes of those looking on. Does it reflect the life and love of Jesus? -  Reflect on this for a moment - Imagine looking into a pool of still water and not seeing the reflection of your face instead you see the face of Jesus looking back at you! 

The  grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.         Anne, servant of the Lord.

By still waters

Thankful under the beauty of the stars and moon for all of God's creation. (Celtic Liturgy) 

I guess for me the sacred space at night holds great awe and wonder topped with the air filled fragrance of the garden, as I pause before turning in to be, as the Celtic liturgy says, thankful under the beauty of the stars and moon for all of God's creation.' How long is it since you paused to take in the floating clouds across the night sky, like ships in the night, or the silver so distant, yet so close moon, or the countless millions of stars glittering in the velvet sky like little lights punching through holes of darkness?  Its in the gazing of the vastness of the universe that the magnitude and awe of God is seen  and my final night prayer goes up in praise: Let your Glory Lord fall in this space - let your fragrance rest in this space.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  Anne, servant of the Lord

In stillness and quiet I find my rest

Side swept by loveliness

 So that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. Romans 15:32

I recall  a drive down a country road taking a day of respite from work and refreshing with a 'spiritual journey' where just God and I in the car set off to see his wonders in creation. At one stage I came to a stop and pausing in moment to look on the flowers growing on the side of the road and as Joyce Rupp would say, 'I was side swept by their loveliness.' With nothing except me and them, all other thoughts had left my mind now filled with beauty and a kaleidoscope of colour - A God moment. Did I go home refreshed? Indeed I did.  Going for a drive or a walk does wonders for the spirit.

May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways.  Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                Roadside blessings

A stilling prayer

 Let us enlist our lives in continuous celebration of God's goodness and greatness. Psalm 145 (Psalms Now. L.E.Brandt)

The sacred space is again bathed in morning light with the coming of spring. Its soft, its peaceful, its quiet except for the joy of the twittering song of  little birds that are also enjoying the change of season, such happy little things like balls of feathers on tiny stick legs. As for the spring flowers and blossoms, well they are just packed with love from God, full of colour and incense. If we stop long enough, I mean really stop long enough, we can feel the power of God holding it all together around  us He is present. He is there. He is all in all.  I often use this quote from Colin Arquhart as a stilling prayer at the day hospice.

The light of God surrounds me. The love of God enfolds me; The power of God protects me. Where I am - God is. 

Jehovah - Shalom. The Lord is peace.  Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                               Where I am God is.

God bless the Queen

 I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27

This is one of my favourite verses from the bible and has been the backbone of my ministry. I recall the words of William Penn when he said ' I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do for any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'   I heard a similar saying from a speech the late Queen Elizabeth the 11 gave when she said :'we are all persons in this life just passing through. May we do our very best to care for all who come our way. ' May we take into our hearts and minds the great Christian love and devotion and service to God and people  as shown to us by our late Queen.

Grace and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ.   Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                Queen Elizabeth 11

God's whisper

 Ever whispering God. (Collect for 13th Sunday after Pentecost)

Ever whispering God, whispering in our hearts and minds in the still of the night and the rush of day. Whispering in the gentle breeze. Whispering in the beauty of the  blossoms of the prunus and wattle tree. Whispering in the sweet perfume of the spring flowers in the garden that greet me every time I open my front door.  Whispering in the first bird call of the morning. Whispering in the love of a puppy.

Ever whispering God, keep our ears and eyes open to hear your whispering.

Jehovah - shalom. The Lord is peace.     Anne, servant of the Lord

                                                Whispering in the wattle tree.

The mark of faith.

 In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. Psalm 62

I was driving home from Goulburn reflecting on the things the deacons had shared at the cathedral and into my mind came the words of Joyce Rupp when she says 'Driving along in my car - my little hermitage on wheels. ' (Don't you love that.)  It was on that drive I reflected on two things I discovered at the cathedral that over all these years, had never known. One was the bricks that pave the foyer and along the isles of the cathedral which are from the original cathedral and were made by convicts. On the back of them is an arrow, the convicts mark. Then down the isle among an array of  the bricks was a Cross carved into one of the bricks, its origin unknown. These were the marks left by the builders. In Israel the Crusaders left the mark of their cross on the columns and massive road pavers. Where, I wonder have you left your mark?  I don't advocate walking about carving crosses on columns but have you left your mark of faith on the lives of those who God puts in your path ?  

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.   Anne, servant of the Lord.

                                                The cross in the brick.