Advent Prayer

I read this prayer on the Advent website, which you can go to by clicking on the wreath in the sidebar, and was particularly drawn to the last two lines as it quotes the title of my blog.


Oh, King of us all.

I find myself standing before your strength and splendor watching, waiting and filled with total joy.
You have lifted my mind in hope.

Now help me to open my life to the coming of the Spirit.

I want to be like Mary, your mother.

Her wonderful courage and strength - inspire me to do the same.

She simply said Yes and the impossible was done.

Thank you for this Advent journey.

The anticipation has filled my life and made me long for a closer relationship with you.
My life gets so busy that I forget to focus.

Thank you for guidance.

Thank you for the quiet moments when I have felt your love.
Nothing will be impossible with God.

Hopeful Friday

This is my first Hopeful Friday post and I would like to tell you about The 4th Barking Brownies who came last evening to visit the residents of Thames View Lodge (Sheltered Housing Accommodation). The Brownies, ages 7-11, have visited before and because they were so friendly and took the time to chat to each resident I welcomed them with open arms when , Mary - Brown Owl, asked if they could come again.

They sang carols and encouraged the residents to join in with them.

Ruth, Daisy and Eva showing their gifts

The Brownies presented each resident with a gift which consisted of a Christmas decoration and card, which they had made themselves and a bar of chocolate - all beautiful wrapped up and tied with ribbons.

Rose, Tom and Doris with some of the Brownies

Then afterwards the Brownies spent time chatting with the residents. They had obviously spent time beforehand preparing their questions 'What did you get when you were my age for Christmas?' 'Did it snow on Christmas day when you were little?' 'What was your favourite toy?' They sat very patiently as residents shared their Christmas memories with them.

The highlight for me was one 8 yr old Brownie who came rushing over to her mother, who I was talking to at the time, and said "Mummy, mummy you must come and meet my new friend - her name is Rose."

Every generation has something to offer but sometimes we forget that the old and the young can mix together and learn from each other.

Especially for the evening - one of my ladies from Christ Church, Barbara, made this beautiful cake.

I came across this prayer which is a 'Christmas Prayer'

Loving Father,
Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every giftand good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Thursday Challenge

Our theme this week for Thursday Challenge is 'LIGHT' - for other participants please visit Thursday Challenge


As a minister I lead 'church' services in a variety of different places - peoples homes, nursing homes, sheltered dwellings to name a few and I take my 'hands' and a t-light candle with me. When leading a time of prayer I light the candle and somehow the soft glow within the hands reassures those to whom I ministering of God's presence with them - holding each one of them in the palm of his hands.

O Light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine's blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

George Matheson

Because You’re Worth It…

The L'Oreal adverts would have us believe that us mere mortals should consider ourselves fortunate enough to be deemed 'Worth It' to use their products. Over the years I have discovered that people consider themselves 'Worth It' when you spend quality time with them.

Most of my readers will know that on Thursday evenings I lead a service at Thames View Lodge, which is a Sheltered Housing Complex. Along with a few ladies from Christ Church, we have been visiting The Lodge since February of this year and I can truly say with all honesty that it is the highlight of my week. Between 25- 30 residents come along and share in song, prayer, fun and fellowship but it is the time after the service whilst having a cuppa which is so important. Those moments when a resident will share a concern, worry, frustration, confide an illness diagnosed, bring photos of loved ones, hopes for the future - that 'time' spent listening makes a person feel 'Worth It'. My ladies from Christ Church are priceless as they visit, share communion with, prayer with, build bridges and care for those who would otherwise go un-noticed.

Tonight we had our service but because I still have no voice! Nigel led the programme I had prepared for this evening throwing in a few jokes and accompanying the hymns on his portal Casio piano, which certainly adds to the evening rather than singing to my pre-recorded music. They all gave him marks out of 10 for his effort but to me the best reward is seeing folk leaving the lounge smiling and singing a refrain of a hymn/song that we had during the evening. Mission accomplished J

When I'm in my 80's or 90's I hope someone will still think I'm 'Worth It' to spend time listening to me..

"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand" Anon

"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant". Robert McCloskey