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A guide to little Glimmers

Do you ever feel overwhelmed?  I do.

-Our news feeds whether TV, radio, newspapers, social media are excessively imbalanced by bad news.

-No one has ever warned me about the impact, stress and trauma of caring for elderly parents

-I live and work (by choice and calling) in a challenging place

-My children are grown up and independent, however that ‘mum gene’ of concern and worry which kicks in on day one never seems to diminish

-And on top of all this I’m menopausal, so anxiety just seems to be a part of life.

I am trying to learn and seeking to develop a daily practice of stopping, breathing deeply and noticing.  It seems that Jesus encouraged us to do just that when he said in Luke 12;

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 

Jesus says consider, think carefully, look attentively,  take time to stop and look around you at the birds, the wild flowers, the hills, the sea, and gaze in awe and wonder.  The picture above was taken out of my window when I was sitting looking attentively.

Recently on Facebook someone posted ‘A little guide to glimmers’

So I would like to encourage you to join me in stopping a couple of times today, to consider, look attentively around you, to think carefully and spot the glimmers. It may be a bird, a flower, even the person in front of you who you’re finding difficult but who is made in the image of God just like you.

Each day I read a blessing from the Northumbria Community it says this

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.

In order to rejoice at the wonders we need to take the time to stop, look and see the glimmers.

This week’s thought was written by Sandra Crawford, a minister currently developing a pioneer ministry in Essex and an EBA Trustee