Friday Reflection- 23rd January 2026
Sandra’s Soliloquy
GREETINGS- Another week…some sunshine…Yay! More dark wet days…more hibernating. Still the need to make every day count, whatever the weather. Realising that resting, being still, maybe doing very little can be viewed positively and allowing yourself to see the good around you, feeling grateful for the small every day things, and people in your life.
I am appreciating a friendship made in the late 80s as I accepted Jesus into my life at the same time as a younger woman going through divorce also. We were put together on the rota to help run a group in the creche. It was a large church with age groups in children’s work. We became very good friends and eventually, she ran a youth group, with her second husband, which my three really enjoyed. Much later on, my youngest daughter, asked them to be her godparents, and they have supported her through her life, and in recent years, her baby son.
God brought us together, giving us many times of fun and pleasure, as well as the difficult sad times, where we were able to pray and support each other. We haven’t seen each other very much since we moved to the Fens in 1992, but that didn’t matter, our friendship was set in place by God and built as our faith grew and life went on. I of course, wrote my very long letters. And I enjoyed doing so again recently, to include with a birthday card and one of my paintings. We have now made plans to call in after my birthday treat down in Kent in May. I cannot recall how many years it is since I visited them, it is not something that is easy for me.
God’s timing is not the same as ours.
And yesterday, a lovely lady I met when I worked at Mind, came in to sit and chat with me when I was in a play centre with my daughter and grandson. How many years since we met? And how many conversations and crossover events do we have in our lives. My eldest daughter also worked with her in mental health. I retired from Mind in 2012, almost 14 years ago, and worked there for 15 years! We mainly see each other’s lives through FB posts. Illnesses, family tragedies, rescuing dogs and the good stuff too. I really appreciated that she had seen me at the till getting our coffee, and came to find me and sat chatting and catching up.
I always knew my job at Mind was from God and I was there to help people living with mental ill health to understand; live with their condition and manage it, and to have a social life and meet others. Other professionals came alongside me at various times, when we worked together. Reminiscing about this later, made me feel very grateful and appreciate the role I had played, once again.
I never doubt that God had, has a plan for my life, even if at times, now I am older, and less fit, I sometimes wonder what I am supposed to be doing, especially on the quiet days where I don’t have much energy. It is the overall, bigger picture of my whole life.
So today, I am very grateful for friends God brought into my life and the part we play in each other’s lives. There are others too of course.
Jeremiah 29:11
‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Father God, we thank You for Your plans for us, and being there with us throughout our lives. You bring people into our lives at various stages, to lift us, to support and encourage us. You are in our friendships and relationships. Some last for a short period, others are with us over many years.
We learn from situations, experiences, some sad, devastating, some extremely difficult, with You alongside us, and with the people you bring into our lives.
Please help us to show Your Love to those in need, those grieving, those in hospital, and to continue praying for the World. Bring peace and healing everywhere.
We thank You too for the celebration moments. Amen
God Bless everyone- Sandra x
Hillsong UNITED - Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders (Oceans) (Lyrics) - YouTube