Friday Reflection- 25th April 2025
Sandra’s Soliloquy
Good Morning Everyone.
I hope you are well, enjoying some of the Spring weather and all the beautiful blooms, trees with green leaves and some blossom, and pictures of lambs and baby birds and animals. Spring has definitely sprung, and we have come through Easter and all that it means to us as individuals. Children are back at school.
As many others do also, I tend to hibernate in the winter. With my ME and after covid, I am much happier out of crowded places and where I don’t have to join in, make conversation, or concentrate on what is happening. However, my life changed radically once a cat moved in with me…I have company and comfort in my home, and when my youngest daughter and baby moved locally, it improved further. I see them almost every day, and as she knows me very well, I know that she ensures I do not try to do too much, overdo it, make myself ill and generally live safely.
How Blessed am I, later in life. Every day I am confronted with horrific news of situations across the World, and know that I am truly fortunate to live where I do. I also feel very Blessed that I get opportunities to still grow and learn, and mature (maybe?) Relationships being revisited and strengthened and healed.
Matthew 18: 22
‘How many times do I forgive someone?’
Jesus replied, ‘I say not…seven times, but until seventy times seven.’
This is not meant to be taken literally, it signifies a total unbounded commitment to forgiveness, reflecting the boundless nature of God’s love.
I found that I often needed God’s help to forgive people, who could not acknowledge they had done anything wrong and would not apologise, and at a distance, with boundaries in place, never seeing them again. But to help me, I had to forgive, heal and move on.
There were two thieves next to Jesus on the cross. One of the thieves repented in the last moments of his life, asking Jesus to remember him. Jesus replied,
‘Today you will be with me in Paradise.’
Luke 23: 42, 43
It’s never too late to accept Jesus and find forgiveness.
Dear Lord, we come before you in humility and prayer. We thank you for all the Blessings we have in our lives. We bring before you those we know in need of prayer in times of illness, grief and troubles. We name them in our hearts. We pray they feel the comfort and compassion from your presence and love.
We continue to pray for all the conflicts, despair and terrible situations so many find themselves in, through no fault of their own. We pray that those leaders whose hearts are hardened against the sanctity of human life and are intent on evil, will recognise their wrong doing, and acknowledge the need for peace and settlements. We pray for the good of the very poorest and weakest in society, those who live in fear of their very lives. Far too many places in Your World Lord.
Lord, in our weakness, You are strong.
We pray in Jesus Name, Amen.
God Bless everyone-Sandra x
My Jesus, my Saviour, Lord there is none like you.
Shout To The Lord // Cathy Yi // Celebration Worship Night LA