Sandra's Soliloquy

Friday Reflection-19th April 2024

Sandra’s Soliloquy

Good morning—yes, 4am again. I’m not sure if I’m the one waking my cat up, if I’m now conditioned to wake up at this time, and I’m anticipating her jumping on the bed to walk all over me and pat me on the head. She has also developed a penchant for walking across the bedside cabinet, knocking things to the floor, particularly my glasses. She also broke the new sparkly Winnie the Pooh water bottle in this way as it crashed to the floor. Shame. But I find myself forgiving her, as she has got friendlier and closer, and more playful since she started living with me. After many costly procedures, she is almost twice the size she was, with very few teeth, in spite only being about 5 years old. Possibly the previous owners did love her, but I fear she was used as a breeding machine to make lots of money from kittens. Her fur is now very dense, and covers her tummy too, which was previously bare. Her company, the need to look after her, enriched my life from the time she moved in. My first cat, but not the first in our family. I’m sure I can find analogies for how God looks after us, how His Love changes us and how we feel safe, and explore more in life, but I’ll leave that to you.

I have been helping my daughter a lot since she had her baby, which means my pacing of energy is rather different from previously. I’m attempting to stay positive and go with the flow, staying in bed on days when possible in between activities. Whilst still seeing other family members, especially having a run of birthdays this month. I love celebrating birthdays, in a quiet way. My youngest daughter is 30 this weekend, which for her is a special milestone, but with her baby, celebrating will be very different. She’s sold some gig tickets she had to buy him an amazing bouncer, which benefits both of them. Yesterday saw us taking her car to the dealers for a safety recall, triggering her anxiety in the build-up, and expectation of it failing the MOT. It seemed quite manic on the roads around Fengate with road works everywhere and vans and lorries particularly being in awkward places and reversing towards me without looking. One car drove fast around a corner as I was almost past a double length parked lorry, drove straight at me, and hit my wing mirror, in spite of my slowing right down, to see if there was room for them to pass. Checking it at home, yes, it is broken, so yet another trip to our friendly local garage. Thank goodness for them, and thank God for keeping us safe in the car, especially Baby. Also, with our help, she cancelled the MOT with the dealers (after they found £600 of work to be done) and her brother-in- law booked it in with our local friendly garage.

Last week I enjoyed a trip to the local Anna’s Ark with my middle daughter and granddaughter. Such a joy to be out in the countryside with them and seeing the many animals. Next week, for her birthday, my youngest daughter wants us to go to Hammerton Zoo as her treat. As we will be at the Indian restaurant the previous afternoon, for a celebration meal, I need to work at staying calm and resting when I can. At the same time, being oh so grateful to God for my grown-up children, my grandchildren and involvement in their lives, and the Blessing of family. I’m usually completely exhausted by my birthday at the beginning of May. I am so pleased my children grew up with many pets and love animals.

As for the weather! I am just grateful I have many coats, blankets, snoodies, rain hats and sun cream and sun hats for the many variations we are experiencing still, reminding me why we pack for so many eventualities if we go away.

God Bless you all, and may you feel God’s Love and Presence daily in all that you do. Sandra x

(I will now feed the cat as it is 5am!)

The Lord’s my Shepherd (Psalm 23)

And I will trust in You alone.

The Lord's my Shepherd - Stuart Townend [with lyrics] (youtube.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upRoR7ej9Ns

YOUTUBE.COM

The Lord's My Shepherd - Stuart Townend [with lyrics