Support

Support. If you need it, just ask. If we can, we will help as best we know how. This has been our message to all our family and friends over the years, which we hope we have demonstrated through our words and deeds throughout our lives. Not that we always know what to do, or always have the capacity, but the sentiment and offer is always there.

So we are always delighted when the kids ask for help – no matter how small a request. It makes us feel a bit useful. Especially as we currently recognise our increasing age and ever-decreasing capability.

“What are you doing tomorrow, Mum?” Michael asked us yesterday. “Nothing much,” I replied. “Waiting in for Dad’s drugs, and I’m popping out to talk to an upholsterer for an hour. Why?” Well, it turned out that Danielle had asked an electrician to do a little bit of maintenance work in their home, which was going to take a few hours. PhD studies and child care all need electricity, don’t they? “Do you want to come to ours, then?” I wondered. “Oh, what a good idea!” they said, as if they hadn’t thought of that at all.

So we had a ‘bubble’ full of the family today, which was marvellous. Michael locked himself away to work; Danielle looked after Thomas; and I did that thing I love most – played with William. We had a cracking day. We played, we mulled over life questions; we chatted about and to the kids; we took a walk; we worked out finances; we ate and drank and we were just there together. Such days are great days and make us extremely thankful for our blessings.

So, there we are. A full day, summarised in a few sentences – it was ruddy marvellous. Mind you, after we’d waved them off, we did collapse on the sofa and close our eyes for a few minutes – as if we were tired……..

Having had a full day, we didn’t watch the news today but we know that the virus figures remain stable. In the last 24 hours 2,193 people were infected; 17 people died with the virus in the community, and 4 in hospitals on 13 May.

However, we also know that there are murmurings about whether the full roadmap to lifting lockdown will go ahead in June because of the Indian variant about which the scientists are so concerned. I am hoping beyond hope that we will still be able to go into each other’s houses, though. I can’t wait to relax on the sofa with friends and family. We’re a bit fed up of sitting outside in the cold…..

On an entirely different note, I thought I’d share with you my approach to prayer when I’m fretting about the world we live in, and how I experience God’s response…….

Yep, support – always there when you need it. I am not sure to whom this photo is attributable but it’s a cracker isn’t it?

Take care everyone, God bless.