The blessing of freedom

I haven’t posted for a little while as I’ve been away on my holidays….it doesn’t sound like much in the way of exciting news and in the usual course of events, I would agree, but I can’t begin to tell you how refreshing it was to go away after being restricted and lockdown for all these months. A change of scene and routine did us the power of good as a family.

It was only 4 nights self catering in a little cottage on a cider farm in Herefordshire. The location was so peaceful, the apple trees were in full blossom and there was a field of sheep just outside the back door.

We had time to enjoy a slower pace of life, no ⏰ this week, no rushing anywhere, time for family meals, card games, long walks in the fields and woods, fun times. Times to treasure with my mum who is 82. Times to just enjoy God’s beautiful creation. Times to count My blessings and be grateful for them.

The ability to go away made me realise how I take my freedom of choice and movement for granted. I have grown up with so much freedom and never thought it would be curtailed. How Covid has changed things. It has brought home the reality of how blessed I am to have lived and to live the life I do, when there are people suffering true hardship and are being forced to flee their homes. This week we have read again about the refugee crises as Morocco opened up the border and 8000 refugees rushed to cross into the Spanish enclave. I can’t even contemplate or truly empathise with their suffering but I know someone, Jesus, who does.

Father God, I thank you for the freedom we have and we lift up those to you who are refugees with no homes and those imprisoned unjustly or suffering persecution. Protect them, provide for them, support them and give them renewed hope we ask. Show us how we can be a help to those in need. Let us be like the Good Samaritan and show your love and share your goodness. In Jesus name we ask. Amen.