Irony...

I sit with cup of coffee in hand and think ahead to the work to come, the driving to be done...I sit and contemplate yesterdays peace and joy in taking in my surroundings with only God and the animals to keep me company. My tendency reaches to overthinking...to cataloguing...to dissecting...every comment, glance or look...the invitation for coffee...in the end I came to the startling conclusion that none of it meant squat to me. No feelings of excitement, distress or confusion...just a knowledge of who I am rising to the surface, something beginning to grow within....a strength, a confidence I do not believe I've felt before. Oh I've felt a surfeit of confidence as a paramedic, as a health & safety consultant, as a confined space rescue specialist...but this, this runs deep and true.

No longer buffeted by thoughts, by feelings of failure or not being enough.

No longer swayed or bent like a tree in strong winds by the words and actions of others.

It is slow...a gradual growth...a tiny green shoot making its way through the soil of my soul spreading its roots deep and sure.

oh the thankful heart that lives within...oh the grateful spirit lifting to the skies...

Dear hearts...dearest treasures...there is life, a grand true life waiting for you...out of the pit, through that valley of bones and death, up the mountain of despair and destruction, across that ocean of regret and remorse....life my friends...life and love and kindnesses stretching to the far horizon.

I ran into two young men I had the pleasure of working with for 6 years but hadn't seen in a year or more and oh...the love and grace and kindness of my dream team settled and deposited straight to my heart and mind, spirit and soul...God given moments my friends to remind us we do matter...we do make a difference...truth dear treasures.

How I wish to impress upon you the light you bring...with a smile, with a kindness given...to a stranger, to a friend, to a family member...that hug that lasts in someones mind for months, that loving kindness sustains them in dark moments. I know this as I have been the recipient to many kindnesses, to unconditional love and compassion and oh how my heart remembers and pulls up memories like the old slideshows. Flitting across my mind and warming the heart.

We each of us have this ability...to encourage, to love...and how easy is it to be kind, to extend warmth in the face of grief and sorrow...to hand out uplifting words in the face of grumpiness and exhaustion. It costs us nothing yet yields much my friends.

Let us yield much in the face of a world full of anger and confusion.

Go today and every day in Gods grace and love. May you know your worth, your loveliness, your grace despite the events you have endured.

May His love and comfort surround you in the place you stand, sit or lay. May you know His presence...His absolute love for you, His creation.

'For thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.' Psalm 159

We are covered...in a supernatural Love...in grace...in mercy...in compassion dear treasures.

Covered...insulated...protected...rise up and take your life, your world back....with wisdom and clarity may you see your way to freedom from fear and strife, from torture and torment.

God bless you with strength and courage as you walk your unique path in this life.