What's your view?

Each morning when I open the blinds in my front room, I breathe in God's glory as I take in the wonderful views before me. Today was no different - it was a clear day and I could see for miles! Just 30 minutes later and a peep through the same window and the view has gone - obscured by a drizzle that looks set in for the day. One of the things that intrigues me is that although the weather may be dull where I am, sometimes in the distance I will see areas of the green hills basking in sunshine - and my heart soars! And that's the way it can be with life too. Things may look pretty grim from where we are and we might not be able to see beyond the next day, or even the next hour. We might not be able to see the sunny episodes in the distance but we have to keep on believing that they are there and that they haven't disappeared. Someone, somewhere might well be looking in our direction and having their heats lifted - we may never know!

A friend of mine told me that one of the drawbacks of public ministry is that you can't linger in the morning in your pjs (pyjamas) because there's often callers at the vicarage door. I suppose one of the pluses of these times means that I don't have to leap out of bed and don my clerical collar first thing in the morning. And dreary days like these suggest that maybe a pj day might well be in order. Now, I must confess that I have never had a pj day but I know many people who do and find them very helpful. Being at home, day in and day out and without a caller at the door and I can see the temptation of not bothering to make an effort. However, I think it is important that we do make the effort to get dressed each day as it will help to brighten our mood, lift our spirits and help us set our daily pattern.

"Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; 

and to goodness, knowledge; 

and to knowledge, self-control; 

and to self-control, perseverance; 

and to perseverance, godliness; 

and to godliness, mutual affection; 

and to mutual affection, love. 

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8