Since the beginning of the pandemic last March, I’ve had far more opportunity than normal to notice the wildlife in our garden. Over this now-more-than twelvemonth span, I’ve been drawn into the dramatic arc of daily life lived by the birds, small mammals and occasional amphibians that share the space I used to think of … Continue reading The Tale of the Determined Squirrel…
Faith
On Empathy…
Empathy. That’s where my thoughts have been. The power of real, deep heart-to-heart human connection. I spent some time on the Orkney islands in the summer. It was my first visit, fulfilling a soul-yearning for the area that I still don’t really understand. It’s a place that is rich in Neolithic history, the landscape literally … Continue reading On Empathy…
Love is…
Love is fierce. Love is strong. It cowers, and bends, and withstands crushing pressure; it folds in on itself. Love clings, love grips, love hangs on in the storm. It looks for the spark of light when there is none. Love knows when it is not enough. It seeks unceasingly for the scaffolding to shore … Continue reading Love is…
The Rolling Ocean
A couple of days ago, a simple five-word status rolled past in my Facebook memories. Just five words. Five words that, in a single instant, transported me back and held me in the now and stretched boundlessly into the future, all at the same time. Those five words took me back to a moment suspended … Continue reading The Rolling Ocean
We went in search of you…
We went in search of you, Wild and elemental, At home in the storm, With feet that walk waves. And we found you. In sand-blasted skin And salt-tanged lips, In sun-beaten cheeks And sea-sprayed hair, In briny-deep swell And wood-sweet smoke. In grit between our teeth. We went in search of you, Spirit and creator, … Continue reading We went in search of you…
Found…
Almost three years ago, we adopted our daughter and we love her to bits. Our family life is messy, imperfect, full of laughter, sometimes difficult, and beautiful. This week is National Adoption Week (5-11 November 2012) and this is the story I wrote for our little girl earlier this year to celebrate finding each other... … Continue reading Found…
Floating around…
I led a discussion about Noah last night. I hadn’t planned to. My vicar was supposed to be doing it. Then he phoned an hour before people were due to arrive at my house. He wasn’t well – could we manage without him? Of course! He needed to rest. Not a problem. More than happy … Continue reading Floating around…
Small but significant…
Nine years ago, I left university. With an English degree under my belt and an unknownc future stretching ahead of me, I embarked on a Gap Year working for my church. My work co-ordinator was a hairy gentleman by the name of John. It wouldn’t be over-stating things to say that that year changed my … Continue reading Small but significant…
Water into Wine
I told the story of Jesus' first miracle three times on Saturday. I was asked to choose two Jesus stories as part of a story walk through Bradford City Centre for the Biblefresh Festival, organised by the local Methodists. Water into Wine was my immediate first choice. Why? Because I love it. Almost every time I read … Continue reading Water into Wine
He is alive!
It was still dark when she left her home. She made her way through the silent streets to the garden where his tomb lay. She felt troubled but the silence comforted her. She carried spices to anoint his body. She reached the garden and walked down the pathways until she came to the place where … Continue reading He is alive!
Julie Wilkinson, Storyteller 