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I hit a bit of a “6 week brick wall” a few weeks ago. I couldn’t snap out of it and I hated feeling like that. It was most unlike me – I’m usually a very positive person and up-beat, but these are most unusual times.
I tentatively reached out and confided to a friend how I was feeling (via text message) and within minutes she phoned me, and we spent the next hour commiserating with each other, she’d also had a few “down days”, and she gave me helpful and reassuring advice as to how to get through such days. She gave me “permission” to feel like I did, that it was OK and to just “go with it”, and I am so very, very grateful to my friend who was there for me just when I needed her.
Over the following few days, as I contacted others, family and church family to check how everyone was, I found out that others had also been feeling a bit down – think we’d all hit that “6 week brick wall” at the same time; it was reassuring to know that we are not alone in feeling like this, but it is also important to reach out, as I did, and to then have that support and encouragement that is needed.
I was reminded of a story I heard the Food Bank team leader read to her volunteers a few weeks ago as they had their usual “team talk” before opening up the doors to those coming to our hall for practical help. It’s entitled “Pooh’s difficult day”! Some of you Winnie the Pooh fans may know it, but for those who don’t here it is:
“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh.
There was a pause.
“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet.
“No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.”
“That’s okay,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
“What are you doing?” asked Pooh.
“Nothing, really,” said Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.
“But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone there for you. And I’ll always be here for you, Pooh.”
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs…he thought that his best friend had never been more right.
Copyright – AA Milne
Keeping in touch with our family and friends any way we can is so vitally important just now. Knowing we are here for each other as we are all missing the social contact we normally have.
Over the past few weeks in our Sunday worship the songster songs have been ones suggested by the Songsters themselves, but last Sunday we sang one of my favourites, “My Simple Prayer”. The beautiful arrangement of “Donegal Bay” was originally written as a baritone solo and then words were later added producing a song of reassurance reminding us that whatever we’re feeling – whether we are having a difficult day or whether we’re “soaring” and doing OK, Jesus is right there with us.
I tentatively reached out and confided to a friend how I was feeling (via text message) and within minutes she phoned me, and we spent the next hour commiserating with each other, she’d also had a few “down days”, and she gave me helpful and reassuring advice as to how to get through such days. She gave me “permission” to feel like I did, that it was OK and to just “go with it”, and I am so very, very grateful to my friend who was there for me just when I needed her.
Over the following few days, as I contacted others, family and church family to check how everyone was, I found out that others had also been feeling a bit down – think we’d all hit that “6 week brick wall” at the same time; it was reassuring to know that we are not alone in feeling like this, but it is also important to reach out, as I did, and to then have that support and encouragement that is needed.
I was reminded of a story I heard the Food Bank team leader read to her volunteers a few weeks ago as they had their usual “team talk” before opening up the doors to those coming to our hall for practical help. It’s entitled “Pooh’s difficult day”! Some of you Winnie the Pooh fans may know it, but for those who don’t here it is:
“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh.
There was a pause.
“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet.
“No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.”
“That’s okay,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
“What are you doing?” asked Pooh.
“Nothing, really,” said Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.
“But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone there for you. And I’ll always be here for you, Pooh.”
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs…he thought that his best friend had never been more right.
Copyright – AA Milne
Keeping in touch with our family and friends any way we can is so vitally important just now. Knowing we are here for each other as we are all missing the social contact we normally have.
Over the past few weeks in our Sunday worship the songster songs have been ones suggested by the Songsters themselves, but last Sunday we sang one of my favourites, “My Simple Prayer”. The beautiful arrangement of “Donegal Bay” was originally written as a baritone solo and then words were later added producing a song of reassurance reminding us that whatever we’re feeling – whether we are having a difficult day or whether we’re “soaring” and doing OK, Jesus is right there with us.
I did make it through 'the brick wall' to the other side. I have also realised that we will probably continue to have those 'Up and Down' days over the coming weeks and we shouldn't be afraid to reach out to each other if needed.
The light at the end of the tunnel will soon be bigger and brighter. I know we are all looking forward to the time we can all be together again with our loved ones and friends, giving each other proper hugs instead of virtual ones, sharing a cuppa and a chat, and meals together, singing together, making music together, socialising together and worshipping together.
My friend and I are planning lunch or afternoon tea or even just a flask of coffee in the park just as soon as we are able. In the meantime, the love and support from friends and family will support us all and help us get through these days.
I know that as a church family we are supporting each other in so many different ways, and I know that our Heavenly Father is also right there with us too – we just need to reach out and He is beside us every single day.
2 Corinthians 12:9 [The Message]
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
The light at the end of the tunnel will soon be bigger and brighter. I know we are all looking forward to the time we can all be together again with our loved ones and friends, giving each other proper hugs instead of virtual ones, sharing a cuppa and a chat, and meals together, singing together, making music together, socialising together and worshipping together.
My friend and I are planning lunch or afternoon tea or even just a flask of coffee in the park just as soon as we are able. In the meantime, the love and support from friends and family will support us all and help us get through these days.
I know that as a church family we are supporting each other in so many different ways, and I know that our Heavenly Father is also right there with us too – we just need to reach out and He is beside us every single day.
2 Corinthians 12:9 [The Message]
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.