Photo was taken at Tooreenbawn, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

Every flower has its time, place and moment when it simply looks its best like this one called a ‘Ladies Bonnet’. It always bursts into flower at the start of July and never fails to show off and impress with its display of colour.

Thought on Thursday – July – 04/07/2013

‘Every one of us is permeated with the presence of God. The pope does not have it any more than the truck driver or the nurse. Within our own hearts is this same God bursting to life in us.’ ~Michael Morwood

God is closer to each of us than we can possibly ever imagine. If we look into our own hearts or into our own lives we will find God. It seems we are sometimes content to look for God elsewhere and end up disappointed. Unfortunately some still see God as one who rewards and punishes. When things go wrong in life the explanation is that God must be testing or punishing them. Some refer to it as carrying a cross or that it must be God%u2019s will if some tragedy occurs. Such viewpoints are deeply ingrained in our traditions and are not helpful.

What sort of a God gets a kick out of misfortune? It would make our belief in a loving God absurd and crazy. It would be like pushing water constantly uphill. A pointless exercise! Thankfully Jesus in our Gospels makes it quite clear that God does not punish. God is very much in the here and now and is on our side. God loves us no matter what%u2019s going on for us and God is not to be feared.