Photo was taken at Mallow, Co.Cork (Irl)
They are calling the current bitterly cold weather ‘The Beast From The East’. Definitely it is very harsh weather on the progress of spring. These primrose flowers were particularly eye catching on a recent visit to a gardening centre
I have just put together a video called ‘A spring prayer’ If you copy and paste this link it will take you to the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/L_eF48zK3dg
Thought on Tuesday – February – 27/02/2018
Thought For The Week
‘Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them.’ ~Mark 9:2-3
The 6 Nations Rugby game between Ireland and Wales did not disappoint at the weekend. It was really close with lots of tries and so much action. Ireland winning was definitely a stand out moment but another stand out moment for me were the penalty kicks. Over 50,000 people inside the Aviva Stadium in Dublin went completely silent for each penalty kick. There wasn’t a sound, just a total hush as if the stadium was empty. It comes from respect – respect for the home team and also the away team. You could call it a Transfiguration moment, a stand out moment, a special moment.
The Gospel story of the Transfiguration makes it clear that it was a special moment for Jesus and his disciples. It was one they would never forget. When difficult, challenging and upsetting days would come, the Transfiguration would give them hope and courage.
I know the word Transfiguration is a big word and one we don’t use very often ourselves but it is my own firm belief that every day has its Transfiguration moment. This is a moment that is good, positive and upbeat. It is a moment that embraces love and goodness. It is a moment that celebrates a good news story.
The world we live in today is starved of good news. Our lives can sometimes be chaotic and difficult. We need anchors or brakes to slow us down so that we can appreciate the Transfiguration moments in all our lives. We can also make a Transfiguration moment happen by nurturing and embracing a special moment in our day.
It might be a nice or comforting word someone spoke to you. It might be something as small as a thank you, a smile, a bunch of daffodils growing in your garden or a word of encouragement from someone. Hold onto your Transfiguration moment when it happens today. We need them every single day. We need them on our journey through Lent. We need them to give us hope and inspiration each day.
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‘The following reflection is called ‘For A Reason’ and is timely as we journey through these weeks of Lent. The author is unknown.
Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, they serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out who you are or who you want to become. Sometimes things happen to you and at the time they may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but in reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential strength.
Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart to.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them. Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.
Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either. You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday with a new photograph each day
