This horse chestnut flower was standing proudly tall yesterday. Despite some very cold weather recently, its flowers kept pushing through and will soon flower. I will come back to them again when in flower. The tall upright flower is always a sight to behold and is a magnet for honeybees and bumblebees. I took this photo on the Drishane Road, Millstreet, Co.Cork
On This Day
On April 17th 1970 Paul McCartney released his first solo album called ‘Mc Cartney’
On April 17th 2012 the 8th century Saint Cuthbert Gospel, which is Europe’s oldest book was purchased by the British Library for 9 million pounds.
On April 17th 2021 the funeral of Prince Philip, consort to Queen Elizabeth II, was held under COVID-19 restrictions at Windsor Palace, England
Birthday’s Today🎂
“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” ~Cesare Pavese
I took my latest video at 6a.m last Thursday morning. It is the Dawn Chorus and spiritually is called ‘God’s Orchestra’. Even a plane passing by could not stop the beautiful sounds of the birds welcoming in the new day of Thursday April 11th
I really like this video that I took in Glengarrif Woods and it is simply called ‘Be Calm Be Quiet Be Still’
‘It doesn’t matter how you pray – with your head bowed in silence, or crying out in grief, or dancing. Churches are good for prayer, but so are garages and cars and mountains and showers and dance floors. Years ago I wrote an essay that began: Some people think that God is in the details, but I have come to believe that God is in the bathroom.’ ~ Anne Lamott
There is a growing awareness today how beneficial prayer can be in our spiritual lives. We sometimes think that prayer is long, complex and boring. We certainly feel it’s beyond our reach. But in many ways it is within our reach and especially when we apply prayer to those everyday events that happen in our daily lives. We can find God present in what we do right now, be it out for a walk, reading a book, working in the garden, getting in some exercise or watching the beauty of nature. The list can never be exhausted.
There is something powerful when you see communities gather together in prayer. We have all seen situations when there is a sudden or unexpected tragedy in a parish, the community gathers in their local church for a planned prayer service. The coming together gives purpose, meaning and hope. Those who attend will always say it brings great peace and comfort. It’s not about finding the right words, but that so many gather together as a show of support and love is so powerful. It is my heartfelt belief that God is also present bringing healing and love.
So if you find prayer difficult right now, just know that there are so many people praying for you right now. Even when all seems lost and gone, there is hope because of the support and prayers of others.
Thought For The Week is updated each Monday
