I took this photo yesterday afternoon between Killarney and Beaufort in Co.Kerry
Reflection On Photo
There was a local vintage festival going on and it was lovely to see vintage combine harvesters working together to bring in the harvest. There was also baling of straw and at the same time other tractors and trailers were bringing in the straw ahead of rain. The harvest is always such a special time. The crops were sown late this spring because of poor weather but thankfully as we move into September it has arrived. It is good to give thanks for the harvest of 2024 but also to give thanks for the blessings of our summer too.
On This Day
On September 2nd 1666 the Great Fire of London took place. It began accidentally in the house of the king’s baker; it burned for four days and about 80% of the city was destroyed.
On September 2nd 1945 World War 2 came to an end as Japanese Foreign Minister Shigemitsu Mamoru and and General Umezu Yoshijiro signed Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri
Birthday’s Today🎂
As I am just back from my holidays I will be returning to uploading a new video during the week. Today I share with you two from the archive. The first is called The Dawn Chorus and spiritually it is called ‘God’s Orchestra’. Even a plane passing by could not stop the beautiful sounds of the birds welcoming in a new day!
I really like this video that I took in Glengarrif Woods and it is simply called ‘Be Calm Be Quiet Be Still’.
Thought for Week
‘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
