Photo was taken on Saturday at Dairygold, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

The current fodder crisis is unprecedented. Never before has there been such fodder shortages on Irish farms. Cattle should now be out with plenty grass at foot, but following on from the wettest summer in 2012 and a winter that doesn’t want to end, has meant that grass growth is weeks behind. Nearly every church this weekend had prayers for the farming community and an improvement in the weather. In our photo today a lorry load of hay bales was delivered to Millstreet all the way from Kent in England. This was the 12th lorry load of hay to arrive in Millstreet during the past week with more to come.

Thought on Monday – April – 29/04/2013

‘Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give.’ ~William Arthur Ward

We tend to do a lot of things quickly and without thought. It is what we are used to and it’s what others almost expect of us. But everything is connected in some way. One action on its own is never in isolation and is always connected to something very close by. An obvious example is a smile and we know the difference it always makes. Any action done out of love and in love has immediate effect and is such a powerful force in our world. No wonder we hear so many times in scripture how God is love. When we build our lives on this foundation we are always in a good place. So before we jump headlong into whatever needs to be done next, the message is simple: slow down, think carefully about what really matters, avoid the stuff that does not energise you, be gentle with yourself and to know that everything you do matters a lot.