It’s been a long, tough week this week what with being ill and stressed at work. So today was necessary, a day good for the soul. Praise God, the weather was stunning; clear blue skies, sunny and, whilst not warm, not bitterly cold. The promise of Spring just around the corner. 

Sam and I spent the night in Bransgore with our close friend Omi, which in itself was life-giving and restful. We have been there a number of times and (if you’ve been there, you’d probably agree) it is a place that quietens the mind and soul. We spoke for hours over dinner, danced around the living room and ate chocolate, lounging on the sofa. Any time spent with Omi is energising, she’s the type of friend everyone needs at least one of.

In the morning we ate pancakes with Omi and Nai, another old uni friend, catching up on a few years! After introducing Nai to Hamilton (if you still don’t know it, check it out), we saw a photo of the newest member of our framily (friend family), Ezra Joel Russell. We love him already. 

Sam and I then had a trip to the beach where we lay on our fronts, the sand cool on our bellies and the sun warm on our faces. We laughed at dogs and small children running past, spoke of important things and watched the waves come rolling in. 

Now we are home, our hearts and cups full. 

Friends, days like this do not fix problems. They do not save the world. They do not erase pain, stop human trafficking or make money. What they do do is restore energy, refresh the mind and inject hope into life, thus enabling us to fight the worthy fight. We cannot pour from an empty cup and we cannot run with an empty tank. It is necessary, therefore, to stop every now and then. To go outside, put down our phones, close our eyes and listen to the crashing waves. God took a day of rest after creating the world, why would we think we don’t need that? So book it in, a day of rest and restoration. A day to spend with good friends over warming food. A day to breathe deeply and slowly. You need it. 

I’ve been pretty fed up recently. I don’t think there’s any way to describe it and I want to apologise to anybody who has had their day dampened by my negativity. What’s that? The Emma who spouts all about positive thinking on her blog is being negative? Ohhhh yes. Muchos.

Fed up of chasing students who haven’t handed in assignments or attended lectures (I would ask them what they think the point of university is, but I think it’s best not to go there…) Fed up of being tired and uninspired. Fed up of the cold and rain. Fed up of rubbish stuff happening. Fed up of Donald Trump. Fed up of feeling fed up!

How do I clamber out of this deep pit of misery and pity-parties?

Well… for starters, I’ve read an inspiring book. If you haven’t read Red Moon Rising by Pete Grieg all about the start of 24/7 prayer, I would highly recommend it. Jaw-dropping stories of God’s faithfulness in answered prayer, prophecies “coming true”, visions being realised in real life. Incredible yet ordinary people doing amazing things with the help of an awesome God. The book got me so excited and inspired every time I read it! I took it into work to read on my lunchbreak because I knew I would need a boost to remind me that exciting things can happen away from spreadsheets and overflowing inboxes.

Secondly, the generosity of people. On Monday morning, after being at work for a couple of hours, I was handed a package. I rarely get post at work, so this was exciting in itself. However, I was expecting it to be forms or something equally dull, so when I opened it and saw chocolate, a fox, owl stickers, a bracelet and a card, I squealed with delight! The bracelet is now resting on the corner of my monitor, there are a couple of owl stickers on the front and the fox is pinned next to my operational timetable. The chocolate is long gone and the card is resting with its warm message on my desk. I cannot overstate how precious a thing this friend did for me in bringing light to the start of another tough week. So if you know a friend is having a hard time, consider sending them a parcel of lovely things. To work would be even better.

Also on the above point, someone has left a load of biscuits in the staff kitchen with a note saying “help yourself”. Don’t mind if I do.

Thirdly, music. Hillsong’s last two albums are both full with such moving, beautiful, passionate songs that I need to be careful what kind of emotional state I am in when I listen to them as otherwise I’ll end up in floods of tears. O Praise the Name, Love on the Line, What a Beautiful Name, Grace to Grace, Transfiguration, Jesus I Need You… Filling my ears with the praises of God when I’m feeling low really helps to lift me.

Lastly, have you seen the sun today? Thank God that Spring is on its way!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this stream of consciousness. Here’s to feeling less fed up and more joyful 🙂