When things don't go to plan ...

It started in Christmas Eve.. approximately 11.25pm just as we were getting ready to start midnight mass. We noticed that someone had suddenly collapsed on the path near the main road and church ... it was freezing cold and as I've some first aid training ( thanks to the air cadets!) myself and a couple of others headed out ( me in full on alb) . To cut a long story short we needed an ambulance and so after necessary checks put the casualty into the recovery position and waited .
By the time I arrived back in church I had a minute to spare before I was due to preach and no word of a lie my first line was let me tell you a story about one night at 11.30pm ...when things didn't go to plan .... what I proceeded to do was to pray for our injured person and their subsequent trip to an over stretched A and E
And so I Continues by talking about how much time and effort we put into Christmas trying to make it perfect ... and then low and behold 40 hours later all our plans were haltered as marc got the flu!

As frustrating as it has been , as hard work as it has been as exhausted as I feel the time has helped me focus on the true meaning of Christmas... things for Mary didn't go to plan yet still 2000 years Go a perfect baby was born the saviour of the world for you and for me in my imperfect, grumpy tired state !
It has also been lovely spending quality time with the boys enjoying the toys and games and educating them in Christmas films from decades ago!

As we sit on the cusp of a new year I know so many approach it waiting for results operations opportunities for work ... pitter parter of tiny feet , weddings ... whatever happens in the good and in the difficult May that baby born in unusual circumstances all those years ago bring you peace hope and love in 2019

The best gift

The eagle eyed of you will be aware I've not blogged for a while ... tbh I've had a bit of writers block. I've had friends and family going through some tough times especially health wise and so everything else has felt less important.

But tonight as I'm sat here desperately hoping the kids will sleep so I can finish prep for the next 4 services I've felt compelled to write.
The next few days will be chaos of work, wrapping paper tinsel wine ( I hope!) good food ( I hope!) and precious family time but today again the whole point of the celebration s comes head first at me.
God loves the world so much he sent his son ,. The best most surprising gift anyone could ever want ( find out more about the surprises tomorrow 12pm at Upnor church!!!!)
Why? Because the world is broken ... today I see my favourite place in the world in TV broken, this week I've seen families in poverty broken , this month I've seen friends and families bodies (and my own) brokenand bow especially our country feels broken.

But God still loves us ... Jesus is still the best gift ever ... unfortunately the world hasn't really opened that gift and allowed him to reach his full potential ..

This Christmas have an amazing celebration .... and I hope to catch as many of you as possible in 2019 😘