I have seen the goodness of God many times in my life, in big ways and in small ways. But today, I want to share a story about something small, almost insignificant, which to me was an encouragement of how God, even in the simple things, is listening.

The other day I was out and about working in Merthyr Tydfil, I must have been to a dozen or so places. When I got home I realised, to my horror, that my house keys were not with me (I keep work keys and personal key rings separate). I had locked the front door when I left that morning and, to the best of my knowledge, they had stayed in my pocket ever since. Except they weren’t. They must have fallen out.

What followed was me driving around Merthyr Tydfil to umpteen different locations where they might have fallen out. Nothing. I came back home empty handed. I sat down with a cuppa, feeling a bit annoyed at myself, and caught myself praying, “Lord, I’m not even sure you care about something as trivial as a set of keys, but it’s really important to me.”

A few moments of silence passed, and then it occurred to me that on the final job of the day, I had needed to access the secure storage unit on the roof of my van (which needs a key to open, and I keep the key on the set I’d lost).

I got up, looked out the window and, sure enough, hanging from the roof of the van were the missing keys.

Then I felt a bit silly for a moment, and then a little amazed. I had driven home with my keys hanging off the roof of the van the whole time, and they didn’t fall off.

Perhaps that’s too simple a miracle for some, but it reminded me of one of my favourite passages in the Old Testament. In Genesis 16 Hagar is to give birth Ishmael, the son of Abraham. If you know the story, Abraham was given a promise of children and descendants, and Ishmael was the result of Abraham trying to ‘help’ God fulfil the promise. But Ishmael is not to inherit the promise of God, and so Hagar runs away. Yet, even so, an angel appears to Hagar saying that God had seen her suffering and promises to bless Ishmael none the less. Hagar responds, ‘Now I know that You are the God who sees.’

I love that. The God who sees. Sometimes, even in the simplest things, smallest things, God sees and He knows.

I hope this is an encouragement to you today.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

(1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Over 20 years ago I participated in a course which helped people identify their God given passions and gifts. As the course ended we each summarise our findings into a mission statement. Mine was all about people, and this has continued to be my heartbeat ever since.

Today we hosted a BBQ in our home for family, friends and neighbours. As it was in mid flow, I was reminded of my mission statement and that everything I was doing in this simple act within our home was in line with the deepest desires of my heart. It was up there as one of my favourite days in our Caerphilly home so far. It was a moment where I felt, "If I'm alive for anything, this is it!"

Friday after school I hosted a picnic with school mums and kids. Saturday we bought our neighbours to the events the churches had put on. Today we hosted our BBQ.

Matthew 9 v37 says: The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

I'm so happy that my mission field is literally on my doorstep. This weekend I was fulfilling my calling and reaching my people.

What passions are in your heart? What do you love to do? How can you serve the Lord with your passions and gifting? For when you pursue these things in step with the Holy Spirit, they will bring you the greatest joy!

Anyone else got eyes that are burning and itching incessantly?! Hayfever is a delight. April brings the streaming nose, by May you have a throat that feels like it's habouring a family of ants on steroids, and then June gifts you with agonisingly itchy eyes.

If I remember to take my eye drops before bed, I can get away with just waking up looking like a puffer fish with a hangover. But, heaven forbid, I forget my eye drops and I wake up unable to open them at all! The constant irritation has kept my symptoms at the forefront of my mind, and it reminded me of some things.

We're so blessed to live in a place with healthcare. Whether it is a small ailment like hayfever or something much worse, we have a myriad of opportunities to explore options to treat what we're struggling with. More often than not, we can find relief thanks to the medicine we're blessed with. Imagine living where this isn't the case. Imagine all ailments being left without the option of treatment. Or with only wayward treatments that could even leave you worse off.

Living without God's support and hand on your life would be just that. Irritations unseento. Problems untreated. Chronic issues unmanaged.

But what's even more unfathomable, when you think about it, is how often we forget what an incredible miracle-worker God is and we try to manage the issues in our lives without bringing them to him. I did reach for my eye drops tonight but did I stop to give my night to him, or ask for help with my mental load, or spill out my worries about tomorrow to him?

Instead of letting small irritations become big problems, or letting a niggling issue become incapacitating, let's take them to the one who knows just how to handle it. Whether it is an instant cure or some light relief, God has what we need when we need it. And no waiting list either!

God’s Faithfulness Never Fails

Life often brings unexpected challenges, disappointments, and seasons of waiting. In those moments, it can be tempting to wonder whether God sees our struggles or remembers His promises. Yet Scripture consistently reminds us that God’s faithfulness never changes.

Throughout the Bible, we see God keeping His word. He remained faithful to Abraham, fulfilled His promises to Israel, and sent Jesus exactly as He promised. The same God who was faithful then is faithful today.

Even when circumstances seem uncertain, God’s character remains constant. Our feelings may fluctuate, and our situations may change, but God does not. As Lamentations 3:22-23 declares, “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Perhaps you are praying for a breakthrough, seeking direction, or carrying a burden that feels heavy. Take heart. God is working even when you cannot see it. His timing is perfect, His promises are trustworthy, and His love for His children never fails.

Today, choose to remember God’s past faithfulness as a reminder of His future provision. The God who has carried you before will carry you again. Trust Him, keep walking in faith, and rest in the assurance that He is always faithful.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your unchanging faithfulness. Help us to trust You in every season and to remember that Your promises are true. Strengthen our faith and fill our hearts with hope as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.