I had a genius parenting idea. I thought that if I bought two money boxes, one for each of my children, it would help them to learn the value of money. I also bought a third and explained all about why we give and how important it is, telling them that the third money box is for any money they wish to give to others.

They both seemed really on board with the idea of giving (and definitely on board with the idea of getting) so when I handed them each five £1 coins, I held my breath in hopeful anticipation of the beautiful act of kindness I was about to witness as they chose where to place their coins. It took less than three seconds. Every last coin went straight to the bottom of their own money boxes. (Remember folks - the key to not being disappointed by your children is low expectations!)

A few days before this, I'd been drawn in by Psalm 105. It is a praiseful account of all the ways in which God blessed His people in bringing them out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land. It says, "Fruitful lands of crops that hadn't planted were now theirs." (v44 TPT) I'd been struck when I first read that at how incredible it is that we are so often blessed with what we did not plant. (How often do I not even realise this?) God loves to bless us! And likewise, I love to bless my children.

When I gently drew their attention to how neither of them had chosen to use their money to bless others, one of them suggested, "That's OK, Mummy! You can just fill up that box with your own money!"

"I'd love to," I replied, "but I gave all my spare money to you." They still didn't care! And what's more, in their excitement, they hadnt even thanked me for the money. But I hope that as they mature, they will recognise both that with what they are blessed, they should use to bless others, and that the blessings they receive aren't free - they are paid for by someone who loves them endlessly.

Two days later, every penny had been spent on a wild shopping spree at Poundland! They're far too young to realise that the fruits of that trip (made exclusively of plastic or sugar) were from crops they hadn't planted. And all too often, I forget that too when it comes to how God has blessed me. When I grumble, envy or fail to show gratitude, I'm totally overlooking the fact that the blessings I've been given were not earnt by me. And when I enjoy the fruits of crops I did not plant, I should thank the One who raised them and ask Him who else should be blessed by the gifts He's given to me.

If you have one more moment to spare, listen to 'Million Little Miracles' by Elevation Worship. Pray as they pray: "I hope I never get over what you've done."

Church in Caerphilly

I asked God, “what are you wanting to say to the church?” and I felt this was His response...

'Delight yourself in me and I will give you the desires of your heart' (psalm 37:4) and, 'don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life' (2 tim 2:4), when you live like this, your desires line up with my desires and it leads to a great harvest of righteousness, fruitfulness and blessing.

As with Mary, when you focus on 'the one thing needed' (Luke 10:42), laying down all other distractions, fears, desires etc. I move mountains and circumstances to make my plans come about in you and through you, your family and your church family. You are amazed by what I do, and give glory to me as you know there is no way you could have done these things yourself.

I felt to write this in the present tense, that God wanted to say this is what He is doing rather than will do, because we are living like this already but that He wants us to go to another level in this and for those who have been distant to come close again.

Church in Caerphilly

There are seasons in life when faith feels heavy. We pray, but the answers seem delayed. We trust, but circumstances don’t change. We smile for others, yet inside we’re tired—emotionally, spiritually, physically. If that’s where you are today, let this truth settle gently into your heart: God has not forgotten you, he is with you! Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Scripture reminds us that God’s timing is not rushed, nor is His attention divided. Even when we cannot see His hand, we can trust His heart. The same God who parted seas, fed multitudes, and raised the dead is still at work in quiet, unseen ways—especially in moments when we feel weakest. He is with you. Isaiah 40:29–31 (NIV)

Sometimes we think faith means always feeling strong. But biblical faith often looks like choosing to trust God with trembling hands. It looks like whispering prayers instead of shouting praise. It looks like getting up one more time when you’d rather stay down and God honors that kind of faith. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10

If today feels ordinary, painful, or disappointing, remember that God often does His deepest work in hidden places. Roots grow underground before fruit appears. What feels like waiting may actually be preparation. What feels like silence may be God protecting, shaping, and strengthening you. Isaiah 64:8:

You are not behind. You are not failing. You are not alone. He is with you always!

God sees every tear you’ve cried in secret. He knows the battles you don’t talk about. And He promises that nothing—nothing—you endure in faith is wasted. Even now, He is weaving grace into your story. Romans 8:28:

So take heart. Breathe. Rest in Him.

The same God who carried you this far will carry you forward, and when you look back one day, you will see that even the hardest moments were held firmly in His hands.

Isaiah 46:4 (NIV): Hold on. God is faithful. He is with you!

Church in Caerphilly

Hebrews 10:24 urges us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” It’s a beautiful invitation, but also a challenging one. Because if we’re honest, encouragement doesn’t always flow naturally.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not always in the “right” mood, sometimes something has happened in my day, sometimes I'm not feeling 100% and sometimes I just have woken up on the wrong side of the bed! And I know I’m not alone. We all have those days when our patience is thin, our energy is low, or our hearts feel a little bruised.

Yet this is exactly where Hebrews 10:24 speaks with such gentle wisdom. The verse doesn’t assume we will always feel ready to encourage others. Instead, it calls us to consider, to pause, reflect, and choose love with intention. Encouragement, it seems, is less about mood and more about mission.

Encouragement as a Shared Calling: The early church understood something we often forget, faith is not a solo journey. We are shaped, strengthened, and sustained in community. When one of us is weary, another can lift us. When one of us is celebrating, others can join in. When one of us is struggling to see God’s goodness, someone else can remind us of it.

Encouragement is not a grand gesture; it’s a daily rhythm. A text message. A prayer whispered for someone. A smile offered even when we’re tired. A willingness to show up, imperfectly, honestly, faithfully.

Choosing Love on the Hard Days: On the days when we feel low, God doesn’t ask us to pretend. He simply invites us to lean on His strength instead of our own. Sometimes the most powerful encouragement we give comes from a place of vulnerability: “I’m not at my best today, but I’m still choosing love.”

And when we do that, something beautiful happens. Our small acts of kindness become seeds of hope in someone else’s life. Our willingness to show up becomes a testimony of God’s grace at work in us.

Church in Caerphilly