God knows

This is my poem for 2026

God knows

Each day is a journey

that God knows

each decision a trust

that God knows

each discourse a witness

that God knows

each prayer a realisation

that God knows.

New year resolutions

Making new year resolutions seems to have become less fashionable. Is it because we realise how hard it can be to live up to the dreams and ideals we set ourselves or the expectations of others'? How easy it is to fall short of our aims. I'd rather be realistic and pray about what is achievable with all my ideas and goals and my long to do lists.

Yet all the while, the God of surprises, the unseen companion as we journey, leads and guides, plans and watches over us. God draws us out into new challenges which can result in ever deeper trust and dependency on him. Fresh vistas in which to discover the utterly amazing grace of God. God choosing to use what we will offer to him. In this new year, let's resolve to follow where God leads us and to thank him for the many ways he calls us to show his love and his mercy as we journey.

The following, sent by a friend, I found to be a challenge and a prayer as we begin 2026.

God, thank you that you have given me challenging friends to whom I can show your love and grace. Thank you that you have given me colleagues to whom I can turn the other cheek.

Thank you that you have given me those who I can forgive 70x7. Thank you that you have given me all people to love and show Jesus. Thank you for everyone who enables me to reach out to you to grow my character, so that I can become more like you . Amen

God gives

The other Sunday in Church, we were each given the most beautiful hand-crafted spheres covered in cross-stitched patchwork pieces of worked delicate flowers. The words hope, joy, love and peace had been stitched in and along the seams pearly beads created an incredibly stunning, exquisite keep-sake. Each one simply gorgeous! A huge amount of time and effort and care must have been spent on the individual gifts! I asked the friend I was sitting next to how she felt having such a present? She beamed her reply; I feel very special. No one has ever given me anything as lovely as this!

I don't know what special or pleasing gifts you will receive this Christmas. But I do know that God longs for us to welcome and enjoy the gift of his presence with us. Our God, Emmanuel! As we enter the Christmas celebrations, may we be aware of just how special each of us is to God and how he truly delights to give to us the best gift of all, that is himself. No one has ever given us anything as wonderful!

  In this poem I recognise so some of the many gifts God wants you to open and enjoy:

God gives

words for our living

light for our directing

comfort for our consoling

strength for our enduring

love songs for our delighting.

God gives

hope in our doubting

mercy in our cleansing

faith in our believing

trust in our struggling

joy in our walking.

God, you always give

what is needful

for our blessing.

©Unpublished Hilary Allen