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Avatar photoJane Coates

Married to Phil Coates for the past 42 years with 4 adult children and three grandchildren. A Graduate with both social work and teaching qualifications and CELTA and TEFL also. 24 years of teaching experience in Leeds Primary schools.

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Stop, Stay, Go

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Stop, Stay, Go
 
The Maji followed God’s leading by signs, star, and dream. They had ignored the disquieting voices in their heads and around them, that may have told them that they were unwise to take such a journey. But their instincts, the quiet prompting of God, and their research, told them to follow the rising, leading star. After finding the infant, and in response to a dream, they were guided to find a new way home, avoiding a return to Herod’s palace.
 
This new journey would be without the comfort of the leading star but God, in His mercy, gave His protection and safety to the Maji. They trusted and followed the dream’s instruction and the guidance of God.
 
They returned to their own country by another route because God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. Matthew 2 v 12
 
Protection, safety, and guidance had been given to Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus. Joseph, being warned by an angel of the Lord in a dream to escape from Herod and his anger, escaped with his   family to Egypt, leaving hurriedly, in the middle of the night. They remained there as strangers, and refugees in a foreign land, because Herod’s clear intention was to search for and destroy the child. “Stay there until you hear from Me.” Matthew 2 v 13
I love that phrase ‘stay there until you hear from me.’ Joseph was told by God to wait for the right time and His guidance, which would allow the family to return to their homeland. He was to stay, to remain, to be settled, even though he could not know God’s timing.
 
Two years later, and once again instructed in a dream, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, returned to their homeland of Israel. With Joseph’s wisdom and discernment, and God’s clear direction, Joseph took his young family, to Nazareth, in the region of Galilee. Herod Archelaus was now ruling in place of his father Herod the Great, so Jesus could still be in danger. The Nazarenes were often treated with suspicion and caution by other Jews and Jesus was once called ‘Jesus the Nazarene’ in an insulting, derogatory way. But this move would perhaps keep Jesus safe.
 
So, the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2 v22-23 NLT
 
Care, certainty, God’s safe keeping and guidance are for those who trust in the name of the Lord. We may not have dreams, or hear angel voices, but we can lean into Him daily to know his presence with us and to find His direction. May we try not to look back, only forward to a new way, a new path, a new road. Not a star, but Jesus as the light for that new path, and this coming year. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32 v 8 NLT
 
SONG Lyrics My Guardian
 
King of love and grace, my Guardian,
All my hopes and fears are in Your hands;
I’m in Your hands.
Where You go, I’ll go; show me the way.
Every step I take be now my guide,
God on my side.
You go before me, You’re there beside me,
And if I wander Love will find me.
Goodness and mercy will always follow.
You go before me, my Guardian.
 
Jane Coates
17 January 2025

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Steps into a new year.

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As we take our first, few steps into this new year, we cannot know what 2025 will hold for us. There may be unexpected joys or trials, new challenges begun, or opportunities missed, dreams realized, or ambitions and hopes lost, new friendships begun, or familiar traditions lost. It may be a blessing and a grace that we cannot know the details as the year unfolds before us. We are asked only to step forward in faith, one step at a time.
 
I am reminded of the accounts of the Maji, who stepped out on their long and uncertain journey, to find the promised child. The routes and resting places of their journey would be unfamiliar, hazardous at times, and strange. Their journey, with its distances, cost, risks, and the uncertainty of success, was perhaps their daily reality and challenge. There would be moments of confusion, as at Herod’s palace, when they failed to find the expected One, although the star was still present. But despite the hardships, the unexpected, and the uncertainties, they kept travelling towards the child.
 
So, as we go into this new year, may we be guided by wisdom, courage, compassion, and the light of the Christ child. Let us cherish the joys, learn from the trials, and remain open to the countless possibilities that await us. May we take each step with intention and grace, and may our journey be filled with love, grace, growth, and new possibilities.
 
“The road is revealed by turns you could not have foreseen.” Jan Richardson
 
A Prayer for the Year ahead
I arise today
Through a mighty strength:
God’s power to guide me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s eyes to watch over me;
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to give me speech,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to shelter me,
God’s host to secure me.
(First Millennium – Bridgid of Gael
 
Jane Coates.
7 January 2025

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Two posts joined as one

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Owing to us taking a Christmas break, this week we have two articles from Jane. The first is called Open Arms. 

When any of our family come to visit us, we normally rush from the house to the driveway to ‘welcome them with open arms.’ The grandchildren are often welcomed with a wide hug or picked up with a swirl around in the air-depending on their size of course. When each of the newborns arrived, we made sure that we visited, either hospital or home, and welcomed each one into our arms with great joy. It is a delight to welcome a new baby into the family.
 
For Simeon, his welcoming of the eight-day old infant Jesus, was a very significant event. It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen with his own eyes the Lord’s Messiah. ‘Led by the Spirit, Simeon went into the Temple. When the parents brought the child Jesus into the Temple to do for him what the Law required, Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God.’ Luke 2 v 27-28
 
Simeon took the eight-day old baby into his arms, holding him with arms of love and welcome, and again by the Holy Spirit spoke powerful prophetic words, and words of blessing, over the child and Mary, His mother. Simeon praised His God and blessed the young family. “Lord,” he said, “now I can die content! For I have seen Him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Saviour you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and He will be the glory of your people Israel!” Joseph and Mary just stood there, marvelling at what was being said about Jesus.
Luke 2 v 29-33
 
For many individuals and families, 2024 has been a challenging year, but as we look forward to a new year, with whatever it may hold for us, we can be assured that God is faithful and that He holds us securely. He is our refuge, and He does not just hold us in His arms, but He carries us close to His heart.
 
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33 v 27
 
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart: He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40 v 10-11
 
Then Jesus placed a little child among them; and taking the child in his arms He said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming my Father who sent me!” Mark 9 v 36-37
 
And Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10 v 16
 
So, he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15 v 20
 

A Blessing
Bless all who worship You, from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same. Of Your goodness, give us; with Your love, inspire us, by Your spirit guide us; by Your power, protect us; in Your mercy receive us now and always. AMEN

(An Ancient Collect)

 
And the second is… Planting Peace
 
I am very poor at growing anything green. It might be seeds, houseplants, plants for the garden or vegetables. I can succeed with cress and hardy perennials such as lavender, but little else. My father was a member of a horticultural society, and we had a garden and a large allotment which we looked after every weekend, but I am afraid that I did not absorb his many gardening skills. But I am encouraged to be a planter of peace. Our world is a very troubled place and, in 2024 on our screens we have witnessed wars, disasters, heartaches, mental health crises in our young people and much more. So, as we enter a new year, may we endeavour to be planters of peace, whether we feel capable, skilled or woefully inadequate. May we offer love, joy, gentleness, along with peace, as we connect with others in our everyday. Help us to share the peace of the Prince of Peace.
A Prayer for Planting Peace
(In the style of the prayer of St Francis of Assisi)
By Lizzie Ojo Martens
 
Lord as I reflect on the challenges present within my community
As well as my own lived experience,
I ask that you make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is division, let me sow unity.
Where there is stigma, belonging.
Where there is unfamiliarity, awareness.
Where there is sorrow, joy.
Where there is silence or shame, light.
Where there is isolation, inclusion and companionship.
Where there is hopelessness, hope.
O Divine Counsellor, grant that I may not so much seek to be comforted, but to comfort others
And to speak, as to listen.
For it is in giving that we receive,
And it is in your presence that we find peace.
 
For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
    will never end. Isaiah 9 v 6-7 NLT
 
In John 14 v 27 Jesus offers His shalom’ peace. He ‘bequeaths’’ His peace. Just as a rich person would bequeath property or something valuable to someone else, the peace of Jesus is bequeathed to us Jesus offers wholeness, completeness, soundness of spirit, soul and body, and wellbeing. This is His gift to us. Let us share this gift.
 
SONG
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be
 
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
 
Songwriters: Jill Jackson & Sy Miller
Let There Be Peace on Earth lyrics © Music Copyright Consultant Grp
 
Jane Coates,  23rd and 30th of December 2024.

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers. Perfect timing…

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Perfect Timing
 
Have you ever felt that you have just walked into the right place at the right time and met the right people? The timing feels to be perfect and precise, -as if it was always meant to be.
 
In the narrative of the birth of Jesus in Luke 2 I was challenged by the two elderly prophets, Simeon and Anna. Clearly, their arrival on the scene, just as the family arrived for Jesus’s dedication in the Temple at Jerusalem, was no happenstance. It was no coincidence or just good timing, because they were frequent attenders to the Temple Court. No. These two faithful worshippers were directed by the Holy Spirit to that very point, on that very day, at that very time, when Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus arrived in the Temple Court.
 
The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon and prompted by the Holy Spirit he came into the Temple enclosure at the perfectly planned, precise time. ‘Prompted by the Spirit, Simeon came into the Temple enclosure; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom required by the Law, Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed, praised, and thanked God’. Luke 2 v 27-28 AMP. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Simeon spoke prophetic words over the child, calling Jesus a Light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and God’s salvation. Simeon then addressed Mary with prophetic words. Simeon had been promised, again by the Holy Spirit, that he would not see death until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Simeon’s arrival, actions, and words at this point, were all directed by the Holy Spirit. He had waited many years for this precise moment in time.
 
Anna spent her days at the Temple serving and worshiping night and day, with fasting and prayers. But, at the precise time that Simeon was speaking with Joseph and Mary, she came along to that very spot, at that very time to the Temple enclosure. ‘She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she also began thanking God and telling everyone in Jerusalem who had been awaiting the coming of the Saviour that the Messiah had finally arrived’. Luke 2 v 38 TLB.
 
The Message version says, ‘At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.’ Anna sang an anthem of praise to God. Anna had waited patiently for many years for this precise moment in time.
 
Simeon and Anna were two faithful worshippers, filled with the Holy Spirit, waiting for the arrival of Messiah. The Holy Spirit prompted their attendance at the Temple when the timing was perfect. They had listened to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
 
The Holy Spirit will prompt us too, with His peace, and His Presence. We need to be patient as we wait for God’s perfect time. God is never in a hurry and though the waiting is hard we should not rush on ahead. There may be something that we have longed for, prayed for and we have become impatient and even discontented. But trust His timing. He knows the perfect time.
 
 From long ago no ear has heard and no eye has seen any God besides You, who works for those who wait for Him. You meet him who finds joy in doing what is right and good, who remembers You in Your ways. Isaiah 64 v 4-5NLV
 
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3 v 11
 
PRAY for God’s perfect timing and for patience in the waiting.
 
Jane Coates
16 December 2024

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers… WAITING

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WAITING…
 
Waiting can be hard, long, and frustrating. I could not begin to add up the number of hours that I have spent in my adult lifetime to date, waiting – waiting for the birth of a child; waiting at the doctors, clinic or hospital; waiting at the school gate, activity club, church hall; waiting for the production or concert to begin; waiting for the children’s exam results, decisions after interviews; waiting for the much needed holiday, or for long expected news. Waiting involves the expectation or hope that something will happen, being in readiness for its beginning or coming, and waiting with patience during the indeterminate period before the arrival or completion of the expected hope. I am well practised at waiting. But for many people, waiting is hard.
 
In the accounts of the birth of Jesus, there is a lot of waiting by a lot of people – Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary, and the elderly prophets at the Temple gate, Simeon, and Anna. For these people, their waiting was longed for, prayed for, and anticipated.
 
Zechariah and Elizabeth had prayed for and longed for a child. In their old age, Gabriel was sent to them with the news of the birth of their child, John. ‘But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.’ Luke 1 v 13
 
Gabriel was also sent to the young Mary with news of the promised Saviour that she would bear. Mary’s pregnancy and waiting could have been a troubling and anxious time as she no doubt faced the questions and quizzical looks of neighbours and villagers. But she would take comfort in the company of her cousin Elizabeth as they waited together. Mary would later endure a journey to Bethlehem, an anxious search for a safe place to deliver her baby, followed by a hurried escape to Egypt. There, Joseph, Mary and Jesus would be strangers and refugees for two years until they were able to return to their hometown. Waiting. Waiting for the right time. The safe time.
 
Simeon, a righteous and devout man, living in Jerusalem, ‘was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.’ Luke 2 v 25-26 Simeon was led to the Temple by the Holy Spirit, at the exact time that Joseph and Mary arrived with the eight-day old infant, Jesus, at the Temple for the ceremony of purification and circumcision. Simeon’s long wait was at an end.
 
Anna, an 84-year-old, widow, and prophet who worshipped daily at the Temple in Jerusalem, was also waiting, as were other worshippers, hoping for God’s intervention in Israel. ‘She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem’. Luke 2 v 37-38
 
From infant to child to man, John and Jesus waited until the time was right for them to begin their appearances and ministries on the world’s stage. We believe that Jesus was about thirty years old before He began His ministry. ‘Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God, saying, “The time has come at last—the kingdom of God has arrived. You must change your hearts and minds and believe the good news.” Mark 1 v 15
 
Waiting and perfect timing. The time had come at last. God’s timing is always precise, and perfect. He steps in at the right time-the ‘Kairos’ time- “the appointed time in the purposes of God.”
 
Song
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.
Our God, you reign forever
Our hope, our strong Deliverer.
Chris Tomlin
 
Hymn
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Charles Wesley
 
PRAY For those who are waiting-for news, for appointments, for surgery, for an answer to a longing prayer. Help us to trust God’s perfect timing in our waiting.
 
Jane Coates
13 December 2024
 

Jane Coates. Thoughts and Prayers. Passion and purpose

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Passion and Purpose
 
Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily, from the soul, as something done for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3 v 23 AMP
 
And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Colossians 3 v 23 MSG
 
We recently attended a very formal School Speech Day, with the distribution of prizes awarded to many of the students. Awards are given for the different academic subjects taken at school but there is another prize which is called the School Award for Inspirational Contribution to School Life. This award is for those students who have been involved in school life in a very wide sense-in Music, Choirs, Bands, Scouts, mentoring younger students and being involved in outside of school activities also. These students can inspire others.
 
The students were addressed by the Headteacher and a visiting Speaker who in her long career had worked for the Foreign Office, Ministry of Defence, been an Advisor to a Prime Minister, a Governor of the BBC, is a Peer in the House of Lords, and who had learned several languages during her illustrious career. But both of their messages to the students emphasized one thing-the importance of ‘going with your passion’. They were encouraged to choose the subjects, the courses, and the career path that would ‘give them a buzz’, that they were fascinated by, and not the things that teachers, parents or peer group would wish you to do. This is a very different message to the one that I received at A level. The path may not the easiest, traditional, may be out of the ordinary, but if it is your passion then you will succeed. It will be the thing that you can put your heart and soul into.
 
In the words from Colossians, Paul was addressing servants- those who had few rights, choices, or entitlements, if any, but he instructed them to work with heart and soul, as if they were working for their God and not for their masters.
 
One of the books that has had the greatest influence on me is The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. At the very beginning of his book, Warren states that God uniquely created each person- skills, looks, personality, temperament, abilities, and that each person is created for a purpose. “I am your creator. You were in my care even before you were born. Isaiah 44 v 2. Nothing in our life is arbitrary or accidental. God had very specific purposes for us that would allow us to be fulfilled, secure and happy. He knows our passions. But we must link in with Jesus.
 
It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1 v 11-12 MSG
 
PRAY Father, I am not like anyone else. I don’t have to try to be like anyone else. Your design and purposes for me are good. I can trust you with my passions, my  heart, and my soul.
 
All Thinking
 
I would rather be what God
Chose to make me
Than the most glorious
Creature that I could think of.
 
For to be born in
God’s thought
And then made by God
 
Is the dearest, grandest, and
Most precious thing
In all thinking.
 
C. S. Lewis
 
Jane Coates
5 November

Jane Coates, Thoughts and Prayers. Footsteps on the moon.

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Sunday 20th July 1969 was a memorable and momentous day. It felt as if the whole world was watching. It was the day of the first moon landing when the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle landed on the moon. On that day, mankind achieved something that many had previously thought to be impossible. You may remember watching Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon and then listen to his legendary words, “that is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” You may remember seeing the landing crafts trundling over the moon’s surface leaving their tyre tracks in the moon’s surface. The amazing thing is, that as there is no atmosphere on the moon as there is on earth, there is therefore no wind, rainfall, other atmospheric changes or movement on the moon to disturb those footprints. Those footprints and tyre tracks are still there. Footprints, from more than fifty years ago, are there and will continue to be there.
 
Thinking again about those footprints made me realize that we all leave our unique footprints. We all make a mark that is visible to others, and which may last for a very long time, and may have a deep impact on others. The phrase, ‘the world is watching’ is a very significant phrase for me as it reminds me that we are often ‘on view’ to others. People around us, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, other parents at the school gate, notice and observe our actions and reactions, and make judgements about them. Even people that we do not know at the supermarket, the gym, the garden centre, the library may be silently observing how we speak to others, smile, and conduct ourselves.
 
As Christians, we may sometimes feel that we are judged more closely and perhaps more harshly than other folk. The world loves to find fault and to criticize. Therefore, the standards that we may hold to can often feel to be higher. We are following in the steps of Jesus and so we reflect Him. When Paul wrote to the young man Titus, he made it clear to him that he had to be above reproach in everything. But not just that, Titus had to demonstrate in his words, his attitudes, his relationships, his walk, the graciousness of Jesus.
 
“And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine having the strictest regard for integrity and truth, dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent of the faith will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
Let no one disregard or despise you. Conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect.” Titus 2 v 7-8 AMP
 
He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely, Proverbs 10 v 9
 
PRAY Jesus, please guide my footsteps. I want to walk faithfully in your footsteps. Wherever I go this week, help me to leave a footprint of love, care and grace, considering the other rather than myself. Amen

Jane Coates. Thoughts and prayers. Safe and Sound

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         Safe and Sound
 
The idiom ‘safe and sound’ is a wonderful phrase that conjures up other words such as secure, home, free from anxiety, safety, settled and established. I love going away on holiday, but I am a ‘home bird’ now and at the end of a break I am ready to come home. When our own teenager with the group of Scouts returned from ten days of camping, trekking, and glacier walking in the Alps, we were thankful to have him home ‘safe and sound’ at the end of the expedition.
 
In the very familiar story of the prodigal son, we read that when the younger son was alone, without means of support, hungry, with no one to give him either help or food, he came to his senses and then he came home to his father. The phrase ‘safe and sound’ stands out in the story. One of the servants explains to the elder brother, the reason for the music, dancing and celebration. “Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.” Luke 15 v 27 The father also explains his reasons for the feasting, the best cloak, the ring and the shoes gifted to his son. “We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ Luke 15 v 33
 
We do not know how long the prodigal had been away from the family home, but the impression would be for an extremely long time-certainly months or even years. Without news of the son, the father in his worst moments, may have assumed that his son could have died in some far country. But he was now ‘safe and sound’, secure in the family and the home.
 
I often think of the story title more as ‘the waiting, loving father.’ The father who is constantly on the lookout for a returning son, his eyes monitoring that road home. The father who never gave up hope and who longed to wrap his arms around his youngest child. The father who ran towards his returning son to welcome him back-home before anyone else, such as the town elders could turn him away.
 
Our Heavenly Father is constantly on the lookout for us to come home to Him, -to be safe, sound, and secure in Him. He welcomes us back no matter what kind of condition we are in. He wants us to be free from all fear, and anxiety, and simply to come near to His heart of compassion.
 
As Moses, the ‘man of God’, was about to die, he gave each of the tribes of Israel a special blessing. His blessing to the tribe of Bejamin is particularly poignant. Let us claim this blessing for ourselves. Know that you are beloved of God, surrounded with His loving care and preserved from harm. You are safe in the father’s embrace.
 
Concerning the tribe of Benjamin, Moses said:
“He is beloved of God
And lives in safety beside him.
God surrounds him with his loving care,
And preserves him from every harm.”
Deuteronomy 33 v 12 TLB
 
Jane Coates, November 4th 2024

Jane Coates. Thoughts and prayers. Sadness, and a change of perception

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Today, Friday, is a sad day personally, as it is the funeral of a very good High School friend of longstanding. Her husband was the best man at our wedding and Phil was the best man for their wedding. We were nurtured as young Christians in the same church and had many happy days and challenges together. So today is a time of remembering those happy memories of school days, of post exam days, of catching up days and holidays, of shared meals, and life events, of looking back at photographs, and sharing the struggles of illness and final days.
 
Today, her partner of many years, will release her and see her go into safer hands. For all of us it is a change of perception. We let her go and say goodbye for now, as she goes to her destined port, where other voices welcome her home, and she is free in the welcome of her Saviour.
 
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, “There, she is gone.”
 
Gone where?
 
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as she was when she left my side.
And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me — not in her.
And, just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone,”
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”
And that is dying…
 
By Rev. Luther F. Beecher (1813-1903)
 
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever. Revelation 21v 4 NLT
 
PRAY for those who have said goodbye to loved ones. May their memories be full and joyous and bring peace of mind and soul.
 
Jane Coates
17th October 2024
 

Jane Coates. Thoughts and prayers. LIGHT.

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He wraps himself in light as if it were a robe, spreading out the sky like a canopy, Psalm 104 v 2 NIV

You’re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light. Psalm 36 v 9 MSG

Children are fascinated by light, rainbows and colour. The concept of light is challenging for small children, especially the idea that white light can be separated into rainbow colours, or even bent by passing the light through a glass prism. Yet, when I was teaching in primary school, the children loved to explore and have fun with different shaped prisms, making rainbows. The scientific explanation of different wavelengths or colours of light being refracted or dispersed by different amounts, causing them to separate, coming out of the prism at different angles, creating that wonderful spectrum, was often way beyond them. That would come later. But for now, it was fun to make rainbows.

We have some wonderful colourful light objects at home which delight the grandchildren. A multi-faceted glass crystal, a multicoloured lamp, and a magic book that opens with different kinds of light. These things delight and give joy.

Our early understanding of the God who created light from nothing, and Jesus as the Light of the world, are perhaps childlike in some ways. Some concepts are very hard to grasp. I love the description of our Creator God in Psalm 104, a Psalm which is very reminiscent of the Genesis creation account. Our Creator God wraps Himself in light. He made moon to mark the seasons, and the sun that knows when to go down. He set the earth on its foundations; and the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He is a fountain of cascading light.

We are now the children of light, and we live in the light of Christ. “You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord’s people, you are in the light. So, you must live like people who belong to the light.” Ephesians 5 v 8 GNT

The God who said, “Out of darkness the light shall shine!” is the same God who made His light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 v 6 GNT

May we reflect the light of Jesus, as children of light. May our words and lives be attractive, winsome, so that others notice something rather different in us and be attracted to the source of that light and energy. May our lights shine in the shadows and the dark places. May our lights point out the way for others.

A Celtic Circle Prayer

Circle me Lord, Keep hope near, And evil afar.”
Circle me Lord, Keep light near, And darkness afar.”
Circle me Lord, Keep peace within, Keep fear out.”
Circle me Lord, Keep hope within, Keep doubt without.

Mighty God,
My protection be
Encircling me.
You are around
My home, my street
Encircling me
O Sacred Three.

Jane Coates

7th October 2024

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