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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. An Easter Reflection

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As I have been reading the Easter accounts again, I have tried to place myself into the shoes of some of the key players and to imagine what impact the events of that brutal Roman crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus would have on their lives. What would they do next? Would the resurrection transform their lives? Would they be changed?
 
Some of the transformations we know about. Judas Iscariot with his shame, horror, and dreadful betrayal and death. Mary Magdalene, John and Peter who were first at the empty tomb. But what of the Roman soldiers gambling for the clothes and tunic of a ‘Jewish criminal? Simon of Cyrene, of North Africa, a strong man, coming home from work, forced to carry the cross for Jesus. A Roman Centurion, at the foot of the cross and standing guard over the brutal proceedings, making his first faith declaration, “This has to be the Son of God!” Two high ranking Jewish officials working together to prepare the body of Jesus for burial. Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, had risked his position and reputation to publicly identify with a criminal and to request of the Roman Governor, Pilate, that he should take the body of Jesus from the cross and place it for burial in his tomb, having already purchased a linen shroud. Nicodemus, a wealthy, influential Jew, brought the expensive burial spices, myrrh and aloes, with which to anoint the body of Jesus. Working together, Joseph and Nicodemus, risking much, placed the body of Jesus in the cave tomb, without knowing the end of the Jesus story. The lives of each of these men would never be the same again. But how did it change them? Would Nicodemus still be a secret disciple?
 
Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. John 19 v 38-41 NLT
The group of women, Jesus’s mother, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and others holding their sombre, silent, vigil at the foot of the cross, waiting as they watched for the final breath of their Lord. They did not know that resurrection day was coming. And where were the disciples at this point? Were they in hiding, frightened that they too may be arrested? Were they keeping watch at a distance? What would they be thinking? But resurrection day was coming.
 
So now I ask myself, how will the resurrection of Jesus impact my life? How has it, how will it change my life, my thinking, my very being? Today, we declare, “It is finished.” “It is paid.” Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. I know that I am loved, I am forgiven, I am redeemed, I am chosen, I am a child of God, and I am special. I am family. Let this be our anthem each day.
 
In the Isaiah 53 passage it is so clear that the way is now open for others to experience this resurrection day. There will be many, many descendants, who will be counted free and righteous because the price for sin has been paid. It is finished.
 
But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush Him
    and cause Him grief.
Yet when His life is made an offering for sin,
    He will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
    and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in His hands.
When He sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
    he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
    my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
    for He will bear all their sins.
Isaiah 53 v 10-11 NLT
 
An Easter Prayer
May this Easter day bring resurrection life to my heart and my home.
May renewal radiate within me and revival emanate through me.
May dawn displace the darkness and spring replace the winter in my life.
May the God of hope so fill me with joy and peace this Easter
that I may overflow with hope by His power and life forever Amen
Pete Greig Lectio 365
 
A Prayer of willingness to Listen by Rachel Mojo.
So often I come to you with lists and demands.
Like a tornado I spew them out as commands.
To the next task, I move on with my day
Completely missing what you might have to say.
The noise of the world clogs my ears
And clouds my mind with fog and fears.
I need you to clear my senses, O Lord!
Give me a heart in tune with your Word.
May I be ever eager to hear your voice;
May listening continually be my choice.
 
Jane Coates
April 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – Two men, thirty miles apart, called by name

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Two men, thirty miles apart, called by name
 
I have often been aware of meeting someone or connecting with someone who seems to have been brought into ‘my orbit’ or linked with our family, at just the right time. The timing of the meeting or the connection, just seems to happen at the most perfect time. This feels to be a ‘God thing.’ It just feels to be right somehow- the perfect timing and the most supportive and significant of meetings and connections. As I read in Acts 10 there is one such God meeting where God speaks to two individuals, who would have no obvious connection, opposites in so many ways, in two unique ways, at a precise time, calling each by name and bringing them together, with the most significant consequences for the early church.
 
Cornelius is a Gentile, from Caesarea, the Roman city on the shores of the Mediterranean in Judea, and the headquarters of the Roman governor of the province of Judea. “There was a man in Caesarea by the name of Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment. He was a deeply religious man who reverenced God, as did all his household. He made many charitable gifts to the people and was a real man of prayer. About three o’clock one afternoon he saw perfectly clearly in a dream an angel of God coming into his room, approaching him, and saying, “Cornelius!” Acts 10 v 2 JBP God was getting his attention and giving clear, exact instructions.
 
Simon Peter is a Jew, a Jesus disciple, and an apostle.  Peter was in Joppa staying with “Simon the tanner, whose house was by the sea.” and Cornelius was instructed to send for him, and to invite him to come to Caesarea. At the exact time that Cornelius had dispatched his men to search out Peter, God spoke to Peter in a vision. Peter’s vision was of a sheet being lowered down to him, full of animals and creatures that were not permitted to be eaten as they were considered unclean. The word to Peter was. “Get up Peter. Kill and eat.” “While Peter was still thinking about this confusing vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So, get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Simon invited his gentile visitors in, offering overnight hospitality, and then travelled with them the following day to Caesarea. The Spirit’s instructions were clear and despite any reservations about the Jew/Gentile prohibitions, Peter went with them.

The outcome of this amazing God choreography was that Peter preached Jesus to Cornelius and those gathered with him heard the Jesus message. Cornelius and his household became believers, received the Holy Spirit and were baptized as Gentile converts. Peter realized that God was calling Gentiles into His kingdom on an equal footing with Jewish believers. There was no difference, no discrimination or partiality. Noone is unclean or excluded but all are welcomed and fully accepted into the Jesus family. This was a major turning point for the young church.
 
Two men were brought together to further God’s purposes on that day.
 
“I think angels watched that house that night, with the despised tanner a fellow-disciple, the great apostle, and the three Gentiles as they lodged there.” (Morgan)
 
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60 v 13
 
Jesus also promised, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. John 12 v 32
 
PRAY
For family and friends who do not know Jesus that God may place someone in their orbit who will influence and attract them towards Jesus.
Be thankful for our Christian friends and influencers.

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers… Breath and Bones

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Jane Coates – 2 for 1 – Thoughts and Prayers, The Hidden Person of the Heart and Grow your Gift

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The hidden person of the heart
 
I am reading through 1 Peter, and in chapter 3 Peter gives his advice to women and men, wives and husbands, about the importance of ‘the hidden person of the heart’ as opposed to concerns about physical appearance and the images that we project to others and to the world. I was rather amused as Peter spoke about the weaving and braiding of the hair, our public image, and being superficially preoccupied with our appearance. It was very early on in my cancer treatment that I chose to have my hair shaved, as the hair loss due to the chemo drugs was an inevitable consequence. But I was prepared for this with the wigs! I have four different wigs and so I can change my image daily if I wish. The short red wig has earned me the name of ‘Rock Chick’ which could not be further from the truth as far as my character and personality are concerned.
 
Your adornment must not be merely external—with interweaving and elaborate knotting of the hair, and wearing gold jewellery, or being superficially preoccupied with dressing in expensive clothes;  but let it be the inner beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, one that is calm and self-controlled, not overanxious, but serene and spiritually mature which is very precious in the sight of God.  1 Peter 3 v 3-4 AMP
 
Today, we are told, people are image conscious, guard their self-image, attempt to project a new image through their appearance, speech, behaviour and attitude, and are often over concerned about their body image. Our identity and self-image are extremely important but there is the great danger that the image that we choose to project may become a mask. We need to have a ‘vulnerable trust’ in other people so that we allow them to see the real person that we are. It is good to be open about our weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and struggles and to allow others to see the person inside, but-in a safe way. We also need someone who knows the complete truth! We need that person, friend, confidante or partner with whom we feel safe enough to be honest about ourselves and who we allow to see that ‘hidden person of the heart.’ Phil has walked the cancer journey with me and knows the truth about the hair-and much more besides! The returning hair is grey, thin, curly, untamed and unattractive!
 
For all of us, there is One person to whom we can safely show the’ real’ person both inside and out and that is Jesus. He knows us anyway and is working to change us into His image. He wants us to be walking billboards, advertisements for Him, and so He is changing us little by little so that we are transformed into His image, His likeness and character. His priority is ‘the hidden person of the heart’ and our spiritual maturity.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3 v 17, 18 NIV
 
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8 v 28-30 KJV
 
Pray this for our coming week. Sabbath Blessing by Pete Greig.
 
May this day bring Sabbath rest to my heart and my home.
May God’s image in me be restored and my imagination in God the re storied. May the gravity of material things be lightened and the relativity of time slow down. May I know grace to embrace my own finite smallness in the arms of God’s infinite greatness. May God’s word feed me, and His spirit lead me into the week and into the life to come.
 
Amen
 
PLUS – Grow your Gift 
 
We are Legal Guardians and Trustees for a grandson, and we manage the assets and money that were set aside for him many years ago. Everything that we do as Trustees is done for him, and in his, the beneficiary’s, best interests. We safeguard those interests and assets, and we cannot benefit from  them in any way ourselves. As Trustees, there are many responsibilities, but everything that we need to do, prioritizes his needs and welfare. So, it was with interest that I read the following verse in 1 Peter declaring that we are trustees of God’s multi-faceted grace and a steward of His gifts.
 
As each of you has received a gift, a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment, employ it for one another as befits good trustees of God’s many-sided grace, faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favour. 1 Peter v 10 AMP
 
This verse is so rich in meaning. First, it declares that we each have been given a talent, a specific gift, a spiritual gift, a gracious endowment, that is to be used for the benefit of others. Our Father God has a whole range of wonderful gifts and graces that He grants to believers through His unmerited favour and love. There is no exception. You are gifted and graced with something that He wishes you to use for the benefit of all. It is something that is special to you.
 
Secondly, we are trustees and faithful stewards of His grace and of the gift, or gifts, that we have been given. I am a trustee of His grace and so my priority is to look beyond myself and outwards towards the other. The needs and welfare of others, and especially those of the household of faith, should be my first consideration even though this may be costly at times. In a simpler translation it says, “God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.  NLT
 
If you are not sure as to what your special gift or grace is, then ask a close friend. They will have recognized It, if they know you well. Do not be embarrassed to ask them. We are talking about gifts-something ‘given. Your special gifts and grace are needed in your family, your fellowship, and your community. It is a gift that you have received and so do not hide it away. ‘Grow your gift’ and in this way God’s kingdom will also grow.
 
PRAY
Father, You are blending us together, for your purpose. Everyone is needed, everyone valued, everyone gifted, everyone included. Help us to recognize the gifts in each other.
 
Amen
 
Jane Coates
March/April 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and prayers – Knitting, Fishing and Connection

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Knitting, Fishing and Connection
 
This powerful drawing, top right in the collage above, is by 13 year old Anja Rozen,  a primary school student in Slovenia, it is called, ‘we are all connected.’ From 600,000 international entries from children and young people, Anja’s work was chosen as the winning piece, of the International Plakat Miru competition in 2020-2021, illustrating the theme of peace. Anja, an enthusiastic knitter, may have drawn inspiration from her other passion, knitting, for the idea for this striking piece of artwork.
 
“My drawing” says Anja, “represents the land that binds us and unites us. Humans are woven together. If someone gives up, others fall. We are all connected to our planet and to each other, but unfortunately, we are little aware of it. We are woven together. Other people weave alongside me, my own story; and I weave theirs.”
 
Her illustration encourages us to be more conscious of our relationships with one another, fostering that sense of community and shared purpose that is so essential in our search for peace and harmony. Anja Rozen may inspire us to safeguard our connections and strive for a more peaceful and cohesive world.
 
I spotted Anja’s artwork when Nathan’s Sunday morning message, 9th March, about net fishing as opposed to line fishing, was still much in my mind. I could visualize a large group of people, just like those you see in lower section of the collage, holding securely on to their part of the fishing net, not willing to drop their hold of the net’s edge, for fear that the contents could be lost. The net needed to be held firm by each person. Each person is valued and I need to look after the people to my right and left, and they need to look out for me. We are community together and we are looking out for others to come alongside to hold on to the net and to gather in the fish. I need others to strengthen my hands when they become weak, and my grip might weaken. We need the strong people to launch the net. We need those who are wise leaders to read the weather and the water currents, to know where the fish are likely to be, who can interpret the signs and know when to launch, close the net, and secure the catch. We need skilled crafts people to repair the net should it be weak or torn.
 
I used to play a cooperative game with my school students called ‘the web of strength.’ In this game, everyone stands in a circle and one person starts making a web with a ball of yarn or string. The first person shares a personal strength (e.g., “I’m good at listening”), and throws the ball of string to someone else across the circle. The process continues until everyone has shared a thought or a strength and is connected by the string The end result is a spider’s web of string across the circle. The physical web symbolizes how the students are all interconnected, how they can see their own and others’ strengths and weaknesses and value and support each other.
 
Connection is vital.
 
Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4 v 16 NKJV
 
Jane Coates
March 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – From Obscurity to Queen

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From Obscurity to Queen.
 
As we read through the Book of Esther we detect and feel the hand of God working, even though His name is never mentioned in the text. God’s presence and involvement in the lives and characters of Mordecai and Esther, and in their roles leading to the rescue of the Jewish people, are clearly perceived. Esther, an orphan, had been adopted by Mordecai.  ‘Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This young woman, who was also known as Esther, had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.’ Esther 2 v 7 NLT Esther was Jewish, not Persian, and therefore had no rightful claims to be considered for what was to be her new role as the Queen of Persia. But the hand of God was with her. After the demise of Queen Vashti, and the decree to find a new queen for King Ahasuerus, Esther was selected to join the young women in the protected harem, as a potential candidate. This might not have been her first choice of career but a clear purpose and plan for her life was slowly working its way out. God was putting her in a position to save her nation.
 
One person can make a difference! We witness Esther’s courage and faith. We witness her willingness to act and to risk her own life. We see her patience in undergoing the twelve months of preparation under the guidance of Hegai, with the careful following of his advice before she is even presented to the king. Her patience, wisdom and integrity, together with her acceptance of advice from Hegai and Mordecai at every step, would lead to the salvation of the Jewish people from a marked destruction. Before Esther goes before the king to plead for her people, she asks Mordecai to arrange for a three day fast and prayer among her people and only then does she act.
 
Mordecai reminds her that her role and request are so significant, that she may have come to the palace “for such a time as this.”
 
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4 v 14
 
Mordecai’s position at court also changed, becoming “ second in rank to King Ahasuerus, preeminent among the Jews, and held in high esteem by his many fellow Jews, because he worked for the good of his people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews.” Esther 10 v 3
 
Mordecai had worked faithfully behind the scenes-watchful, patient, and without self-promotion and because of this selfless, outward care and concern, was promoted to high office.
 
The decree concerning the liberation of the Jews became known as “Esther’s Decree,” and the new festival of Purim was established. “These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.” Esther 9 v 28
 
In the account of Esther, we witness the overarching love and plan of God for His chosen people, for their survival, the preservation of their identity, and in addition, non-Jews turning to the Jewish faith because of all that they have witnessed.
 
Questions
Do I trust God’s plan for my life?
Do I feel inadequate because of my circumstances, my family, my education?
Can I follow advice?
Can I work behind the scenes, unnoticed?
Can I wait patiently?
Can I work for the care and concern of others?
 
Jane Coates
March 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – Banquets and Celebrations

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Banquets and Celebrations
Phil and I have made many trips to China and one of the Important Chinese customs is to welcome guests on the night of their arrival with a special banquet. This is a very important meal, often formal, where dignitaries, local officials, and staff are invited to attend. It is a time for the exchange of gifts and words of welcome. There is always too much food and during and after the meal, there are toasts with alcohol, words of praise and commendation, and for our Chinese friends, the opportunity to enjoy too much alcohol and merriment. These banquets are often followed by a late-night karaoke session with even more riotous humour, singing, and laughter. The welcome to guests, the gifts, the food, drinking, celebrations and fun, reminds me of the forthcoming celebration of Purim. Purim is the time for fun and feasting for Jewish families, with dressing up costumes, masquerades, the giving gifts, and offerings to the poor all added to the mix.
Purim is celebrated on the 14th of March, when our Jewish neighbours and friends, and Jewish people around the world will celebrate the festival. We learn about the origins of Purim in the Book of Esther, when victory against an enemy, Haman, with his plans to annihilate the Jewish race in the 127 provinces of King Artaxerxes, across what is now Persia, was won through the wisdom, cooperation, trust, fasting and prayer, of two people, Mordecai and Esther and the quiet but unseen presence of God. It tells of the victory of the Jews against a possible massacre.
The festival is one of the most loved and joyous of Jewish holidays, celebrations and perhaps the high point in their calendar. There is plenty of food, the drinking of alcohol, mainly wine, the giving of gifts of food to friends, family and neighbours, and gifts to the poor. Another popular custom is the dressing up in costumes on Purim, perhaps as a reminder that Esther and Mordecai concealed their Jewish heritage at the King’s court.
In the Book of Esther there are so many extravagant banquets! In the third year of his reign, Artaxerxes gave a banquet for all his nobles, officials, princes, and military leaders lasting 6 months. Then, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, for those from ‘the least to the greatest’ living in the capital, Susa. Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the palace women. When Esther was chosen to replace Queen Vashti, “the king gave a great banquet, Esther’s banquet”, displaying his affluence. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with “royal liberality.” Esther gave 2 banquets, but only for the king and Haman alone, part of her plan to shame the wicked Haman and point to the truth about his plans. When Haman had finally been punished, Mordecai promoted to second in command, and the Jews no longer threatened, there were more celebrations.
“In every province and in every city to which the edict of the king came, Esther’s Decree, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.”
So, the feast of Purim is celebrated every year as “the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He (Mordecai) wrote to them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.” Esther 9 V 22 NIV
There is a time for celebrations, friends and family meals, anniversaries, weddings and banquets, laughter and games, and putting on the ‘glad rags.’
When the righteous see God in action they’ll laugh, they’ll sing, they’ll laugh and sing for joy. Sing hymns to God; all heaven, sing out; clear the way for the coming of Cloud-Rider. Enjoy God, cheer when you see him! Psalm 68 v 3 The Message
PRAY
Give me joy in my heart keep me praising.

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers. Memories.

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Memory… is the diary that we all carry about with us. Oscar Wilde
 
We all have a memory bank of stored away images, experiences, joys, sadness, special people, friends, places, and it is important to keep these memories alive. They are an essential part of who we are and our story telling. If we can recapture significant moments, then we can keep those important memories alive. With our fondest, treasured memories, we are not just remembering and sharing old times. These memories come with depth and meaning. We have a million and more recollections and emotions stored away that are like the chapters of books, that go on and on. We have our photo books and albums of photographs that help to keep memories alive and fresh. We must safeguard our memories.
 
It is important that our children and grandchildren build up a good store of memories which will remain with them.
 
“” Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. Charles R Swindoll
 
These memories are significant and will build into a whole library of books that can be taken out and read once again. It is a library store of happy times, experiences, challenges, successes, holidays, family times, birthdays, friends, songs, laughter, sporting prowess, music and school milestones. Even the sad times, the failures, the losses, the tragedies, the problems, are carefully shared and deposited in their Library. We add tangible objects to their memory boxes -holiday novelties, special T shirts, medals, certificates, badges and a hundred and one small items that may seem ridiculous at the time but will carry so much meaning in the years ahead. The box becomes a rich collection of memories that will remain with them into the years ahead.

You have done many things for us, O Lord our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all— their number is so great! Psalm 40 v5 GNT
 
When we trust in, and live in Christ, there is a whole new dimension of love and care that we see that He has planned for us. They are plans to give hope and a future. Each of our days and weeks are set before us with their challenges, steps to growth and maturity, stories, friendships, ‘mountain top experiences,’ and fresh insights. These experiences are personal and unique to us. We cannot donate them to our children. They must add them to their own library of experiences. They cannot be second-hand. But we can introduce our children and others to this new section of the library.
 
PRAY
Lord, help us to keep adding to our rich memory store of precious memories, for ourselves, our children, our families and those that we care about.
 
Jane Coates 
1 March 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers. Trust – in the Fog

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Trust-in the Fog
 
As I was driving back in the car late-into the evening, the night was bleak, dark and foreboding, and the nighttime sky was heavy with rain, black clouds, and thick gloom. It was difficult to see where the edges of the road were. Our main country road has no street lighting or pavements at either side, but simple grass verges-with major holes, dips and a small beck at the edge. It reminded me of a time, when as a younger, more inexperienced driver, I was driving in deep fog. It was difficult to see even two metres in front of the car and even after trying to follow the white edges of the pavement, I found myself not on the road at all, but on the forecourt of a parade of shops. I judged it wise to stop and get out of the car.
 
There are times in life when we are in a place of confusion, disappointment, lacking clarity and a clear focus for the way ahead. It can be distressing ‘not to know’ the way ahead, not to the o be sure of the outcome, and not to know if the desired result or answer to a prayer will be realized. There is a risk of going off the road and on to the forecourt where we are stuck for a while, or of trying to manufacture our own solution to a desired result.
 
Many will be familiar with my C journey. The very worst part of that journey was the five months of chemotherapy with its unpleasant and disabling side effects. Initially, the powerful drugs seemed to be effective but then during the second round of chemo an MRI scan clearly showed that the tumour had doubled in size and that the move to surgery was essential. The surgical team were superb, and the final pathology report and further MRIs confirmed that there was no spread of the cancer. So, although that news was excellent, I was still left confused, and saddened, that after the five months of treatment with its significant delay to resolution, those months seemed to be wasted, bleak and fog bound. But with God nothing is wasted, there are always lessons to be learned. I had trusted Him.
 
It is in those times of weakness and disorientation that you need the prayer support of others. Prayer needs energy, patience and vision. There are times when you have none of those. At those times of confusion, we need to trust a loving God and surrender to His outcome. I was so glad of the prayer support of our Leaders, the Sunday prayer team, the church prayer link, the church fellowship, friends around the country and abroad, and anyone who prayed at that time. On the day of the surgery, the presence of Jesus was tangible. It was so evident that He was with me.
 
So, when we are in the fog, don’t keep pushing ahead. It is safer to stop and reach out to friends for prayer and help.
 
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life. Philippians 4 v 6 MSG
 
PRAY
Have I trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
I should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can I find a friend so faithful,
Who will all my sorrows share?
Jesus knows my every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
 
Am I weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still my refuge!
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
 
Adapted from words by Joseph Medlicott Scriven
 
Jane Coates
February 2025

Jane Coates – Thoughts and Prayers – Everything

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I am a great fan of the BBC Series Call the Midwife, and in a recent episode we saw a new, trainee midwife, Sister Catherine, moving into Nonnatus House to complete her training. 
 
Not long after Sister Catherine’s arrival Sister Monica Joan, a much older, experienced nurse seeks ‘the new girl’ out and engages her in a fascinating and challenging conversation asking if this is the life she imagined, and what changes a life given entirely to God would entailed.
 
Sister Catherine, who by now we have learned used to enjoy  trampolining and golf begins to list her thoughts…  “my time, pear drops, my cat Maude, mascara, coffee in the percolator, my brothers and sisters, waking up in my flat with my friends. Choosing what to wear, choosing what to eat, choosing what to do… sometimes, it’s the choosing that I miss most of all.”
 
In other words, you could say that as Sister Catherine sees it God demands her all, He doesn’t pick and choose. If her new life means she is to follow Him, He demands her everything. 
 

Hearing her say this I began to think about the word ‘everything.’ It is rare for someone to relinquish, surrender their rights or to give up their control of something. It would usually apply to property rights, part of an inheritance, or in rare occasions, the rights to the care of a child. Sister Monica Joan was born into a wealthy, aristocratic family who had disapproved of her choice of a Midwifery career and even more so of her being a Nun, taking her vow of poverty. Sister Catherine, at the beginning of her own journey, was honest about the challenge of ‘letting go,’ and the right to choose for herself.

 
We sometimes sing the old hymn ‘I surrender all.’ I find it immensely difficult to sing this hymn. It is hard to relinquish control, to ignore our material ‘stuff,’ and things that we like to have around us. We have our home, our car, our salary, our pensions, our holidays, the electronic devises that connect us to family and others. We have daily plans, schedules, and the things which entertain.
 
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
 
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
 
Immediately after Jesus was baptized, He was taken into the desert for a time of severe testing. In the third and final test Jesus was taken to a very high mountain, shown all the kingdoms of the world, their magnificence, and their delights, the devil, announcing, “everything there I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” “Away with you, Satan!” replied Jesus, “the scripture says, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’.” Matthew 4 v 8-11 NIV
 
The devil offered Jesus ‘everything.’ Everything can be yours, but only if you will worship me.
 
Jesus was tested to the extreme, which gives me hope that He understands my struggles, my confused priorities, my muddled thinking, my pressures and my weakness.
 
PRAY
What do I hang on to at all costs? What time swallowing task could I let go of?
Jesus, shape my life so that it may more resemble yours.  Prune my priorities and desires.
 
Jane Coates.
February 2025
 
 
 
 

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