R's rue

Rivelin Valley view showing the water treatment works Well, it was little Margot's second birthday today. She shares November 2nd with the legendary blogger - Steve Reed  - and I guess a few million other people. She wasn't feeling too well as last week ended - perhaps it was COVID - so celebrations were low key. For instance, she did not go out to a fancy  steak restaurant in London's Docklands to spend a king's ransom - like the aforementioned Steve Reed. For once, it was not down to me to prepare the Sunday dinner. Instead Stew was doing it to mark Margot's birthday. This meant I had some free time and co-incidentally, I needed a good long stroll so I drove over to the Lodge Moor suburb to the west of this illustrious city and parked Butch - the new car. Path above The Rivelin Valley. It skirts Hallam Golf Course. I had a circular walk  worked out and the weather was good. It was typically autumn with the leaves of deciduous trees revealing an arra...

 Even as the Blue Jays lost last night, they won. They won my heart. They won the real prize. And in life, my life even as I struggle with the what ifs, the pain, the almost, what could’ve been, God appears. God says your reward is not hardware. Your reward is your response. Even when I think I lose I win. Even as I struggle with the mounting disappointment of each new question, I’m reminded that I’m being tested. And I’m tired of being tested. But the test has a point. A purpose. Whom do I serve? God or my own pain?  In losses I learn what a win never does. Why does the loss always teach me more?  Why is it more valuable?  I will tell you every team for the most part has been the loser, yet the victor for me.  Pain teaches me more that joy ever has. Because in pain, I learn what joy really is. Joy is not a victory. Sure it’s the desired outcome, but sometimes outcomes don’t teach us clarity and a peace that passes our need to know. Jesus is not giving me what ...