Today I don’t feel particularly full of faith, wisdom, or inspiration. Just slightly tired and mildly overwhelmed.I’ve got two assignments due tomorrow, one written and one very much… not. I’m heading to my parents on Saturday for the Easter break, and there’s plenty to organise. But right now, there’s no real brain space to planContinue reading “Lent 2026: Still held”
Tag Archives: grace
Lent 2026: I nearly didn’t write today
When I started the Lent series this year, I told myself it was OK not to manage every day. It’s hard to juggle essays and sermons and reading. Adding daily blog posts into the mix… well, I didn’t think I’d manage it. But here we are. Day 28. With posts ranging from Panda Theory toContinue reading “Lent 2026: I nearly didn’t write today”
Lent 2026: Holy Clumsiness
Yesterday I wrote about Panda Theory, the idea that we are loved without having to earn it. I gave the advice to “be more panda”, but today I want to explore that a little further. Pandas are wonderfully clumsy creatures. They roll off platforms, fall out of trees, and, at least judging by the videosContinue reading “Lent 2026: Holy Clumsiness”
Lent 2026: Be more panda
Scrolling social media today I came across a cute picture labelled “Panda Theory.” It explained that pandas are clumsy, slow, and spend most of their day eating… and yet everyone loves them anyway. Naturally, I assumed this must be a real psychological theory. So I looked it up. It isn’t. (There is a book calledContinue reading “Lent 2026: Be more panda”
Lent 2026: Your soul knows the steps
Today we were learning about a spirituality of joy. We listened to a video of Dr Barbara Holmes, a spiritual leader who died in 2024, talk about joy as an essential part of the spiritual life. One memorable quote from the talk was: “No matter their circumstances, we are called to joy.” It was surprisinglyContinue reading “Lent 2026: Your soul knows the steps”
Lent 2026: Even me
I’m on retreat this weekend, a much-needed break from college deadlines. As ever with retreat houses, at least the ones I’ve been to, it feels like the middle of nowhere: a long winding track, surrounded by trees, and very little signal. It’s a strange relief to have an enforced break from technology. (Yes, I realiseContinue reading “Lent 2026: Even me”
Lent 2026: The wonder of love and the power of grace
I’ve often written about music and its place in my faith. The way harmonies and melodies can reach deep into my heart. But sometimes it isn’t the notes that break through. Sometimes it’s the words. A few years ago, a friend introduced me to the song Vagabonds by Stuart Townend. I quickly fell in loveContinue reading “Lent 2026: The wonder of love and the power of grace”
Lent 2025: Through the lens of Grace
Today is Holy Saturday. Traditionally, a day of stillness and silence between the devastation of Good Friday and the triumph of Easter Day. It’s interesting to wonder how the disciples would have felt. The whole world has changed, and yet life continues. Would they have been thinking back over the last few days, wondering whatContinue reading “Lent 2025: Through the lens of Grace”
Lent 2025: Spy Wednesday
Continuing my discovery of the additional themes of Holy Week, today is known, in some traditions, as Spy Wednesday – the day we remember Judas Iscariot making the choice to betray Jesus. A far cry from the glory of James Bond or Jason Bourne, here the term spy means to ambush or snare. It’s anContinue reading “Lent 2025: Spy Wednesday”
Lent 2025: A Mixed Bag and a Merciful God
Phew! I’ve arrived at Friday evening.Do you ever have weeks that feel too full, like you’re not quite sure how you managed to fit everything in? That’s been my experience this week. A week that’s been rich and busy, a mixture of beautiful and overwhelming moments. And now I’ve reached the end feeling tired, butContinue reading “Lent 2025: A Mixed Bag and a Merciful God”
The Reason for my Hope Blog 