MIDLIFE WRITER

Grace was a Labourer in the field of her home counties. From dawn till dusk there you would find he, working along side her father. Grace was in her 40's and her father showed the wisdom of his years. There was was also Keith and Will the hired farm hands. Whilst mother stayed home doing the good duties of a devoted mother and wife. Whatever the season or circumstance there was always plenty to do. The neighbouring farm would sometimes lend a hand if needed. Grace, Keith, Will and father would return the favour whe a neighbour needed. Sometimes Grace mother would also lend a hand. No greater time was needed than when it was harvest time. Everyone would pull together to get the harvest in on time. From first light till dusk, Father and farm hands would be tending to their crops. Grace would stay on the farm tending to the needs of the farm yard. Whilst mother was heard singing whilst going about her daily chores.  "For Autumn harvest prepares for the winters feast. &qu

The book of Psalms is an anthology of Hebrew hymns. In the Jewish and Western Christian traditions, there are 150 psalms, The book is divided into five sections, each ending with short verse or a hymn of praise. There are several types of psalms, including songs of praise, communal and individual laments, royal psalms, imprecation, and individual thanksgivings. The book also includes psalms of communal thanksgiving, wisdom, pilgrimage. While many of the psalms contain attributions to King David and other Biblical figures including Asaph, the sons of Korah, and Solomon. The book of Psalms is found in the middle of the bible. The middle psalm is psalm 118:8-9; It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes . The longest psalm is Psalm 119 with 176 verses; that would take awhile to read the whole 176 verses in one go. The shortest psalm in the bible if found in 117 which only contains two verses

1 Corinthians 3:7; So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. JOY IN HER GARDEN For many years I had a love hate relationship with gardening, that was untill I got my very first garden in 2019. It has transformed a patch of concrete rubble into the little garden that it is today. With the love, hard work and dedication my mum and dad together we've transformed it into a little garden that that it is today.    Sarah is still not an expert but I have enjoyed pottering in the garden.   I've had wonderful horticultural training from the best teachers (my parents) and with their help its has come to be a daily blessing. I'm thankful to them for their hard work and guidance. It is also helps her when volunteering at Horatio garden where she carries out essential house-keeping, to keep plants and garden room looking it best for patients and visitors. Sarah is still learning plant names and now can just about tolerate gard

This is an extension of one of the two poems I have written this week, in response to the tragic events that we have witnessed this week in Southport. - THE MATTER OF TIME -  When times where good, When times where hard. These times we've had, These times now passed. When times have mattered, When times have changed. Those times we've acted, Those times we've deliberated. When times have united, When times have separated. These times we've treasured, These times we've marked. Those times we've trusted, Those times we've prayed. When times we've sinned, When times we've pardoned. When times we have reacted, When times we have paused. Those times we've inspired, Those times we've rebelled. When times we've listened, When times we've ignored. Those times we've blamed, Those times we've loved. They are times unreturned, They are times consigned. These are times remembered, These are times captured. ©️Midlife Writer ~ S.J.Holden

"Hi, how are you, how you doing?...." I can't believe it's been a week since I boarded a train to Criccieth at 9am. I know God was in it especially train travel and meeting new people (no anxiety - ptl). At 1am Sunday I wrote my story plus another little story (I don't write stories, so watch this space), Making it 8 stories written since last years retreat. I met some amazing fellow Christian writers, old and friends; some I've only met via a screen.  Have  you ever heard of the Biblical friends Mary and Martha. Mary, is the artistic poetic philosopher, who is thrilled to just bask in the moment. She is stirred, thrilled, touched and inspired by the presence of Jesus. Maratha, is certainly a doer, she worked her fingers to the bone in her super-efficient way. Yet, here in the story, Jesus rebukes Martha, It’s a gentle rebuke. I guess I've been a bit of Maratha always doing and finding it to rest.  "There was long moments of stillness and silence.&quo

I'm currently sitting on a train heading home after a fabulous 5 days at Criccieth on a christian writers retreat, this is the second year I've been. What a fabulous bunch of creative writers that I've had the blessing of sharing fellowship with and God even blessed us with glorious weather. I  believe I was the only poet amongst the story tellers. I soon discovered that didn't matter as we all write in different genre's, it has one central purpose; we are ' Kingdom Writers', we write to glorify the name of Jesus to our peers and communities. One thing or one word even that was very evident to me was the word 'wait', it appeared at least once in every session. Yes I have all material (actually to much), I'm the person who wants it out now; but perhaps right now isn't the write time. Over the few days I discovered it's a mine field out there in the publishing world, something that is still alien to me. Weather it's next year or in twe