In God I trust

This morning I just want to give thanks for the NHS and particularly the Banchory surgery. Three times in the last six weeks I have gone in for my regular blood check and shared another problem with the nurse – and all three times I have been fast-tracked to the duty nurse or the duty doctor, or both, and given expert advice and treatment immediately.

I’ve walked out without the anxiety of a bill which would follow in the post, or a claim I would need to make to an insurance company. 

I thank God for the people who work in the NHS in Scotland, and pray that they may be properly paid for their compassion and skill and hard work.

This morning I read Psalm 56, and the commentator chose these verses: When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?

What encouraging words on this dreich Scottish summer’s day. Anxiety can rise when I hear the news, when I think of certain situations or even when I plan fun events. This morning I choose to praise God and trust in him. He has all the details of my life in his loving hands; he’s never abandoned me yet and he’s not going to now.  

In God I trust.

Dreich

It’s a Scots word. Dreich. It means just how it sounds. Damp, grey, and pretty much yuk.

So much for my determination to stop complaining about the weather then. 

It’s funny though. Weather like this – not just cold but dreich – drains the colour from the day and somehow robs me of inspiration and zest. I’d like to give way, light the fire and put on the DVD of Downton Abbey. But I’ve got things on my To-Do list and can’t just abandon them.

Funny how you write a To-Do list and then spend most of your time doing other things. Like right now. I can’t find my flat sandals. It’s not like I’ve been wearing them all winter, but I hope to be wearing them soon, and where are they? 

It reminds me of the story Jesus told of the lost sheep – how the shepherd, though he still had 99 sheep, ensured their safety and then headed out to search for the one which was lost. He loved that sheep and wanted to find it. 

He came out and found me when I was lost. I will be eternally grateful for that.

Now I don’t have 99 pairs of shoes, nor do I love my flat sandals – but I quite like them and besides that, I need them and can’t afford to go shopping for another pair. 

Unlike a lost sheep, they won’t answer when I call, so I need to get looking again.

And now, before this gets any sillier, I will stop.