Do it with all your heart!

Wonders will never cease! Here I am again. I didn’t get to writing yesterday because I simply didn’t get a minute to blog (I’m in danger of sounding like a real blogger!) But today I’m blogging. And I’m wondering: how are you doing? How are you doing with the changing rhythms of life as they are now? I have my moments it has to be said. Sometimes I’m ok, no really I am. But sometimes I feel frustrated and even angry that things are not as the should be. I can’t do the tings I normally do in the way I normally do them. And maybe that’s true for you too. Today though I did something I don’t normally do. I went for a run! I used to go running a bit when I was younger, but I haven’t been running for a few years now. I have a dodgy knee (footballing injury) and I have a theory that running won’t help it! But today I went for a run. Not because I really wanted to, but because I’m wired up needing exercise and if I don’t exercise, well…just ask Lisa what I’m like. It’s good for my health and my mental health and good for the people who live with me! I wouldn’t choose to go running now, but these are different times. And it struck me as I was running there was something I might learn from this experience. I could run and spend the whole time bemoaning the fact that I was running and I didn’t want to or that I’m not as quick as I once was. Or I could be thankful that I can still run, that I had time and opportunity. And then I thought that maybe I could set myself a target through this time and challenge myself: how much can I improve my times or distances through this difficult time? Which made me think. There’s a verse in Ecclesiastes (9v10) which I love: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” I can apply that to everything I do in this challenging time, whether that be for things I like doing or things I am struggling to do. I’m wondering then, in exile, if this is something I can take to heart. And maybe you too. And I’m wondering what difference it would make to me, to those around me and to those I am trying to help.