It actually WAS an adventure as I found things I’d forgotten I had and even found a £10 note down the back of a chair!  

The other day I was worshipping in the bath (it’s the best place for me because no one else can hear my voice!) I was singing a song about His forgiveness and found myself asking the Lord how He saw my heart? (Being in conversation with the Lord is an adventure as He never speaks predictably but always truthfully and in love.) To my shock...

He calls me ‘chosen and loved’ and calls me out of my hiding places because He loves to see me and to hear my voice, (Song of songs 2:14) He even says He wants to bring me healing and deep comfort and then empower me so I can give authentic comfort to those around me. (2 Cor 1:4)

He has given us the mind of Christ and calls us all His beloved children and heirs. One may be gifted one way and someone else another, but we were all created lovingly by our Heavenly Father and made in His image.

I have given you a sound mind not a spirit of fear. (1 Tim 2:7) Even in those times when you don’t know how to plan because life seems uncertain and you feel out of control, be sure that I know the end from the beginning. I AM in control and am drawing all things together for your joy and growth. Relax in me my beloved.’

He stood you on the podium and put a glorious banner around you and a winner’s medal over your head. He was so full of joy that you’d reached the finish and in His eyes, you’d achieved so much.

I am a branch, a beautiful, powerful life bearing branch. I am chosen. I have been grafted in for a purpose. I carry His beauty and through me His life is propagated. I am entwined with others.

I said goodbye to my mum this week. After a month of feeling the sadness of her death, I was faced with seeing a polished wooden coffin covered in flowers and a lovely photo. Was that mum? Was she really in that coffin? How could that be?

My mum died 2 weeks ago. She is not here anymore. She has gone. Writing those words feels very strange. I can hardly believe I will never see her again, never give her a hug, make her a sandwich, help her get going in the mornings, text her to check she is ok…

I was chatting with a man the other day who said that throughout his childhood his dad would say that he wasn’t his father and wanted nothing to do with him. It was all a lie but a very cruel lie as it left him with deep-rooted shame and the belief that he had defrauded his way into life and wasn’t meant to be.

Now we’ve stepped into the New Year it seems good to look back and take stock. Twelve months ago I had just completed and submitted the manuscript that would become my new book. At that time, it had no title and no cover design and still needed a great deal of editing to reach the point of being publishable.

Today with just a couple of weeks to go before Christmas and knowing this is the season of peace and joy, I am battling with feeling bad about myself and hating the fact that I never seem to change despite my best intentions.

It’s funny how shame messages sneak in so subtly. I can be going about my day quite happily but out of the blue a thought comes in that propels me back onto that pathway of pain and shame.

I’m very excited to be starting this Unashamed blog and will be posting regularly, exploring what it means to live unashamed.