I have heard from a few people over the weekend and although they have celebrated Easter through the various services and blog are nevertheless feeling very much at a loss. Easter Sunday was very much a climax, but then it felt downhill for some.
It can be very hard to try when isolated to keep up the positivity all the time when perhaps all you long for is a chat with the family or friends, a hug, to go out shopping or a nice latte out in your favourite cafe. There are times when we feel fed up and a bit down. This is quite natural. It is ok to feel like this but also we need to stimulate ourselves with things we can do for our physical health, as well as our mental health's sake. This isn't as easy, but encouraging each other, being prepared to share how we feel today and trying to open doors which which will fulfil our needs and inspire us each and every day.
This was the very reason that yesterday, I tried to encourage you to think again about plans for the Easter house. It can be hard to motivate ourselves to do things. I know myself that I said to Becky my daughter that I would clear out my drawers and wardrobes, getting clothes to pass on, but I haven't yet got around to this. Chatting this morning with Sandy she said exactly the same. It is very hard to be creatively motivated when we all put the onus on getting through each day of the lockdown period. I have a friend from school, who is a potter amongst other things and she messaged me yesterday to say this time of isolation is giving her the perfect inspiration to make and create some pottery work of art. She had started on something for the church. How wonderful to create something Spirit-led that can be used for God's glory in the church.
Look very carefully at Di's photo of a bee emerging from its dry ground.
Today, I'm suggesting we all spend some time to enjoy a journey with bees! Yes, we have been asked to identity bees that we see round and about. There are certainly lots of different bees around, big and very big! Different colours, different sizes and with different purposes.
When you go out for your daily exercise have a good look or through your windows study what you see and how bees behave. There are many sources online that are using data on bees to help with their conservation as well as making us aware of how we can help them thrive in our gardens. Have a look at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust website to help identify what you've seen - you can also take part in their online wildlife recording survey if you want to help their conservation on a more proactive level. Here is a link to their website for you to have a look at:
Di has sent me this wonderful birdsong today which has helped her over the weekend and offered it, as something which might help us. It is glorious! Use it alongside your time looking for (and at) bees to help over a challenging day or two, focus on these amazing little creatures without whom our very lives would collapse, and enjoy the bird song, let it filter into your being and inspire us in our down moments.
Do send me any photos of the wildlife you spot this week and I'll share them on the blog later to help us all find a little wonder and inspiration!