Coffee with God by Gail Spence

More Coffee with God? What’s all that about? Well, for those who have not come across it before, Coffee with God is an article I write in our church magazine. It started as a ‘one-off’ after a sleepless night. I think the first one was about ‘prayer’. Prayer is important to me, and even more so at the moment. It’s the first thing I go to most days during breakfast; for me it’s a time to be still and think about the day, hence the title “Coffee with God”.

I have a disability, so planning at the start of a day is important and, like I said in that first church magazine article, sometimes my prayer can just be saying, “Morning God”, or just sitting still with my drink and concentrating on my breathing - to a full blown “Why? it’s not fair!” conversation, or “Who cares anyway?” Today was one of those days. I got up as normal and felt good, the morning went well, I managed to get a few little jobs done, then everything started falling apart. The TV reported that the PM had caught the covid-19 virus, then others from the government were confirmed as testing positive. The reporter was constantly going on and on about it; how is he going to cope? who will take over if he can’t run the country? what will happen to the government if more fall ill? Well, call me cynical but they will just have to do what the rest of us are doing - work from home, keep safe, and do our best.

We can all follow the example of the NHS who are dealing with a situation never been seen before, yet they carry on, and most of the time (as I write) without proper personal protection, yet still turn up for work, working long hours. I know some have felt guilty when they can’t go into work due to illness in their family. So let’s pray for all the frontline NHS workers; doctors, nurses, auxiliary staff, porters, cleaners and kitchen staff, clerical and administration staff, all those working in our doctors’ surgeries, pharmacy staff and prescription delivery people, all those delivering vital equipment, the half a million plus who have volunteered in any way to help, and all those unsung volunteers I have missed.

THANK YOU!!!

We pray for protection for them and the strength to deal with each day. When they get time off, hold them Lord, help them rest to renew their energy. We also pray for those who seem to have no regard for others, or the health restrictions, but carry on with their normal lives; Lord open their eyes.

Yes we are living in a time of a viral pandemic, but we are also living with a pandemic of God’s love in action. I know which I would prefer. It’s within each and every one of us, and (thankfully) there is no cure!

Yet you can get a prescription for it.

Prescription for: Patients name. you

Charge: None

To be taken: Daily as and when needed

Repeat prescriptions: Unlimited

Side-effects: Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Self-control, Feeling of well-being.

It doesn’t come in a bottle or packet and can be passed on easily to others in every action we do to help, from a simple phone call, or a card through the door, to full-on care for those who are ill.

So, what is it? God’s Spirit.

So, I pray for peace for us all, that any fear will be stilled as we journey together through these difficult times.

May God hold you,

Christ walk with you,

And the Holy Spirit fill you.

God bless,

Gail

Keep safe and keep taking your prescription.

P.S. This was sent to me just as I had finished writing. It says it all.