Tag Archives: blogging

Signs and Wonders in Slovakia.

Posted in Healing, My thoughts, Prayer, Travel by

Slovakia is in Central Europe.  It’s people are peaceful but have suffered from other empires in Europe that have ruled over them.  Hungarians, Austrians, Turks, Germans and Russians have ruled over them through the centuries.  Recently the Slovaks celebrated the twenty fifth anniversary of their liberation from communism.
We stayed in a hotel on the last two nights of our stay in Bratislava.  The dining room was like a museum.   I was amazed at the animals that are displayed there.  On one wall were the hides of a bear, two leopards and two wolves.
I thought of the scriptures from proverbs,

Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭15‬ NIV)

The Slovak people have had their share of others ruling over them.  The symbols of the dead animals remind me that those oppressors are not ruling over the Slovak people any more.  There is a new generation of people who are recovering from the former oppression and with God’s help are being set free and are prospering.  
Pope John Paul 11 said that Slovakia will help the rest of Europe.  How can a humble people influence the rest of the nations around about.  By their example of love, humility and forgiveness.  As they know God’s love they reach out to others.
Branio is a Worship leader who plays the guitar and sings in Slovakia.  He was having a week of meetings throughout the country while we were there.  On the Thursday night he fell and broke his wrist.  That would have meant he could not have continued the scheduled meetings.   Fifteen people gathered around him and prayed for him.  He could feel cracking in his wrist and the pain ease.  He composed himself and tried to play his guitar.  His wrist worked as normal.   He did not have to go to hospital.  He continued with his appointments for the rest of the week.
The prayers of many brought him healing.   God healed his arm.  There are signs and wonders happening in Slovakia. There is joy and freedom instead of oppression over the people. The lion and the bear are defeated.

Have You Had a Bad Hair Day?

Posted in Healing, My thoughts, Nations, Prayer, Provision, Travel by

When travelling I often run out of the shampoo and conditioner that suits me best when at home.  When I travel with Easyjet or Ryanair I am limited to the small amount of liquid that is allowed on carry on luggage.  I am at the mercy of the gifts of shampoo in the hotel room or the shampoo belonging to my hosts or the type of water, whether hard or soft.   I never know what my hair will turn out like.  My hair could turn out curly, wavy, smooth or standing out or up.

I was feeling a bit frustrated last Saturday morning before an event in which Brendan and I were taking part.  Tempers flare easily when one is tired.  My hair looked dull and I was feeling dull.  It was our last meeting after a busy schedule in Slovakia.  I had to encourage myself in The Lord to finish the race.

Afterwards I read this scripture.  

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭3-4‬ NIV)

I quieted myself, picked myself up, gathered my bag and coat and waited for our lift.  No more worry about how I looked.  After hours of praying for people, I looked radiant.  The important thing was that Brendan and I worked in unity.  The Lord gave Brendan and me the strength to finish well.

Suicide is Not Painless

Posted in Family Friday, Healing, My thoughts, Nations, Prayer, Travel by

I was on the last leg of our journey home from Bratislava yesterday evening.  We picked up our car from my daughter’s apartment.  I was driving from Belfast.  I was driving along Shaws bridge and pulled up at traffic lights.  
Brendan turned on the CD player.  A CD called Visions from K-tel, a compilation of movie songs was playing.  A song called Suicide is Painless started.  It was the sound track from a movie called MASH written in 1969.
I couldn’t believe my ears.  The words said 

That suicide is painless
It brings so many changes
And I can take or leave them if I please

The game of life is hard to play
I’m gonna lose it anyway
The losing card of some delay
So this is all I have to say

Words have power.  These words have power.
Just then I turned left after the traffic lights into a busy dual carriageway of traffic that was coming straight for me.  I took a wrong turn.  Thankfully some angels were protecting us from disaster.  The traffic slowed and gave me space to make a quick  U turn and escape.  I avoided suicide! 
I wonder what has been the fruit of the words of this song down through the years since it was written and played?  Has many people have come under the power of these words and committed suicide thinking it is painless? The writer, who was a fourteen year old boy, did not know what he was doing. Words have power.
Pain surrounds suicide.
My husband was alerted to pray for a friend many years back.  He felt the spirit of suicide come into his car as he drove home.  He rebuked the spirit of suicide in Jesus name.  He prayed against the spirit of suicide having any influence over his friend.
We later learned that our friend had tried to committed suicide that night by walking into a river.
Next day Brendan went to see him.  He has just taken some Gramoxine, a weed killer.  A second time he attempted suicide.  His daddy was dying in hospital and he was distraught.  He was taken to A and E where all the alarm bells went off.  The doctors said he would be dead in nine days.
We alerted others to pray for him.  God heard our prayers and healed him totally without any side effects.  Praise God.
Instead of being passive be careful what you listen to.  Words have power for good or evil.
Brendan turned off the CD!

Writing does Indeed Help my Health.

Posted in Cancer, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Nature by

Thank you for this article about the benefits of blogging. I totally agree. Since I have started to write, thanks to WordPress, I have a sense of well being, satisfaction and enjoyment. I get encouraged from the response of other readers. I hear from friends in America and Canada that I would not hear from otherwise. There in power in words. When I get an idea the words flow.

In the past if I was troubled about some situation I would awake in the night. I got up and tried to express how I was feeling by sending an e mail to myself. That was safer than sending an e mail to the someone who annoyed me. After finishing the e mail I would feel more at peace and able to get back to sleep.

It is true that writing improves my mood and sense of well-being. I am less stressed, and sleep better. If I do awake early in the morning I get up and write as I am inspired. Since I moved to the country I enjoy nature and it has become a topic for my blogs.

Writing has helped my restoration after having cancer. Instead of pouring out all my bitterness and anger I now enjoy writing about the beauty all around me. My eyes are opened. I am looking up instead of down. God has delivered me from all the bitterness.

I have learned to cast my care upon The Lord and leave it with him. As I do this Jesus heals my pain. I now chose to forgive and not dwell on any hurt from the past. If I hold onto any resentment or unforgiveness it only harms me. I loose sleep and get depressed.

The internet access has been limited in the last months. If it was not on in the morning I would go into the local town where there is free access. I sit in my car and post a blog I had written the night before. Another time the internet came on at twelve o’clock at night. I posted a blog and immediately I got a response from a friend in America. I replyed. I had such joy that I could not settle to sleep. I had to write another blog.

Now instead of writing sad e mails I am inspired to write about many good experiences from the past. Another topic that has developed for me is my experience growing up on the farm. Memories come flooding back. Writing is indeed bringing restoration to me. Thank God through WordPress I am able to reach out to the nations!

I quote John Paul Jackson who says that something happens in the time between the mind and taking up a pen or the computer to write. A flow of creativity comes. Peace comes. We just need the discipline of being available to put the words down.

Through hearing from other bloggers I am revitalised by the experiences from young and old across the world. My neighbours are not just over the fence, they are across the oceans and mountains.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/11/19/what-do-exercise-veggies-and-writing-have-in-common/

My Oncologist Friend is Perplexed at my Healing from Cancer

Posted in Cancer, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Prayer by

While on our visit to Slovakia I had dinner with a friend who is an Oncologist.  She has many year’s experience.  I met her before in November 2010 after I believed I was healed of Bowel cancer.  It was early days then after my treatment.  I knew when I was telling people I was healed, many of them had an attitude,  “We will see.” 

When one has fourth stage cancer, which I had, the doctor gives treatment to extend one’s life whether surgery and/or treatment.  The cancer usually continues to grow and cause death.  The doctors will admit they do not have a cure for cancer.  They treat the condition. I know the seriousness of my diagnosis but I give Glory to God who has healed me. 

My daughter was helping me pack last weekend.  She found some notes I had from a doctor, the Consultant Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon who was writing to a colleague.  I will quote some of the letter.

“I explained to Mrs Mc Cauley that pre operative chemo radiotherapy was used as an adjunct to surgery rather than an alternative to surgery.  The current evidence would suggest less than 5% chance of healing from chemo and radiotherapy only.  It is unknown for such a good response to chemo radiotherapy.  Even if the tumour has fully responded to the chemo radiotherapy there may be viable cells within the lymph nodes.  If there is lymph node metastases then chemotherapy would be warrented to reduce the risk of disease.  I explained that surgery to remove the rectum was a major operation but there could still be groups of cancer cells.  Therefore a non operative approach could not be recommended.”

I explained to the doctor at the time, that I believe that God has healed me and he does not do part jobs.  He has done a complete healing for me with no matastases. 

Another consultant  wrote,”In my opinion, Mrs Mc Cauley should be strongly urged to proceed with the next stage of her treatment.”( surgery). Leaving the treatment at the chemo radiotheraphy
stage is not sufficient for her long term survival.”
“There is significant risk of damage to the bowel after chemo radiotherapy, colitis, discharge, inflammation and bleeding.”  

Praise God I had non of these side effects from the chemo radiotherapy.

I read this Psalm today.  

I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! 
Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. 
I saw only trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD : “Please, LORD, save me!”
The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.
He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling. And so I walk in the LORD’s presence as I live here on earth!
I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. (‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭1-4, 6, 8-9, 17‬ NLT)

I showed the Surgeon’s letter to my Oncologist friend.  Her mouth fell open.  ” I did not know that you had such a big tumour.”  It was nine centimetres.  She continued, “It is normal for there to be metastases  with such a big tumour.”  She was perplexed.  She was looking from her doctor’s point of view.  My friend had sympathy for the doctors who were treating me.  “They must have been very stressed with you, she added.  She was amazed that I did not have an operation for such a serious condition.  She  admitted,  “You look so well four years on.”  

I continue to tell people that God has done a miracle for me.  My Oncologist friend admitted this is a miracle.  

The Glory of God in Creation

Posted in Ireland, My thoughts, Nature by

imageI have been living in the country these last eight months.  I have the joy of seeing the clear night sky at times.  I can see the Milky Way, like a whisp of light across the sky.  The stars shine brightly, when there is no moon or clouds.  Last weekend the full moon rose in the east and circled high in the sky and set in the west in the morning.  It was very bright outside at night. The area where we live is called Bright.  I wonder why?

With the full moon comes high tides.  I went down to the local beach.  The water was still.  It rippled and lapped gently on the sand.  Another evening I could hear the roar of the sea as there was a strong wind blowing.  What a variety in nature all around me.  No day Is the same.   I am reading the bible of creation.

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, and what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.  Hebrews 11 v 3

We went out for dinner with our daughter recently.  She drove along carefully as it was dark, raining and windy. We ran for cover into the restaurant.  Half and hour later I stepped outside to take a phone call.  It had stopped raining and there was no wind.  On the way home later there was a clear sky.   I was able to show my daughter the stars.  It is true what they say about Ireland, “Wait a while and the weather will change.”

I have seen a few rainbows recently.  There are dark clouds with rain in one part of the sky, and the sun shining in another part.  An ideal situation for a bright rainbow.  The rainbow is a sign in the sky of God’s presence.  He put the rainbow in the sky for Noah, as a sign of his covenant that he would not flood the earth again.

Over and over God says in his Word He is the one who made the heavens and the seas.  As I am experiencing the changes in the heavens and the seas so close at hand, my heart overflows with praise to The Lord.  I believe in the God who made the heavens and the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (‭Psalm‬ ‭19‬:‭1-4‬ NIV)

Dare to believe in God.  It pleases God when we believe.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/trio-4/

I was under a Curse for not Honoring my Parents.

Posted in Family Friday, Healing, My thoughts, Prayer, Provision by

Honoring my Parents.

I thank God for my parents.  They laid down their lives to rear me and give me a good start in life.  I was not as loving and thankful for their care as I should have been when they were alive.  I realise  the work involved in raising children after rearing my own.  I did not honor them as I should have.  Being a parent is often a thankless task.  I feel honored if my children are thoughtful to me and thank me.  I understand how my parents must have felt when I did not get in touch.

My fourteenth child Angela was born.  I was faithful in looking after my husband and other children.  I was praying for more provision and space for our big family.   As my family increased, the house we lived in seemed to get smaller and smaller as my children grew.  I needed more space.  I believed God’s word where the children of Israel were given land according to the size of their tribe.  I had a big tribe and I was asking God for more room.  I applied to rent various bigger properties but no door opened.  There was no breakthrough so I became discouraged.

I had a strong desire to move to a bigger house, perhaps the country, so my children could enjoy the outdoors.  I grew up in the country side.  I used to play outside with my brothers and sisters and make up our own games.  Now in the winter time I got frustrated with everyone indoors in the bad weather.  The only space I had to myself was my own side of the bed.  I got cabin fever.  Brendan was very good.  We would go for drives to forests and beaches for long walks.  The children were able to run about and let off steam.  This eased the immediate pressure.

I believe the Holy Spirit guided me to read the Commandments in Exodus 20.
“Honor your father and your mother, so that it will be well with you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭12‬ NIV)

I left home when I was eighteen years old to go to university.  I got married when I was twenty.  I carried on with my life and did not thank or honor my parents.  I was busy looking at my own situation.  God showed me I was under a curse because I had not honored my parents.  It was not going well for me.   Yes I wanted to obey God and pray but I believe there was something wrong.  Was I to continue in hardship, feeling the frustration of limited space, because I had a big family.  I believed children were a blessing from The Lord and I needed his guidance and strength to rear them.

I needed someone to help me.  I read a book by Derek Prince called Blessings and Curses.  In it he explains how someone can be under a curse.  I read about John and Paula Sandford from America, who prayed for people in the area of family.  I rang up their offices in America to enquire if they were coming to the UK any time in the future.  Yes they had a conference in May of that year.  I booked my place at the event.  My husband came with me.

The first night of the conference John Sandford, who was an older man, spoke.  He sounded like my own father.  I broke down and cried.  I continued to cry while he spoke.  The curse was being broken and my healing started.  My parents were both dead at that time so I couldn’t go to them and apologise.  I asked Jesus to forgive me.  He forgave me and broke the curse I was under because of my disobedience to the word of God which says honor your mother and father.

The following year breakthrough came.  We moved to a bigger house with more space for all of us.   The pressure was released.  I had joy in knowing God cared for me.
This may seem strange to you.  You may not have heard of a curse before.  I share this story because this is what happened to me.  Perhaps it will help you.
Jesus breaks a curse and brings a cure.

Cartoon from Smokey Mountain Photos

Health Hazard. Danger of Cancer. Toxic Environment.

Posted in Cancer, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts by

Back in 2010 I was facing death.  I had fourth stage cancer.  I was faced with the reality that my life and influence on the earth would be over soon.  I had been offered the help of the doctors and their wisdom.  I was willing  and thankful to take their guidance.  They have dedicated their lives to relieve suffering of cancer patients and had many years experience in dealing with others who were vulnerable, like myself.

When I was suffering from Colon Cancer, I looked to the internet to give me more information about my condition and how other sufferers coped with cancer.  It is frightening the statistics quoted.   Cancer is the second killer disease in North America!  My prognosis wasn’t good.  Even with treatment from the medical profession alone I would die from the disease.

I read in the scriptures that God promises three score and ten years to live and more if we have strength.  Psalm 90 v 10
I began to research to see if there is a key to how people live long lives.  I found that people from around the world who are healthy and live long lives are happy, peaceful and thankful.  They think and speak positively.
I know from reading the Scripture,  “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬ NIV).   Is there a key here to a long life, the use of the tongue.

I began to reflect from my own experience what I observed in the use of the tongue.
I will give you an example.  Strong, angry words hurt others but also hurts the one who speaks.  He is speaking death.  Hurting words crush the weak.  No one wants to be around someone who is angry.  Speaking kind, loving words brings life.  The first nurse whom I encountered in the oncology hospital had a kind, gentle voice.  She comforted me and made me feel at ease, even though I was going to have a procedure that would show I had a 9 cm tumour in my rectum.  She was careful with the sick patients she would meet every day. I will always remember her and thanked God for her that sad morning.  She was speaking life.

When I visit Canada I stay with people who are welcoming, positive, helpful and bless.  They speak life into me.  The homes I have stayed in are warm and peaceful and give rest to the weary traveller.   I have come to see the importance of positive words.

It is easy to grow old in an atmosphere of love and peace where people speak kindly and are upbuilding.  The power of these kind of words brings life.  During the thirty years of Trouble in Northern Ireland the atmosphere was toxic and grey.  Anger and hatred in people’s hearts manifested in killings.  Television News brought reports of bombings, shootings and destruction.  Many people were killed during that time, but I believe many others died due to broken hearts, strokes, cancers and other diseases due to the stress of the continued war.  No peace.

I did more research.  People who are vulnerable to bad health live stressful lives.  Suffering stress, fear and anxiety causes our bodies to release toxins.  This leaves our body fluids acidic or toxic.  When one is healthy his body fluids are alkaline.  The immune system in a healthy, whole person works well to fight off infections.  In a person is under stress the immune system is weakened by the toxins in the body and disease can take a hold.  Cancer takes hold in a toxic environment inside the body.  “How can one avoid a toxic environment?”, I asked myself.

I began to think.  Was I speaking or thinking words of life?  Was I allowing toxic conditions in my body because of my words and actions.  Was my body not able to fight off disease.

More research. Have people been healed of cancer? I was encouraged to find testimonies from people who were healed by Jesus.  I believe that God heals today and I have prayed for others who have recovered from diseases, even cancer.  But it was more difficult to believe for myself.

I searched the bible to see if cancer is mentioned.  I discovered the following words.
Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer.   (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭14, 16-17‬). Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭23-24‬ NLT)

These words spoke to my heart and brought truth to me.  Is my argument contributing to my condition?  Is my strife causing me to have cancer.  My words and thoughts at that time were not positive and full of life.  I was negative and hopeless.  I didn’t care any more.

There is much opportunity today to gain knowledge through education and from the media especially the internet.  From this knowledge both men and women, young and old can have an opinion about everything that comes up in conversation.  Opinions may differ, sharp exchanges occur, then comes argument and fights.

I am known as a strong character.  I have knowledge and was not a bit afraid to offer my opinion in conversations.   My forceful behaviour alienated me from others.  My proud attitude made me unpopular.  I would argue my opinion and not defer to others.  This behaviour really annoyed my husband.  I became annoyed and bitter with others when they would not listen to me.  I was hurt by how others treated me.  I internalised my feelings.  I acted in ignorance.  I didn’t think anyone would listen to me anymore so I hid my condition for three years.

I felt lonely in the midst of my family.  I nurtured the hurt I felt from the rejection of others.  I tried to justify myself, instead of forgiving those who hurt me.  Holding onto thoughts of self righteousness, thinking I was right and others were wrong, made me loose sleep and made me depressed.  I was on a spiral down to death.

When I read from the scripture what it says about argument I did not want to continue behaving like I did.  I withdrew from difficult conversations and situations.  I became quiet.  In God’s eyes a quiet spirit is precious.

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬ NLT)

I believe my thoughts and words of bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment and anger from my heart contributed to my disease of cancer.  I was creating a toxic environment inside myself and outside myself.  I was not speaking life.  Life and death are in the power of my tongue.  Another scripture says do not let a root of bitterness grow up lest many become defiled.  Bitterness had taken hold.  I had a 9 cm tumour in my body.

These attitudes God calls sins.  Jesus came to forgive our sins and heal our diseases.  I accepted Jesus forgiveness and asked for his healing from the cancer in my body.

If You’re Irish Come Into The Parlour

Posted in Canada, Family Friday, Holiday, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations by

Here is a song I sang growing up.

If you’re Irish come into the parlour,
There’s a welcome there for you;
If your name is Timothy or Pat (or David)
So long as you come from Ireland,
There’s a welcome on the mat,
If You come from the Mountains of Mourne,
Or Killarney’s lakes so blue,
We’ll sing you a song and we’ll make a fuss,
Whoever you are you are one of us,
If you’re Irish, this is the place for you!

I am in Toronto to see Ava, my son David and Jacquelyn’s baby. I am staying at Jacquelyn’s parents home. I am enjoying the change of season here. I took a walk and took this picture.

image

David our son, was welcomed into the heart of Jacquelyn’s immediate and extended family. David has been fishing with Jacquelyn’s dad, brothers, uncles and and grand dad. They caught many fish and had a great time. He has been to hockey matches, plays tennis and soccer, been on a visit to Washington to see extended family, and sightseeing at the Niagara Falls.

Maureen, Jacquelyn’s mum spent all Sunday cooking dinner for friends who wanted to come over to meet me. It was Thanksgiving and Christmas all in the one day.
Maureen likes the windows open. I like a cool room too! She loves roast potatoes and Irish wheaten bread, which she bakes on the weekend. She had someone from Ireland she could share with. It was her mum’s recipe. Her mum grew up in Belfast.  We celebrated her mum. Her memory lives on.

Jacquelyn was particularly fond of her and misses her. Her baby is wearing a cardigan her granny knitted for her.

Maureen’s aunt called by the other day. She brought a beautiful Christening robe, an heirloom. Her sister had hand knitted it and gave her for her children. Now it was being given to Jacquelyn for Ava’s christening. She told us how she loves to make soda bread just like we get back in Ireland. She has here fridge full of it ready to give as a gift to anyone who calls or comes into her parlour.

I am being made to feel welcome and part of the family. I don’t have to cook, clean or shop. I am available for babysitting when Jacquelyn needs me. It’s not hard work nursing a warm, cuddly, baby girl. Oh the joy of being a grand mother. I don’t have to do the hard work of feeding, dressing and changing.
It is lovely to see my son caring, protecting and treasuring Jacquelyn and Ava. A whole new world for him.

When Brendan travelled to North America twenty years ago he was welcomed with open arms, celebrated, loved and accepted. A big shock to the system when back home in Northern Ireland there was war. The Irish were rejecting each other.

I went to England 35 years ago to have my own daughter. I was welcomed by the Irish community as a long lost relative. They were from Kerry and I was from Derry. But we were all Irish in another country.

The words of the song above are true. Brendan, David and myself have been welcomed into people’s parlours.

My First Time Babysitting Grandchildren

Posted in Family Friday, Ireland, My thoughts, Prayer by

I am still resting after rearing fourteen of my own children.  I have not rushed into the arena of looking after my grandchildren.  I know many peers that help out with their children’s children because both parents to go out to work.  

I called my son John yesterday.  He was getting ready to go to a wedding.  He sounded stressed.  I asked “Are you bringing the children with you?”  He has two boys under three.  Yes, he was bringing them.  What a nightmare?  I remembered many years ago when I brought my son that I was breastfeeding to a wedding.  I did not enjoy the day.  There was no one there who was sympathic to my situation.   I have found the attitude “You chose to have your children.  Tough on you get on with it.  You have a choice you know, not to have children, to save you all this work.”  Out of compassion for he and his wife I offered to babysit for a few hours until another relative would baby sit them in the evening.

I ventured to say “Put them to bed for their afternoon sleep before I arrive.”  I was hoping the boys would sleep most of the time I was there.  I arrived to see Rachel looking beautiful and glamourous.  She winked at me as they drove off for the day.  My son and his wife could have a day away from the children to enjoy a meal and relax with friends.

I made myself comfortable to do some work on my iPad.  Fifteen minutes later I heard  one of the boys crying.  I left him for a minute or two, hoping he would go over to sleep again.  But no, Daniel needed attention.  His mum told me he likes a bottle of milk when he awakes.  I prepared the milk and then picked him up from his cot.
He continued to cry even though I tried to comfort him.  He drank some of the milk but went back to crying.  I did not want to ring his parents and tell them their baby was crying.  I nursed him and prayed over him.  With his little arms he tried to push my hands away as I held him.  How come a one year old had such strong arms?  If any neighbour heard him crying they may have called the child help line to report a crying child.

After ten minutes little Daniel adjusted to his mum not being there and stopped crying.  He and I became great pals for the afternoon.  He isn’t walking yet but can stand up holding onto the furniture.  He crawled about the floor and played happily with blocks and looked at toy books.  

I needed to put some logs on the fire.   While I was doing that Daniel wondered off down the corridor.  When I looked for him he was in the bathroom.  He was standing up beside the toilet bowl dipping his hand in and sucking on his fingers.  Agharrrrr.   I don’t know if the toilet had been flushed.

I didn’t panic.  I have reared fourteen of my own children and no disaster is going to befall my grandchild that I will not be able to cope with.  I trust God’s promise.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; (‭Psalm‬ ‭91‬:‭9-11‬ NIV)

I did not rush him to the Local Accident and Emergency.  I washed his hands and mouth and carried on with our day. So keep the toilet door closed if you are baby sitting.
Daniel was none the worse for his day with me.   I was not reported to Childline and I did not have to go to the A and E.  His mum and dad had a great day out.