Tag Archive for: family

The Missing Number Five

It’s always a joy visiting my mum on a Saturday morning.

Towards the end of my visit yesterday, I noticed a long pouch sitting on the chair.

“What’s in there?” I asked.

“It’s full of knitting needles,” she said.

Looking inside there were long ones, short ones, thick ones, thin ones, grey ones, yellow ones, red-topped ones, and a few that looked much older than mum!

Each one had a number on it and so I asked, “What do the numbers mean?”

Mum then gave me a detailed explanation of needle sizes, wool thickness, patterns and what she was currently knitting. I nodded, with the face of a man who understood almost none of it!

Then she said, “I’ve been through the whole pouch and can’t find a number 5. I’m sure there’s one in there.”

So, off I went hunting through the pouch.

A few seconds later, there it was, a number 5.

“How did you find that?” she said. We laughed. Then we laughed some more.

I suspect my knitting career may have peaked.

But there was something lovely in that little moment.

To me, the pouch looked like a cheerful jumble of metal sticks, plastic ends, mysterious numbers and woolly possibilities.

To Mum, it made perfect sense.

Each needle had a number.
Each number had a purpose.
Each purpose fitted a pattern.

The lesson

It reminded me of Paul’s words:

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.”
— Ephesians 2:21

The Lord does not see us as a random bundle of personalities, gifts, quirks and weaknesses. He sees where we fit. He knows what we can become. He understands the pattern even when we only see the pouch.

I found the number 5 and mum knew exactly what it was for.

Perhaps that is enough of a lesson for one Saturday morning.

Sometimes the Lord does not ask us to understand the whole design. Rather, He simply asks us to help find what is missing, laugh with someone we love, and trust that He knows what He is making.

Where in your life are you seeing only a jumble, when the Lord may already be forming a pattern?

The Loom of Time

This morning I came across the beautiful poem 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆, which describes our lives as threads woven together into a pattern we do not always see.
Looking at this recent photo of my Mum, Monic, and our wee grandson Oscar, I was reminded how true that is.
I believe God has a design for each of our lives, even though we may not understand it fully right now.
I know that across the years, the threads of love and faith continue to be woven together in our family from one generation to the next.
I’m especially grateful today for my Mum and Monic – two incredible women – and for the beautiful threads they have woven into our family’s story…
Man’s life is laid in 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
To a pattern he does not see,
While the weavers work and the shuttles fly
Till the dawn of eternity.
Some shuttles are filled with silver threads
And some with threads of gold,
While often but the darker hues
Are all that they may hold.
But the weaver watches with skillful eye
each shuttle fly to and fro,
And sees the pattern so deftly wrought
As the loom moves sure and slow.
God surely planned the pattern:
Each thread, the dark and fair,
Is chosen by His master skill
And placed in the web with care.
He only knows its beauty,
And guides the shuttles which hold
The threads so unattractive,
As well as the threads of gold.
Not till each loom is silent,
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God reveal the pattern
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads were as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
For the pattern which He planned.
𝓗𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓜𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓓𝓪𝔂

One Step at a Time

On a New Years Day trip to Glasgow, we enjoyed taking our grandson out for a while.
It was a chilly one, but we all got dressed as warmly as we could.
We headed towards the park and had some fun there.
At one point, he walked towards the steps and Monic said “just let him go, he loves steps.”
And off he went.
He has only been walking a few weeks, so I watched with interest how he’d master 4 flights of stairs.

Stepping Up

Step by step, he’d pull himself up, one by one.
He was frequently distracted by small pebbles, and he’d stop and try and pick one up, but with his winter gloves on that proved tricky for him.
I was behind him the whole time, to support and steady him on his big adventure, ready to step in if needed.
And every now and again, he looked around just to make sure that I was there.
Making it to the top seemed to me that it was a long way for him to go.
It proved to be a little too much and I helped him complete his journey in his time of need.

Help on Hand

Reflecting this morning, I am so grateful for all who have been there for me in my time of need.
Sometimes as we set out on life’s big adventure, unexpected challenges, difficulties and distractions can arise that can test us in many ways, temporally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Adversity is often the refining fire that can strengthen us in so many ways, including our faith.
Rarely by removing the challenge, but by reminding us that we are not alone in it.
Looking back, I can see how often help has come at just the right moment for me.
Through family. Through friends. Through quiet acts of kindness and timely reassurance.
And, at times, through the unseen watchful care of a loving Heavenly Father.
“I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders… that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.” – Mosiah 24:14
As a new year begins, I’m grateful not just for the journeys we are invited to take, but for the help we are given along the way.
I am thankful too for the gentle reminder that when the climb becomes too much, there is always Someone close by, ready to steady us and help us home.
Who has helped steady you along the way?

A Divine Seating Plan

As we entered Kyle and Emily’s wedding celebration last Monday, the very first thing that caught everyone’s eye in the function room, was the seating plan.
It was simply divine.
It was framed with fun photos and carefully arranged names. (Talking of photos, I’m sure there will be more soon!)
It was clear too, that they had given a lot of thought to where every guest would sit.
At every table, we found our names on an individual place card.
There was no guesswork, no confusion and no one was left out.
Each person had a place prepared for them, including Oscar in his wee highchair.

God’s Seating Plan

It reminded me of a simple gospel truth, that our Heavenly Father has a “seating plan” for each of us.
He knows us individually, loves us personally, and has a divine seating arrangement for each of us in our families, communities, and circumstances, in order to help us grow.
Nothing is random to Him.
The longer I live, the more sure I know, that God is at the helm.
Just as Kyle and Emily thoughtfully arranged their guests so everyone would feel comfortable and included, similarly, God lovingly prepares opportunities and circumstances where we can grow into who He knows we can become.
Sometimes we may wish we were at a different “table,” or sitting with different people, but it has been my experience that over time, as we trust in Him, we begin to see His wisdom and love.
Jesus Christ taught His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
The ultimate promise is that each of us has a place in His kingdom, lovingly prepared and reserved, just like Kyle and Emily had done for each guest at their wedding.
Where is God inviting you to sit right now, and what do you think He might want you to learn there?

Full Hearts

We’ve had the sweetest few days with some of our returned missionaries visiting us here in Scotland.
A surprise visit at church on Sunday from Pedro Jalo and his family was a real joy!
There’s just something special about picking up right where you left off, swapping stories, laughing over old memories, and making new ones.
Monday was busy with a trip to the Wallace Monument, followed by a picnic in Dollar, and then a walk up to Castle Campbell through the Glen.
Afterwards we topped it off with a short visit to Culross and dinner at the Red Lion.
Our hearts are full.
There’s just nothing quite like time shared with dear ones who are, in every way that matters, our family.

The Oscar Shift

On Saturday, Monic and I headed to Glasgow bright and early for a very special first: our first all-day grandparent babysitting assignment – a full 12 hours!
A whole day with Oscar, something we’d both been looking forward to with excitement (and maybe a touch of nervous anticipation too).
From the moment we stepped through the door, it was full-on Oscar time.
Playing, singing, reading, pushing him in his pram, feeding him (yoghurt was a clear favourite), changing nappies, carrying him around, and watching him explore the world from the speed and freedom of his walker.
He’s not crawling or walking yet, but that didn’t stop him from finding his way into every corner of every room.
Somehow the cat litter tin storage box was his favourite thing to get into!
There must have been something about the lid and the noise it made every time he dropped it on the floor…😁
He was in great spirits all day, smiling constantly, curious about everything.
That said, we really enjoyed the short reprieves during each nap time to catch our breath. 😴
By the time we returned home, we were surprised at just how tired we felt – exhausted!
I was deadbeat.

Life Lessons

After reflecting, we realised it wasn’t simply the physical busyness, rather, it was the constant alertness.
We were on guard the entire day, watching for hazards, anticipating needs, and making sure every moment, he was safe and happy.
It’s the kind of attention that takes energy.
And it got me thinking, that this is true far beyond babysitting.
In family life, leadership, coaching, mentoring, or any relationship where we care deeply, real commitment isn’t passive.
It’s active.
It means staying engaged, noticing small signals, and anticipating the next step before it becomes a crisis.
Being “on guard” isn’t about fear, it’s much more about caring, being ready, and fully present.
Where in your life right now would greater alertness make the biggest difference?

Generations Rolling On

We had a lovely visit on Sunday from Megan and our grandson Oscar.
It was the first time I’d pushed a pram since our own kids were that age, more than twenty+ years ago!
I was a little rusty on the corners, but Oscar didn’t seem to mind… he spent most of the walk trying to eat the harness strap! 😅
He kept up a steady stream of gooing and gurgles all along the way, clearly he had a lot on his mind…!
We all responded in kind, of course – it was some serious baby banter!
We had quite the conversation… no one else could understand it, but it seemed very meaningful to all of us. 😆
The pram itself?
Let’s just say things have moved on a bit since our day.
Megan said choosing it felt like test-driving a car, with a showroom tour and all.
Suspension, sun visors, turning radius, cup holders, storage compartments etc
I was half-expecting it to come with heated handles, cruise control, and some kind of voice-activated nursery rhymes with flashing lights!
There’s something very special and heartwarming about these full-circle moments… doing the same thing, but in a different season of our life, with new hands holding ours.
And yes, Oscar also tried on Grandad’s hat… and somehow he made it look cooler than I ever did.
What’s something you’ve done again recently after decades — and how did it go?

Haste Ye Back

Over the past few days, our home has been full with visitors.
Last Wednesday and Thursday, we had the absolute joy of hosting seven of our returned missionaries from the Belgium Netherlands Mission.
Adam, Alex, Logan, Landon, Luk, Sam and Trent, came to visit not just as guests but as part of our mission family.
On Wednesday, we walked the paths of Dunfermline, fed squirrels in the park, met the peacocks (thank you Tina and Alex), and learned a lot about Andrew Carnegie.
But the real joy wasn’t just in what we saw, it was more about just being together again.
On Thursday, we explored Edinburgh.
We climbed Arthur’s Seat, walked the Royal Mile, visited St. Giles Cathedral, and learned about the Order of the Thistle.
We laughed over lunch, soaked in the sights from the Castle, wandered through the Grassmarket, and ended the day the way any proper visit should: with fish and chips and a deep-fried Mars bar!
But here’s the thing that’s been on my mind most since they left: missionary service might have an official end date, but the bonds created will never end.
“Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20

Service

As we walked side by side through cobbled streets, it hit me, that our friendships were built on faith, service, and sacrifice.
They were forged in the quiet moments of testimony, in praying together, in days sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving others.
They left for home on Friday, to their studies, summer jobs and families, yet I want to witness that the spirit they carried as missionaries still shines through.
Their name tags may be gone, but who they became as missionaries hasn’t faded.

Connections

Having them here reminded me that the impact of missionary work isn’t just about the service they rendered in Belgium and the Netherlands, it’s about the deep, lasting connections formed along the way.
As we laughed and reminisced, not as missionaries with schedules, but simply as members of our extended family, we rediscovered a deeper, powerful connection.
One rooted in shared purpose, made richer by our unhurried time, of just being together.
Their footsteps echo with us now, not just in the places we visited, but in our hearts.
And for that, Monic and I are so grateful.
Who in your life has left spiritual footprints you still feel today?

Fellowships

Throughout my life I have enjoyed a whole range of different fellowships.
I simply love the word.
It is associated with so many other “F” words.
The foundational meaning of the word is friendship.
In many ways our family is the first fellowship, where we experience life, a sense of belonging, where we learn to serve, lift, help and strengthen one another.
A family of fellowship provides the foundation for relationships built on love, trust, mutual understanding and respect.
It has been my experience that when families prioritise faith, forgiveness, and fortitude, they create strong fellowships within their homes.
Faith can also unite people in a spiritual or religious community.
For instance, after our church meetings on Sunday, our congregation enjoyed a warm fellowship at a munch and mingle together.

Fraternity

Fellowship also suggests a fraternity, where a deep bond of brotherhood or sisterhood can emerge.
Recently I became a Fellow of the Association for Coaching.
It is made up of a group of followers who share a common path.
I’ve discovered, that at the very core of the association, there is a fraternity of a close-knit group of individuals who support, challenge, and uplift one another – its great!
Fellowship and fraternity go hand in hand.
Last week I was in a deep conversation with another fellow of the association discussing how to build lasting connections and shape the lives of the rising generation of new coaches.
In a strong fellowship, where we have a focus on something, everyone has a role to play, whether in service, leadership, teaching, or simply offering encouragement.
And when that fellowship is strong, it builds a sense of community and people begin to flourish.
Flourishing is more than just a state of well-being, it’s about thriving, growing, firing up our faith, and reaching our full potential.
As each member flourishes the entire fellowship benefits.
My experience of fellowships is that they are also places that provide freedom to grow.
They are the foundation of friendships, families, and faith communities, that lift, strengthen, and inspire us to become our best selves.
What fellowships are shaping your life today?

Echoes of Dad’s Love

And just like that…
In the blink of an eye…
It’s been twenty years, since his passing on 16th January 2005.
Yesterday, we gathered to honour the memory of our dad.
“Giant Jacky” – as he was fondly known.
Mum is moving a little slower, her eyesight a little dimmer, but nevertheless, the matriarch of our clan, stoically presses forward, loved by so many.
The memories shared once more were special.
At the graveside, Paul shared about why the burial plot was secured in earshot of the railway line.
Mum even shared a new story about a poem dad had written for her, that she found after he’d passed to the other side of the veil.
It was a sweet recollection of his poetry prowess.
We miss him.
Many miss him.
Being together.
Laughing together.
Storytelling together.
Eating together.
His legacy of love, humour, and faith lives on through each of us.
As we reminisced, we were reminded that the influence of a great father never truly fades.
Do you have a special memory perhaps of “Jacky”.
If you knew him, we’d love to hear your story about him.
Please share, it would be lovely to hear it…

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