The Prodigal Daughter Returns

 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 2 Peter 3: 8 ---- The Bible tells us one day in Heaven is the equivalent of a thousand earth years. In earth terms, mum passed away 9 years this year.  But in Heaven, she's only been there for 0.009 years, which is nothing. If I were to live on earth for 1,000 years, it means mum and I would only have been apart for 1 day.  It just shows that time has no power to separate us from our loved ones. ♥️

In the realm of time, today would have been your birthday. In your current reality, you are timeless. Thinking of you, Isa. Thank you for playing the role of my earthly mum so well. Love you forever. ❤️

So I planned to do the household chores after work, but I wasn't looking forward to it as I was feeling tired. I reminded myself that I didn't have to do the cleaning myself, I could ask God to do it. While I was travelling on the bus home, I thanked God for doing the cleaning. Of course, when I got home, the cleaning wasn't done, but when I actually did it, the task was effortless as I was drawing on God's inexhaustible energy. I was even in good spirits. I have noticed when I don't ask for God's help, I find cleaning a real chore and such hard work that it leaves me exhausted. Thank you, God, for doing everything! ❤️

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."  Psalm 139: 14  ---- At the Year 3 classes (aged 7 to 8) I was working in, the teachers asked me to read with the kids individually. Each of them brought a book of their choice and they read a few pages. I then made a note of the book they had read and commented about their reading. Before they started reading, I asked them why they had chosen that book and it was because they loved that genre which included mythical, adventure, mystery, fable and even football. I believe the kids' varied book choices demonstrate how God has given us unique personalities, which influence us to love what we love.   I love how the kids are not only encouraged to read, but to explore the genres they love.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you, God, for giving me my unique personality in Christ. ❤️

I usually wake up every morning around 5am like clockwork. If it's the weekend and I'm not working, I go back to sleep till around 7am. When I'm working on set and it's an early call time, I usually ask the Holy Spirit to wake me up even earlier. Our clocks went forward early this morning, but I still woke up at 5am, which was technically 4am. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for always waking me up at 5am unless I request otherwise.❤️

After church, I walked my friend to the local tube station. I then stopped at a local pub to have a late lunch - sausage roll and chips.  It's the best sausage roll I've ever had, served with mushroom sauce. This pub has a really lovely ambience.  I relaxed on their leather sofa and read my book on my phone. Thank you, God, for simple pleasures and for keeping me company..❤️

" God has spoken once, t wice I have heard this:  That power   belongs   to God." Psalm 62: 12 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5: 22-23 ---- During my bus journey, this man got on and sat beside me. His jacket stank of cigarette smoke. The smell was so pungent, I could feel a burning sensation in my throat.  I didn't want to sit beside him. I was hoping he wasn't travelling all the way to the last stop. I  had a thought to bless him instead. I asked God to bless him with love. I also blessed all the passengers with love. He then took his jacket off, which took away the strong cigarette smell, though there was still a whiff of it on his clothes. I then had another thought. Why am I giving cigarette all that power? It has no power over me. The moment I had the thought, some passengers in front got off and my friend beside me swa

I worked at my first ever Jewish school.   When my agency asked me if I was available to do that job, she told me that I would be required to wear a skirt and a top that hides my shoulders. As it's been ages since I wore a skirt,  I was thinking, "Skirt, what is that?" 😀 The class was a bit chaotic as  their permanent teaching assistant has been off sick and the kids were not used to having someone new in their class.  At first, a few of them refused to follow my instructions. I managed to win them over with God's help.    I enjoyed listening to the kids and their teacher singing Hebrew songs. At one point, one boy said to me, "Miss, are you a boy?" I believe he was baffled by my cropped hair. "No, I am a girl," I said. "Girls can have short hair too." "My nan has short hair," a girl sitting beside the boy said. Whether I am working in a religious or secular primary school, k ids will always be kids! 😀❤️

" Behold,   children   are   a heritage from the   Lord.  The fruit of the womb   is   a   reward." Psalm 127: 3 "Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know  Him thus  no longer.   Therefore, if anyone  is  in Christ,  he is  a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5: 15-17 ---- At the staff room, several teaching staff were discussing how they felt to be their age. One in her thirties talked about missing being younger. One in her forties said she now felt different compared to when she was in her thirties. I told them I can't remember what it was like being in my thirties. One of them asked me how old I was and I said I was in my fifties. She stared at me and said, "Black don't crack!" I thought it was funny coming from a white colleague and we both laughed. She said I was lucky to look so young.

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.   Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14-16 ---- When I mentioned to a colleague at school that I also work on TV and films, she said "No Wonder you look so sophisticated. You have a shine about you." "My shine has nothing to do with working on set," I said. "God is the one who makes me shine." As a believer, she got where I was coming from. A while back, when I had a meeting at this government office, I noticed a security guard was shining. On the way out, I walked over to him and said, "Hello, man of God!" "How do you know?" He said. "Because you are shining." He told me while he was standing on guard, he

Today, this little girl in the Reception class I was working in said to me, "Miss, your head is empty!" I knew exactly what she meant. "Yes, I have short hair," I smiled at her. When I first had all of my hair chopped off over 30 years ago, people kept asking me why I had cropped hair. This is the first time I've been told I have a empty head. 😀 I hope I inspire that little girl to accept that a woman can have a empty head and still be beautiful. ❤️ Photo of Zozibini Tunzi former Miss Universe o f 2019 courtesy of Google Images

"Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." Psalm 34: 3 ---- While the teacher was teaching, she suddenly stopped and said to me, "Miss, are you scared of spiders?" "No." She pointed at the floor indicating there was a spider there. I asked her to point exactly where the spider was as I couldn't see it. She pointed to the area. I went to pick up the spider, but it moved. I tried again, but it was having none of it and it ran away. I assured the teacher that the spider had gone and she would be fine. I find it interesting how the teacher was able to spot that tiny spider. I needed a microscope to see it. 😊 I believe that's what fear does, it magnifies what you are afraid of in your experience. I choose to focus instead on the love of Jesus Christ, which casts out fear.❤️

Today I worked at a school I worked at a month ago.  Before I went, I thanked God for His Grace and Favour. The class teacher was very happy to see me as we worked well the last time I was there.  She told me as her assistant has been off for a few days, they've had different supply assistants. She said the kids have been feeling unsettled because of all the changes. The day went well and the kids were very well behaved.  At least they listened to me. The other class kids I was supervising in the playground were also very good. At the end of the day, the class teacher told her kids how happy she was with them today for being so well behaved. I also commended this boy who had been very kind and considerate to other kids in the playground. "Really?" the teacher said. "He's not usually like that." God's Grace brings out the best in people. Thank you, God! ❤️

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15: 5 "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2: 9-11 ---- I was lying in bed when suddenly I felt my calf seizing up with a cramp, which I haven't had in ages. At first, I said no to the cramp, but the pain only got worse. I then said "Jesus is my life and He is flowing through my leg now." I then kept calling on the name of Jesus until the pain dissolved and I was able to relax my leg. Thank you, Jesus, for being my pain killer. ❤️

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." John 1: 4 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10: 10 "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11: 25-26 ---- My mum used to have this friend who I used to call Ms Obituary because every time she called mum it was to share the death of another friend or associate. I'm no longer in contact with her.  If she's stiill alive, she's probably still attending funerals. Before my mum passed, I avoided funerals. I  didn't know anyone close who had passed. Since then I have attended over 10 funerals. Over the last three months, I've heard of 9 people who have passed. Some have been relatives and others are relatives of friends.  I was even feeli

At the bus stop, I noticed this woman using a vape. I thought how interesting it is that people give up cigarettes and replace them with vapes. At least she was considerate and didn't vape around me. As a staunch antismoker, I can't stand any form of smoking around me.  When the bus I was waiting for arrived, I went upstairs and sat rightt in front. A few seconds later, my vaping friend came and sat beside me. During the journey, my friend started coughing. I thought maybe it's because of all that vaping she does. I silently blessed her. When a seat became available on the other side, I expected her to move, but she stayed put. As she kept coughing  I felt compassion for her and touched her arm in sympathy. "Aww, poor you!" I said. She smiled, typed something on her phone and showed me. The translator read that she had a cold. "I hope you feel better," I said. Before she got off, she said thank you! Thank you, Lord, for showing me how to love my vaping n

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." 1 John 4: 18 ---- On the bus, I noticed this woman using a disinfectant bottle to press the  bell.  A few hours later, while I was travelling on another bus, I noticed this woman with a buggy waiting at a pedestrian crossing. The toddler in the buggy wanted to press the button. The woman pushed the buggy close to the button so the baby could reach it. The baby kept pressing the button until the traffic lights changed and they crossed over. I found it interesting how the woman on the bus had used a disinfectant bottle to press the bell, while the baby at the pedestrian crossing had fearlessly pressed the button. I guess the kid has not yet been educated about germs. 😊 I reckon all that baby knows is love is everywhere.❤️

On the way to church, I was thinking about how most primary school teachers and their assistants are women. I thought they should be celebrated too on Mother's Day as they not only teach their pupils academic stuff, but how to function in society. In the visiting church Reverend's sermon, he also mentioned how there are different types of mothers, not just biological. He also cited a case about this woman whose son had SEN (special educational needs) and had to be nurtured by professionals as she couldn't do it. After the service, I spoke to the Reverend and told him.I could relate to his sermon.as I have worked with SEN kids and nurture young kids at school. Happy Mother's Day to all professionals who care and nurture kids, whether they are actual mums or not! ❤️

I've been meaning to attend Wesley's Chapel for ages. It  is the Mother Church of Methodism. As my brother and I are going to visit my cousins, who recently lost their mum, I thought I would attend this church today instead, which is closer. It's very traditional. Here are so6me photos of the interior of the Chapel. ❤️ https://www.wesleyschapel.org.uk/

At the bus stop, I noticed a couple looking at the bus map and trying to figure out where to catch a bus to their destination.  I asked them where they were headed and they told me. I then told them the bus they should catch. I also pointed to a road around the corner where they can catch their bus. The couple were very grateful. Thank you, God, for giving me the knowledge of London bus routes so I can help passengers find their way. Thank you for blessing me so I can be a blessing to others. ❤️

Today is Mother's Day in the UK.  Of course, not all of us have our earthly mothers here with us. In fact, after church, my brother and I are going to visit our cousins who have just lost their mum. Happy Mother's Day to all earthly mothers and all mothers in Heaven. We love you all! ❤️ Photo courtesy of Google Images

 By the time I got on the bus, it was so full, there were no seats available or so it would seem. I asked this guy standing on the stairs if there were any seats upstairs. He said no. I decided to stand right at the back on the lower level. I  had to ask passengers to let me through. When I got to the back, there was a seat that had this guy's rucksack on it. I asked him if he could move it so I could sit down. He was happy to oblige. While the bus was moving, my attention was drawn to a new building with the neon sign: "We are making space for you." How apt! Thank you, God, for reserving the last seat on the bus for me. ❤️

At the bus stop, I noticed this woman carrying a puppy. "Hi cutey!"  I stroked the puppy's head and it licked the back of my hand. There's nothing sweeter than a puppy licking your hand! ❤️

"All your children  shall be  taught by the Lord and great  shall be  the peace of your children.," Isaiah 54: 13 ---- There's not a single day when the Holy Spirit is not teaching me about Jesus, which I always find backed up in the Bible. Thank you, God, for being my Teacher. ❤️

 "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.  Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve," Matthew 20: 25-28 ---- While I was supervising kids in the playground during their lunch break, this boy ran up to me.  "Miss, I'm the boss, but he won't  let me play with them," he pointed to the boy with him and his other classmates. "What do you mean by boss?" I said "I started this game, which makes me the boss," he said. "No one is the boss of anyone here. You are all here to share and play together " I said. "But, Miss?" "Off you go and play. And be kind to each other." Later in the Year 4 class I was working in (with kids aged 8 to 9l, one of the brighte

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day  is  its own trouble." Matthew 6: 34 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what  is  that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12: 2 ----- I believe God's Word in the Bible applies for all time. However, because we are constantly being bombarded by false beliefs, it's important for us to renew our minds daily by meditating on the Word. It's rather like needing to have a bath, shower or wash everyday to remove dirt from the previous day. Every day comes with its own challenges, but God is always present. I simply need to remember to bathe in His  Presence every day. ❤️.

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4: 6 ---- Because the teachers are on strike today and tomorrow, I was resigned to the idea that I will be off for those two days. So when my agency called me this morning to ask if I could cover this class, I really wasn't in the right frame of mind. I decided to do the job as it was a Church of England school I've worked at before. I even arrived on time. On the way to the bus stop,   I thankef God for blessing the pupils, their parents, teaching staff, the school and the entire education system and to make me a blessing to everyone I meet and work with. The buses were really empty as there were hardly any school kids on board. When I got off the bus and was walking to the school, the roads were eerily empty like it was at lockdown. The boy I was working with was very receptive and engaged with the class. He usually likes doing his own thing. He also did some really good work, which th

"A nd my God  shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4: 19 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,  with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." James 1: 17 ----- On the bus, I could hear this teenage boy sitting at the back chatting on his phone. He sounded like he was talking to his mum or dad. He was telling them that he needed money to add to his bus pass. He said he needed a Pound, but it seems whoever he was speaking to was not convinced. If I had the money in my purse, I would have given it to him, but I don't tend to carry cash in my purse. I probably have about 50 pence in there now. The boy's conversation got me thinking of God. Those of us who were brought up in Christian homes were taught at Sunday School that God is our Father and He is the Creator, but I don't remember ever seeing God as the Source of all good things includi

So I was working at this class,  where the kids are aged between 5 and 6. There was this girl who I found rude. So I told her to say "please" next time and reminded her that in this school we are kind to each other. Later, while the kids were getting ready to go home, the same girl came over to me and said, "Miss, I have just helped X, but he hasn't used his manners!" I went to the boy she was referring to and asked him to say "thank you" to her, which he did bashfully. I do find it interesting how the girl sees manners as something that can be used. I guess she was thinking, if Miss expects her to use her manners, she expects others to use theirs too. 😀

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4: 6 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 22: 3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Ephesians 1: 3 "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience." Hebrews 4: 11 ---- So I went to this museum to use their reading room. I was also hoping to see a friend who works there in security, as I haven't seen her in a while. As soon as I entered tjhe building, I noticed my friend standing next to the disabled lift. People who have kids in buggies also use that lift.  After my friend and I exchanged hugs, she told me the lift door wasn't working properly and she couldn't open the door. Immediately,  I thought, "God, please fix the lift. T

After church, I went for a walk with my friend, who recently lost her sister and dad on the same day. We were at the Park at the right time to see these Scots playing their bagpipes.  I fed this pigeon some peanuts. I loved how it sat on my hand and ate off my hand. I also fed this squirrel. It had such cute hands. It was the kind of distraction that my friend needed.❤️

I've been meaning to swap my old Oyster Card for a new one, but I didn't want to pay for a new one. Today instead of renewing my bus pass at the local shop,  I was inspired to walk to the tube station. I asked a member of staff if it was possible to swap my card for a new one and he said yes. I didn't have to pay either. He said my previous Oyster card was 1st generation, which is over 10 years old.  I told him I have tried to register my card online, but I couldn't do it. I reckon the computer couldn't recognise it as it was too old school. 😊 I now have a new generation Oyster Card. Yes! 👍😀

Zephaniah 3: 17, NKJV "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet  you  with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

I had this dream last year on 22.7.2022. ----- I had a dream where someone asked me to help someone with mental illness. I simply held his hand and thought "God Loves you." He said to me God loves me. He them calmed down and he was cured Later God told me that's what he wants me to do where I am - love others through Him. ❤️

 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." Hebrews 11: 1, 3 "So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8: 8 "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8: 11 ---- When I finished working at this school, I noticed I was getting a sore throat and feeling like I was getting a cold. I reminded myself that I am whole in Christ. In the middle of the night, I woke up with the sore throat again and prayed. I then went back to sleep When I woke up in the morning although I wasn't experiencing any more sore throat, I still didn't feel well. I texted my agency to tell them that I was taking the day

 I did my first Year 6 today.  The age group in this class is from 10 to 11, before they go off to secondary school. The teaxher told me they don't usually have teaching assistants in that class, but they have some kids in the class who don't speak much English, so I was asked to support them. In the maths class, they were taught conversion from miles to kilometres. I was thinking, who needs to learn conversion when you have Google? The supply teacher I was working with was very old school, a real kindred spirit. She cared more about the solution than the actual method used to arrive at the solution, but the kids expected her to do things the modern way. 😀 My favourite part of the day was Religious Education where the kids were taught about forgiveness as represented in Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son.  The teacher got the kids to role play the story. I was asked to work with three groups. In each group, I was given a cameo role. 😀 I am really enjoying working at this

While I was sitting in class next to this boy I was working with, I accidentally hit my knee against the edge of desk and it was very painful. I immediately started thanking God in my thoughts. In a few seconds, the pain was dissolved. Later on, I banged the same knee on the edge of the desk. Again, I dissolved the pain again by thanking God. Thank you, God! ❤️

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;" Deutoronomy 30: 19] "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24: 15 "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3: 11 "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17: 20-21 ---- The Bible tells us God has put eternity in our hearts, therefore, all realities must exist in the present. We then have to choose which one to experience.  Here's an example of how it works. Early this morning, I received a

 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12: 11 I am covered by the Blood of Jesus. ❤️

Reminders to self about restoration: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul." Psalm 23: 1-3 "But this is a people robbed and plundered; All of them are snared in holes,And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one says, “Restore!”" Isaiah 42: 22 "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord." Jeremiah 30: 17 "I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick." Ezekiel 34: 16 "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm…. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed." Joel 2:25,26 "for the

I've just experienced something wonderful. 😊 A few weeks ago, I lost the back of an earring.  Fortunately, I had spares that I could use from other earrings. Since then, I have hoovered the bedroom carpet twice. This morning I spotted something shiny on the bedroom carpet. When I picked it up, I realised it was the missing back of the earring. Thank you, God, for giving me back the back of my earring. ❤️ A photo of the back of the earring.

 "Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9: 23-24 "For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar." Romans 3: 3-4 ---- I've been thinking of putting some elastic around the waist of these particular trousers. I asked a friend if she knew where I could get some and she suggested a haberdashery, but I don't know any close to where I live. On the way home, I popped into the local chemist and asked if they sold elastic bands. The assistant pointed to elastic hairbands. I told him I wanted it to for my trousers. He said they didn't stock those. I was inspired to try the ironmongers next door, but I thought nah, expecting them to sell elastic is a bit of a stretch. 😀 Today, I was in the area again

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16: 11 ---- Usually, when I get on the bus and if it's a long journey, I like sitting upstairs right in front. If it's the New Routemaster bus (see photo), I like to sit upstairs either right in front or right at the back. When I got on the New Routemaster bus, I saw someone was already sitting at the back, but the seats in front were vacant so I sat on the window seat on the left. A man got on and sat on the opposite window seat on the right. I then heard some people getting up the stairs and sat behind me. They were chatting in a European language. That's all I need, people chatting behind me! A woman came and sat next to me. She smiled and said hello. "Hello!" I said. "You look happy!" "I'm a tourist" she smiled. "Ha, no wonder!" I chuckled. It was then I realised she was part of the g