Thought for the Week – 1 November 2026

I knew I was going to be busy this past week, so I started prep-ping for today’s sermon two weeks ago. Life sent a “curve ball” and I was unexpectedly busy that first week as well. And then on Thursday of that first week, Brent asked if I could write the Thought for the Week to go with my sermon. “Sorry, No. I haven’t got time. I still have a sermon to sort. I would be spreading myself too thin” I said. All my brain could see, was possible failure, and me standing before you today without a word in my head to speak.

Every few hours of that first week I was planning what I could cancel or simply be late to. I had planned a Labour weekend holiday and I was frustrated that my week didn’t go as I planned. However, by the end of that week I had not been horrendously late to anything, early for most, gone to everything and unexpectedly, other people had stepped up and helped out where they could.

As I was driving to the coast on Friday afternoon of Labour weekend, I pondered how the week had worked out. I knew saying, no, was the right thing to do.  And as I thought about that, I realised that the Thought for the Week was developing in my head and I had to laugh at myself.

God had sustained me. He had my unexpectedly busy week sorted before I even knew it was going to happen. He had prepared people to be available to help me out.

I had forgotten how many times God has sustained me in the past, just like the Israelites had forgotten how God had saved them from slavery and had provided everything they needed. I had failed to trust God with my unexpectedly busy week, just like the Israelites had failed to trust that God would provide and care for them. I had grumbled about my week just like the Israelites had grumbling and the realisation that I had grumbling against God, stung deep.

By Labour Day, Monday, I had sorted my sermon, including pictures and I had written this Thought for the Week. I had, had a great weekend with friends, out dining and shopping, eating fresh caught whitebait and not completing a 2000 piece jig saw puzzle. I was rested and prepared for the busy week ahead, that is now in the past.

The Lord is faithful today and he calls us to trust him for tomorrow.

Will I ever learn? I hope so.  Janie