Catrina Benham's Blog

Up early before the busyness of today to make a cake. Not a fancy cake, just a Victoria sponge, all sugar and jam. Today our eldest returns to Uni and it's one of our family traditions to send him off with this cake :) Four weeks into September and I'm finding the pace of life has really picked up, are you? It's so easy to push it out, but now it's more vital than ever (remembering some lazy sunny days by a pool with a book....) to draw close, create space to meet with God regularly, and right in the middle of our daily lives. Matthew 6:6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." Where do you go? What do you do to make space to meet with God in the middle of whatever your everyday life looks like today?  

Next time you go shopping, could you buy an item for Foodbank too? 3 out of 5 Benham's have sore throats this morning, so I'll be popping out in my lunch hour for throat sweets and tissues today, and I'll add a tin of tuna or two to my basket.  

  This is Kitty Kalunga. I met her in Serenje in October 2010, when Val Cottee and I spoke at a women's conference, teaching about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. She is a Pastors wife, and was one of the wonderful women that had sacrificed in time and responsibilities, in order to attend the conference. Mrs Mutala had been speaking about the strength of the women and how hard they worked for their families and children. In fact, as I recorded in my notebook at the time " Leah was fantastic - in response to our request to "bring a greeting", she pretty much exploded into the room like a hand grenade"! She was speaking vision for the girls dormitory that the community had decided they needed to build, encouraging the women that " for my children's children I must give some money by faith ". Mrs Kalunga was the first woman to pledge a gift for the dormitory that day, and it was so moving to watch many other women also then walk forward to give

I just had a little moment when I tidied up my handbag, purse and diary (ever have those?) Amongst all the usual random bits, I came across this little piece of paper in the back of my diary. Don't know where I got it from, or when I printed it out and (literally) cut and pasted it into my diary :) but the words are fresh and alive today. 3 words of wisdom x  

As an antidote to slipping into thinking that our lives are all about Getting The Jobs Done and Doing and all the other elements of our days and lives, I encourage you to take a break. Stop and do something different - look up, just for a moment. I'm working at home this morning, preparing a new talk, and really enjoying the challenge of a new subject. As well as the (literal!) noises of the washing machine calling me, and all the other pressing domestic demands, I've got my head down and I'm getting on with it. But just now I followed my own advice and stopped. I stopped in order to watch, listen and worship - to lift my head from me to Him, and the cross. It's done me so much good - to remember that Jesus loves me, not because of anything I do. And whatever I am doing, He is always interceding, and always fighting for me. Take a moment today to do the same. My current obsession is Victor's Crown - as you listen , let these truths comfort you, calm you

  A picture paints a thousand words right? ... To understand how my day began, you need to know that one of those words is maggots ! Not happy. Especially as I'd woken early after sleeping so badly...and was thinking about yesterday and how I could have done some things, especially at work, differently and better. I'd already realised I was thinking about myself way too much and had confessed it and brought it to God. Which is good. Especially when I read the latest blog about Serenje . And then watched this film. Pictures (images, words, sounds) painting a thousand words. It's such a privilege to have a relationship with the wonderful and hard working people in Serenje.     And I remembered that a maggoty bin and a sleepless night is not a big deal. And that my life is not about me. And when I opened my Bible, this is what I read The Message (MSG) Romans 15 1-6 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand

The alarm went off early this morning - back to school for me! The children go back tomorrow, so I guess that signifies the end of summer and the start of routine again. I love the summer. I love open doors and windows, eating outdoors, the warmth of the sun on my face and shoulders. I know some of you love Autumn...I like making soup and watching Strictly Come Dancing...but that's about it for chilly old- it's- only- getting - colder - and - darker Autumn and winter. Summer's where it's at for me, and I reluctantly let it slip and leave...so I was cheered to read Ann Voskamp's blog where she spoke about planning a few simple activities to seize the last of the summer. I printed out her list, and we straightaway made plans...then we added a few of our own. Here's what we've already done- its been lovely, and special, and memorable. We can't stop time, but we can stop and enjoy the moments. What would be on your list?