Tag: Gill Henwood

Do these ‘Little things’

One of the emblems of Saint David ~Daffodils.
Photographed by Gill Henwood in their natural habit.

Today, March 1st, we celebrate St. David’s  day, though perhaps not as boisterously as some Welsh people may do!
I once had a memorable visit to St. Davids in Wales, an highlight of which was a cliff-top walk which led to St. Non’s Well. (St. Non was David’s mother). The well is reputedly where David was baptized and today it is still flowing gently and pilgrims strew flowers on its waters.
David himself was very fond of water – the only liquid he drank, except the wine of the Eucharist.
He and his followers were known by the Latin word Aquati  meaning ‘water drinkers’,because of this.

Through living simply with God and teaching of the Love of Jesus, David lay down a pattern of life for his own disciples to follow.
On his deathbed he reminded his monks of this in his final words to them (and therefore, to us):
“Brothers and sisters, be joyful Keep the faith and do the little things that you saw and heard from me.”

The little things which David taught included prayer, being present for the breaking of bread at the Eucharist; reading scripture; speaking only when necessary and helping the poor. He believed also that we should have a deep respect for others; that we should always be lowly, possessing a humility which never expresses itself arrogantly and which steers us away from pride. He also set great store on hospitality – always being ‘at home’ for others and for God – having time for both.
These ‘little’ things are the bedrock on which faith is built.
Neglect of them leads to spiritual deprivation. Attention to them leads to faith expressed joyfully.
It is the little things we do in Christ’s name which matter most.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta expressed much the same thing when she said that she and her sisters didn’t do great things but rather little things with a great love.  St. David would have approved of that.

During this season of Lent we might try to improve our understanding of faith and pay more attention to the little things which build it up. The obvious faith-building things of prayer, bible and worship combined with a concern for the poor need our attention as much as anything else. We also should pay more attention to others especially when there is disagreement and difference of opinion between people and groups. Learning to listen to each other with real love is a way towards greater understanding but it also leads to godliness. Allowing our hearts to be open to others is real hospitality, especially because, quite often, whenever we open ourselves to others, God can also slip into our hearts and feel ‘at home’ with us.

This is certainly much more to be desired than trying to impose our opinion and views upon others!

[Mr G. St David’s Day 2026]

Ordinary Time?

Photos by Gill Henwood of Hellebore & Rhododendron in her Lakeland Garden

The short period between the end of the Christmas Season (at Candlemass on February 2nd) and Lent, is known in the Church as ‘Ordinary Time’.
As far as Nature is concerned this is very far from the truth. In the Western Hemisphere and particularly in Europe we are moving into the season of Spring. Though in many parts of Europe it has been a particularly stormy and wet period of late, there are many signs that there is new life emerging from the earth.

The photos which my friend Gill Henwood has sent show “hellebores in full flower and an early rhododendron.” She says that “both were budding before Christmas and, so far, have weathered frost and wind”, not forgetting hares which have turned their attention towards other plants this year!
The Christmas Box plant has been wafting  beautiful scent throughout Cristmastide.  The aroma is fabulous even on dark mornings and dark night walks in the garden. For Gill, this is  a reminder of the Frankincense of Christmas.

The ‘Greening’ of the earth which Gill’s photos point to is being experienced through the emergence of buds and bulbs shooting on branches and in the soil. Crocus and daffodil are close behind. My tulips are pushing leaves through the top of the pots, seeking the breath of light and life. This morning, near the church path, buds and a dusting of green spoke to me of God’s amazing creative activity. This Winter has been harsh for many and the world situation is so dire that there is a need for us to re-focus.

Right on cue we can fill our lungs with a breath of hope and wonder.
We can find joy in the singing of the birds and soon the animal kingdom will fill our fields, forests & woodlands and gardens with new life. Bees and butterflies, insects and worms will populate our gardens, hedgerows,lakes and ponds. So much new life and growth will teem and swirl, dance full of life and reach to heaven as the trees prepare to become shade and homes and hiding places for all manner of creation..

And we? The Spirituality of Nature lifts our souls from creation to Creator.
All this is gift from our giving God!
And in a mutual thanksgiving, our part is to be custodians and stewards of the earth, living in deep friendship with Creation, Nature, and with all who allow us to share this earth with them.

As the poet Rumi reminds us:

In this earth,
in this immaculate field,
we shall not plant any seeds
except for compassion,
except for love.

Such a giving from God leaves no room for anything from us but compassion and  love for all.
Hardly an Ordinary Time!

Woodland by Gill Henwood

[Mr G. with thanks and love to Gill Henwood for her wonderful photos
and comments.]

A Surprise of Creation

photos:Gill Henwood

Scarlet elf cup (Sarcoscypha austriaca)

These photos come from my friend, Gill Henwood.

Gill was  tidying up her garden ready for Spring recently. –
“We found this in our damp dell whilst cutting back ferns to give emerging snowdrops more light.
This is a Scarlet Elf Cup (Fungus), A beautiful deep scarlet, hidden within the soft blush cup.
Vibrant colour, in a woodland floor of decaying twigs and leaves, and mosses. 
Creation surprises us with unexpected delights. Rich red on a gloomy, cloudy, drizzling day.”

For more information, visit the Woodland Trust website, which describes the Elf Cup as ‘Mystical and cheery.’ Mystical and cheery, the scarlet elf cup grows on decaying sticks and branches in damp spots and beneath leaf litter on the woodland floor. Their bright pops of colour brighten up even the darkest winter day.

Elsewhere we read that, ‘The Scarlet Elf Cup’ gets its name from folklore that says woodland elves use the vibrant, cup-shaped fungi as tiny goblets to drink morning dew or that fairies bathe in the rainwater collected in them. Its bright red colour against the winter woodland floor, combined with its delicate, cup-like shape, inspired these imaginative tales of mythical beings.

Elf-cups (a poem by Mr G)

Hidden beneath decaying leaves
forest debris moves.
Soil crumbles beneath finger and thumb
of creation’s constant action.
Earth changing shape as pale wintry light
penetrates the woodland womb
bringing to birth cup-like, colourful fungi
signs that winter prepares to herald Spring.
God’s creation always surprises us,
if we but look with open hearts
ever expectant to be captivated.

Yet look again – these chalices of winter dew
may carry Nature’s sacrament of new life
to waiting elves!

Mr G. 24th January 2026