26th October 2026

I always have a game of solitaire open on my computer. I play various types and have my favourites of course. It is not because they are easy, but because they are just a little bit challenging. Sometimes life feels like a game, we never know what card will show up next, and if that will either fit in with our plan or just be the wrong suit. So, as I was musing on this very thing this morning, I asked myself, what does this have to do with my relationship with God? I try to see God in everything in my life because he is my life; I do not exist without him. I like to think that God is with me even as I play my game of solitaire.

Sometimes I get stuck in a game and just want to give up. I will often then say: ‘Help Lord.’ I find I am trying the same approach over and over again, and of course getting the same results. That is when I back up and start from the beginning; trying another method. It sounds a little like being born again. Can you just hear the Lord repeating the same things to us as mankind keeps making the same mistakes over and over again? What we do may not be necessarily wrong in itself, but it just is not getting us the desired results. We focus on ourselves more than on the whole of humanity. We may not set out to do this, but this is often the result.

Throughout the bible we have story after story of how mankind has just gone in the wrong direction, and how God has entered in and directed us to make another approach; and this approach needs to be God directed, God present in every aspect of it. I like to think that God is playing along with me in my game of solitaire, and I know how important it is to make God my partner in every bit of my life all day long. I need God’s direction and teaching, his support and comfort; truly God is our all in all.

I like to invite God into my day even though he already is a major part of it. It is more politeness and the overwhelming joy of having God in my life. We want him near when things go wrong, how about when they go right? He is my best friend and my Lord. How good is that! I welcome him next to me in my drive into town, I welcome him as I walk the dogs. He is with me now as I ask him what it is that he wants me to share this week in my devotional. He just said that he wants us to know that he loves us and enjoys our company; I sure enjoy his company. The words from a song keep going through my head: ‘I’ve got so much, so much to be thankful for.’

Don’t get me wrong, I battle deep loneliness every day; I can be alone in a crowd. I struggle with believing I am loveable and that anyone cares. It has been a struggle my whole life and it drives me away from any social event; because I feel even more alone there than ever. I’m not looking for pity; I just want you to know that it is God who holds my hand when I struggle. It is God who reminds me that I will never be alone because he is with me. He reminds me every day to make another approach to life and include him in it. Have you invited God into your day? He is waiting for the invitation. He loves you and desires your love in return.

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