A dog-friendly café near us has a sign outside it, apparently aimed at dogs. It’s certainly low enough for most dogs to see but I’m not sure how many dogs can read. It says, “Take a stick, Leave a stick”. And there is, indeed, a fine collection of sticks at the foot of the sign. It remined me of the advice offered to hikers. “Take nothing but photographs. Leave nothing but footprints”. Reflection    Wherever we go we will give and take something. May we gently take what’s on offer and graciously give of ourselves. Geoff Serpell [adapted from The Friendship Book 2025]

My wife, Janice, can still remember taking our children to church and trying to keep them from getting too restless in the pews. She also remembers the people in front of her turning around and tutting disapprovingly. This also happened to another Janice, who became a Minister, and who made sure she had a child’s play area in every church she preached in, so no young mum needed be put off. Reflection: – The Bible tells us that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord, and sometimes the difficulties we overcome are what makes us better. Geoff Serpell adapted from The Friendship Book 2025.