I wonder what image you conjured up when you read this title, I hope you didn’t think this was going to be piece about doggie mishaps, if so, wrong; or perhaps you thought of the old saying ‘fools rush in where in angels fear to tread’. Well, that could apply but the inspiration for what follows is inspired by The Beast from the East in part, this dreadfully cold spell we are currently in the grip of. Thankfully Hubert and I have all we need to help keep us warm. Last autumn, since we are old enough to qualify for a Winter Fuel Allowance, we brought a small convector heater for our kitchen because the double radiator hardly seems to make much difference. This is probably due to the fact that the ceiling is quite up above and that takes any heat up away from the rest of the kitchen where the ceiling is much lower. This heater cost just £14 and is amazingly efficient.

Anyway, I digress. The second element that gave rise to this title is a photograph of our two younger grandchildren who live in Southport, Amy (4) and Seth (3). It show a back view of Amy leading the way, leaving footprints in the snow, and Seth following on behind. This is usually the case. Immediately I thought of that well known carol, Good King Wenceslas, with the words, “mark my footsteps good my page, tread thou in them boldly; thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly..”. It is the King advising his servant to walk immediately behind him so that he might gain some protection from the worst of the weather.

Isn’t this what our Lord and Saviour tells us? That is to walk closely with Him and he will bless us and keep us in our care. This is reflected in that well known ‘Footprints in the Sand’ poem which describes how the set of footprints in the sand are the rough times in our lives that our Lord carries us through – whether we are aware of it or not; Praise Be. So we should, at all times, be watching carefully where we tread.

Pam