Forgive me for the radio silence for a couple of weeks and then an inane story gets me thinking, but I have found myself wallowing in the news recently. Credit crunch, renewed violence in Northern Ireland, credit crunch, ministers expense claims in Westminster, credit crunch, soldiers dying in Afghanistan, credit crunch, Joseph Moessel in Austria, and did I mention the credit crunch? It has left me drained and empty of any enthusiasm to comment...
But a donkey shortage; now that's news.

Well, of course, it isn't really massive in the big scheme of things, but it matters to some people (and, presumably some lonely donkeys). I think I noticed the story because it crept through my compassion fatigue and made me smile and feel sorry for all the people who would miss out on a bit of donkey-action this Easter.

Of course I care more about people dying than the lack of a processional beast, but I have been reminded that there is room in God's heart for the small concerns this week. And that matters to me, because it reminds me that I matter to him.

Now then, if I can just work out where can I get a donkey for Palm Sunday...