Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43.19)

I’m a planner. An organiser. A maker of lists. The way I like to deal with the chaos of life is to try to name it, categorise it, and file it neatly away. I cope with the terrifying uncertainties of being human through spreadsheets. I am the Queen of Spreadsheets.

Of course, I don’t really think I can control life’s ups and downs. I am not in charge – stuff happens which is absolutely beyond my control, both good and bad, and there is, I know, absolutely nothing I can do about that.

But it helps that I’ve got a spreadsheet. It helps that I’ve got a plan, or at least a bit of a plan and it helps to know that when terrible things happen – and they do – I won’t fall apart immediately. No. First, I will make a list. And as each day goes by, no matter what else is happening, I will be ticking things off that list and by this I will know that progress is being made, that I am moving forward.