"..Where's My Ginger Bread Man?"

As a self-employed gardener, I recently discovered that I'd missed an important dead-line with regards to my tax situation. Anyway, having been advised by the local post office the location of the tax dept (which is in the centre of Reading) I decided it would be a good idea to seek out some face-to-face counsel..

With a garden booked for that afternoon I was earnestly praying the consultation wouldn't take too long, so I could do some shopping in town before returning home..

I arrived at what I thought was the nearest car park to the building only to discover it was £8 to park there for more than two hours! : {
Not having lived in the area for very long, I endeavoured to head back to somewhere I knew would be cheaper. However, on the way, I passed another car park but as I drove in, found it was also £8!
No way!! (I like to be economical) : D

I backed out and drove off, unsure of my bearings...and the thing about Reading is, if you happen to dither at all about where you're going, the cars come up close behind you with a loud BEEEEEP!!
So now I'm having to repent for all the negative stuff I'm saying about this...amazing...wonderfully blessed town...ha ha...

Well, after parking up at the place I normally go, I asked a couple if they knew where this tax building was, and the guy says;
"..Oh yes, well it's rather a huge trek straight down the main road through the town centre and out the other side.."

I set off feeling all stressed, and as I reached the shops, suddenly heard;
"..Go and get a latte.."
I thought;
"..I can't do that as I've no idea how long I'll be at this place...anyway, I'm fasting today.."
I carried on walking then heard it again..
"..Go and get a latte.."
At which point I turned and headed into The Oracle..
'..Okay, I'll go and get a latte..'

In the meantime, I'd had a call asking if the garden booked for that afternoon could be postponed until the following week (oh thank You, Lord!)

Whilst in queue at Costa, I thought;
     '..I know, I'll have my first 'gingerbread latte' of the season..'
So here it came covered with lovely thick whipped cream...but no wee gingerbread man on top!
I love gingerbread men!
I asked the assistant who just shook her head and turned away..

Last year there was no longer the shiny golden sprinkles, and now no gingerbread man...could this be the meaning of that word, 'austerity?' (Haha)

Well anyway, the latte was still lovely and now, with peace fully restored, I set off again for the tax dept which only seemed to take about 5 minutes..

I walked in to find a large, youngish man lounging back on his chair behind a tall desk..
"..Oh, there hasn't been anyone here to speak to since 2014.." he said, most casually, "..you'll have to ring or go online.."

Heading off back into town, I thought;
'..Of course You knew that all along, didn't You, Lord..'

"..Wisdom is justified by her children.." as Jesus once so wisely said.. (Luke 7 v 35)

Well, after a nice relaxed wander around the shops, I returned home to quite a prolonged, 'frustrating' session online. Unbelievably complicated process, and still I really needed to speak to someone about my personal situation..

However, led of the Lord, I managed to avoid the '50p a minute call charges' by locating a person on the government web site with whom I could 'chat' to and ask all the appropriate questions.
The added bonus being that, my tax form, if completed online, would not now need to be in until the end of the year!
Oh, the relief!

With Jesus always so close at hand, why do we ever worry..

"..And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby) that He may remain with you forever.."
John 14 v 16 (Amplified Version)

Oh, and the third car park was only £5 for 3 hours (marginally better!)