Well, summer has definitely arrived. Everyone has melted and those of a certain age keep telling the rest of us about the heat wave of 1976, when there were stand pipes in the street and tarmac melted.
Praise the Lord for air conditioning!
As Ashley wrote last month, we as a church are in ordinary time. Ordinary time is divided into two parts, the first short period begins in February after Candlemas through till Shrove Tuesday. The second period or Trinity tide is the longest period of ordinary time stretching from Pentecost right through to Advent - about six months in all.
The daily grind of life is in full swing and Advent is ages away; the days are bright, and the holiday season has begun with families getting together or jetting off and making memories while the children are young. After all nothing beats a Jet 2 holiday :-) I may have spent too much time on social media!
While all that worldly noise is loud and consuming it is easy to find yourself unintentionally wandering away from the way of Christ. It’s okay, we are not perfect, but if we recognise it and turn ourselves back to Christ; He is there guiding us on our journeys.
That's all very well and trite, but what about those of us that are really struggling with our Faith or are in a period of the dark night of the soul. This period of interregnum has been long and hard. Fear not, our new incumbent is coming (8th September is the licensing). While we continue on our way don't dismay or despair as Christ is always with us, guiding us, loving us, and carrying us if necessary. Just as with Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego, no matter how hot it gets, whilst our Faith holds His grace and Mercy are ours.
Don't forget that while our lives may change in the heat of our suffering, the shape and feel of things may become different and we develop a new normal, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
So, as we embark on another month of 2026, remember: The peace of God, which passes all understanding. Keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us and remain with us always. Amen.
Love Claire
