Dear Friends,

Today as I ‘put pen to paper’ is the first day after the Autumnal Equinox. The weather is blue skies and just a hint of what is around the corner as the wind has a coolness to it. We have just returned from a week on the Llyn peninsular in North Wales.  I think that is the worst weather we have ever had whilst on holiday, perhaps only beaten by a week’s holiday on Corfu in October quite a few years ago. The storms then caused the hotel to be flooded and they opened the front and back doors to allow the water to run straight through the hotel from the mountain at the rear. We also suffered large hailstones during that holiday too. I have already decided which weeks we are having next year for our holiday, so if you want to avoid the weather get in touch and I will give you the weeks to avoid.

Before we went away, we had made plans – Jenni (daughter) and Gill were going to walk part of the North wales Coastal Path, with me providing a support vehicle and joining them at the start and the end of each day. However, having broken my big toe I wasn’t allowed to walk a lot. Then the weather intervened and plans were changed again

Whilst in North Wales I found myself reading ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ by Bear Grylls. Made up of 5 parts and telling the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, from those who were with him on life’s journey. The story is about their hopes and dreams of a life spent with Jesus and focused on the three years of his ministry. However, the events they experienced led them to re-evaluate their plans.

Everyone’s story contains ’storms of life’ and the difficulties we encounter, causing us to change plans at short notice. We don’t have to think back that long to remember Covid and the disruption that created to well made plans.

As we head into autumn and the trees shed their leaves for yet another year, we know we can expect more storms over the winter as we await spring and the start of another yearly cycle.

Those who spent time with Jesus thought their world had come to an end as he was crucified. Yet they soon realised that he was with them following his resurrection. Many of the first followers were frightened by their encounter with the risen Christ. Their life’s journey continued to be full of turmoil as they sought to be true disciples of Christ . They continued, knowing that Christ had made a promise to them that he would be with them forever. His promise still stands for us today. No matter what storms might come your way remember, Christ promised he would be with you. That is part of the greatest love shown to us by God. Take time to rest until the storms pass – as they surely will, knowing that God is with us all on the journey we call life.      

Rev Mark