Monday 20th April 2020

MONDAY 20TH APRIL

Good morning to you! I wonder how your weekend has been?

I had a lovely weekend in the beautiful garden here at Braehead House, sometimes weeding and digging, sometimes reading, sometimes praying...........mostly just enjoying the quiet of these days.

Many people have been in touch to ask if I am ok here living on my own.........I have to say that I feel as if I am on a Sabbatical, using this time of self isolating to rest and be renewed in the Lord.

One of the other things I have been enjoying are the early mornings. I have been waking each day at around 5am, and spending an hour or so just sitting at the window, watching the slow light of dawn appearing. Marveling again at how each day the sun rises, and light breaks through the darkness.

I was reminded of my walking days on the Camino Santiago de Compostella.

On one of the first evenings while attending the Pilgrim’s service the priest said, “This pilgrimage will change you; you will not be the same person you were at the start when you finish”

“The journey will have its ups and downs, and I’m not just talking about the hills and mountains...........you will have your own personal ups and downs. Days when you have lots of energy and feel you could keep walking forever; days when you are so tired and dispirited; when you have injuries, and you feel like you cannot walk another step.”

“But, no matter how you are feeling, remember the sun will always rise. And I can promise you, you will see some spectacular sunrises on this walk.”

“And, each time you see the sun rise, remember too, that the Risen Son is journeying with you each step of the way.”

You will be familiar with these words from a well known Christmas carol

Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace,

Hail the Son of righteousness

Light and life to all He brings,

Risen with healing in His wings.

These are difficult days for so many people as we journey through this pandemic. Many I know are struggling to keep going, and I know there is a need for the healing power of the risen Lord to touch into places of fear and wounding.

No one is going to come out from these days the same as they went into it.

We are forever changed.

But Eastertide reminds us that, no matter what we face today, what we’ve been through, or what uncertainties tomorrow may hold,

Christ is risen and is our Hope. He conquered death, He makes all things new.

He has risen! He has risen indeed!

He breathes new life into us, so that we can live forever in the Light.

See what a morning, gloriously bright With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem; Folded the grave-clothes Tomb filled with light, As the angels announce Christ is risen! See God’s salvation plan, wrought in love, Borne in pain, paid in sacrifice, Fulfilled in Christ, the Man, for He lives, Christ is risen from the dead!