CHRIST CHURCH URC : PASTORAL LETTER FOR AUGUST

Dear Friends,

Talking to Ronald an elderly gentleman who has known pain in his life; from a traumatic event in his childhood, to a debilitating illness in adulthood that left him with physical limitations, to becoming a widower, he still find reasons to be thankful. When I asked him: how are you, Ronald? Full of smiles he repeated the phrase: I thank God every day, he is good, he is still in control. Parting company with him I reflected on his attitude of thanksgiving and I thought why not?  Cultivating an attitude of gratitude; practicing praise and thanksgiving to God should be something we all do as Christians. No doubt giving thanks in everything is not really being thankful for the situation but in the situation. It is about acknowledging the reality of the challenge but also recognising and thanking God that we can trust him because he is faithful and involved in seen and unseen ways in the circumstances of life.

Friends, this summer we are surrounded by the daily presence and power of God in our lives, and in the beauty and call of nature. Unfortunately, when things become overwhelming, it is easy to miss God’s presence and power, we forget that he created all things and is still in control. God has his hand in the sounds and the stillness, in the noise and the quiet. He is there in times of war and in times of peace. He is visible in the beauty and in the pain.

This summer, in the joys and challenges of life I share with you things that I have found to be helpful, that you also may find to be doable:  Firstly, read your Bibles and pray every day. Secondly, be kind to yourself and others. Thirdly, draw encouragement from God’s work in nature by using your senses: go out for a stroll look at what you can see and smell all around you – listen and appreciate the various sounds – feel and taste the gentle breeze.  Fourthly, have a review of the day each evening- think of one thing that you are least thankful of, and balance that with three things that you are most thankful to God for. Keep a gratitude dairy and daily write one of your thanksgiving items in it – There are benefits to be gained as practicing gratitude fosters contentment, increases joy, reduces stress, and strengthens spiritual and mental resilience. Of course, we live in unpredictable times – there will always be things we cannot explain, suffering and challenges that seem to have no greater purpose. But in faith we must shift focus from the problems to God who is still at work in our lives, in our communities and in the world. Let us find reasons to worship God and be thankful.

Be thankful in all circumstances – 1 Thessalonians 5: 9

Summer blessings

Irene