The Vicar's Monthly Jottings

August 2010

This month, Christina Hayhoe, Associate Church Warden, writes:

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17 verses 7-10
At the time I'm writing this, when I look out on my garden, I see a brown lawn, wilting plants and shrivelled fruit on my plum trees - the result of the lack of rain over the last few months. A clear picture of what happens in nature when there is no water - although as I am shortly off to New Wine (and camping), I expect the rain will now come in torrents!

And what about our spiritual lives - what happens "when heat comes" or "in the year of drought" - when the pressures of life crowd in upon us, when we have spent months giving out and are feeling tired and running on empty. Our lives are so busy these days, we seem to cram an awful lot in, both in our family life, our work and church activities. But now we have got to August - a time when we will hopefully be having a break from the busyness, and an opportunity for refreshing in body, mind and spirit. An opportunity to watch a sunset, walk in the countryside, chill out with friends, hang out with our Heavenly Father. We read in Exodus 33 that Moses would hang out with God in the "tent of meeting" - I hope you have an opportunity to do the same over the next few weeks. If you aren't planning to be in a tent, no worries, the Holy Spirit will come and fill you afresh wherever you are, as you give him time and space. I pray you may have lots of opportunities to be like "a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream", refreshed and ready "to bear fruit"….Harvest is just around the corner! Happy Holidays!!

Chris Hayhoe

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