Dear friends,

As I write this letter in the middle of June on a cold grey and rainy day the thought of Summer and summer time seems to still be far way. I very much hope that by the time you read this, we will be heading into proper warm summer weather.

It seems to me that there’s something about the months of July and August and the warmer weather which draws most of us to look for a change in the pace and rhythm of life. I don’t know whether it’s the pattern of the end of the school year which we grew up with or whether it’s just something about the warmer season, but once we reach July I long for a slower pace of life and a break from my usual routine of life and work. Our lives are so busy, aren’t they ? Even those who are retired tell me they’re busier than ever. We seem to live and work at such a pace these days that it’s so important for our souls and beings to have time to slow down and to rest and to be restored… and for many of us the summer months feel like the perfect time to do that.

Some of us will hopefully be preparing for some down time… a holiday away perhaps ? Although with the cost of living as high as it is I know this is only a dream for many and any kind of holiday will be taken at home. But for some, the choice to slow down just isn’t possible… tight budgets mean that work has to continue and time off is a luxury that can’t be afforded. The demands of our jobs, the need to feed children, to care for the family or for elderly or disabled relatives means there’s no time to slow down and a proper period of rest can be difficult to find. Jesus, speaking over 2000 years ago to a group of his friends who were, or who had been burdened by the busyness of their lives, said these lovely words: ‘Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest….’ (Matt 11:28-30) Our lives at times can be so busy and complex that we can feel like we’re burdened down by them and many folk are weary… But Jesus invites us …each one of us… no matter who we are … to Come to Him and He will give us rest.

Jesus will replenish and restore our tired bodies and souls as we ask Him to, and as we trust Him, He will lift our spirits and revive us giving us the peace and rest we so badly need.

So, even if this summer season is likely to be busy, I encourage us all to be more gentle with ourselves, to slow down even just a little and breathe; to try and find something of the natural rhythm of the season to help us relax. Perhaps making the effort to notice and enjoy the beauty of the natural life around us. To marvel and delight in the flowers, the birds, and the trees, to walk barefoot on the grass and to allow God to calm us, speak to us and replenish us as He invites each one of us to Come to Him and He will give us rest.

Whatever your summer is likely to be like, I hope the sun shines and we have warmer days and I hope that each one of us in some way will find some rest, and so find ourselves recharged and replenished in body, mind, and spirit.

Have a lovely summer.

God Bless Cathy x