Thought for the week (we 28th July 2013)

As I write the Nat King Cole song ‘the lazy, hazy crazy days of summer’ is on the radio. A long-time favourite of mine it has a rhythm and tempo all of its own and must be one of the best summer songs ever.

Quite appropriate as well in a week that has gone down on record as one of the warmest for many years. With temperatures due to rise again this week it’s a wonderful start to the school holidays.

We must, however, take care, keep well covered and make sure that we don’t swim in any dangerous places.

Our lives are often made up of seasons. In the years of childhood and youth the experiences and discoveries we make will, hopefully, have increased our wisdom in tackling the problems of later life.

We may be in a time where relationships have broken down and the hurt and indignation we feel make the possibility of forgiveness seem impossible. That’s a sad season and must give way to moving on, extending the hand of friendship and reconciliation – because one day it will be too late! Then there’s the season when we are able to help others who are in need.

How blessed to be the means by which someone’s dark season of need, be it unemployment, loneliness or any other reason is met with generosity and kindness. No wonder God says that it’s more of a blessing to give than to receive! The saddest season is when we are misled by the ethos of the times in which we live which says that power, wealth and influence are all important, so much so that we have no need or time for God in our lives.

Think again because such things are like the changing seasons they just do not last. God offers us through faith in Jesus the great and eternal gifts of love, peace salvation and the joy of heaven. Perhaps then Nat King Cole’s song has an element of truth after all because with Jesus summer will always be here!