THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Wednesday 26th October, 2016.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Wednesday 26th October, 2016.

This weekend clocks go back an hour and summer officially ends. I smile every time this happens because some of our congregation always turn up an hour earlier for the Sunday morning service, or with a perplexed look meet us leaving the chapel because they’re an hour late! Early or late it’s a reminder that that while we can and do manipulate time God’s times and seasons are unchanging.

The Bible also speaks of time in a much more personal way. A ‘time’ for every purpose with even more emphasis on the Christian virtue of loving our neighbour and doing good with the time we are given. From our childhood we were often encouraged not to waste time and I still have my school autograph book where Miss Henshaw our first teacher in junior school wrote. ‘When you’ve something to do and it’s hard to begin it, start straight away and not waste a minute’ Sound advice – which I must admit I have not always kept!

For many who are elderly and living on their own winter is always a vulnerable time. That’s why keeping an eye on elderly neighbours, especially those who live on their own can make all the difference and certainly be good use of our time. A report this week from ‘Crisis’ the charity for the homeless is that it is extending services in South Wales. ‘Crisis’ provides emergency accommodation all through the year and especially the days before and after Christmas. They and other charities both in the UK and in other areas of the world are deserving of our time and support.

Even a small amount of our time can make all the difference to someone else’s winter. Jesus showed care and compassion to the hungry and the lost. His earthly ministry lasted just three years and yet so many lives where changed because he took the time to love and care. This winter, we too can make that difference when in our often busy lives we decide that when it comes to helping those in need we ‘start straight away and not waste a minute’ -Thanks Miss Henshaw!