One morning not so long ago, as I looked out of my bedroom window from my bed (this was during the heatwave, not this morning, when it is blustery and wet and misty – a quite different scene), I could see a small boat on the sea. It was too far away to see any detail but there it stayed, a small black dot. Very still. 

It was still there half an hour later when I looked again and it got me thinking. I wonder, are they fishing from the boat? Whatever must it be like on this beautiful morning to sit alone in a small boat on a very calm sea in Minehead bay? For a moment I projected myself onto the boat and then gazed all around me – at the water, so calm, quietly lapping the boat - almost blue, tide up and I revelled in the peace I found. 

From my bedroom I gazed, then, at the coastline. I am so fortunate to be able to have such an amazing view right from the house. I could see Butlin’s (empty at the moment), the golf course, Dunster chalets in the trees, Blue Anchor, and on, along the rugged West Somerset coast and in the distance from the bathroom, even the Welsh coast. Turning to the south, I looked at the hills and imagined walking there, maybe even finding deer, if I was very quiet.  Certainly there was a chance of seeing ponies. 

I hadn’t yet taken a step!  Still in bed! In my heart I gave thanks for all I could see and then, as you do in praying, drew in all the people I know, one by one, mentioning them by name. I could go on, but I wanted to show you how I can start my day: I pray for the shopkeepers, of course the NHS and the care they offer – the list is endless: the postmen who have continued to come throughout the pandemic. The delivery people, bringing food to those self-isolating … you can add a few, I guess.

Do you ever take time to be still, in a quiet space? I think the fishermen in the boat probably relish the peace they find, apart from bringing home dinner.

BUT … Do you ever stop and let yourself become still?

Do you wish you could?

Can you even find a quiet space?

When my children were young, very often the only place I could find peace and quiet (so I thought) was in the bathroom with the door firmly locked. Even then eventually one or other of them would realise that must be where I was and come banging on the door, or even just calling out for Mum!

Oh the frustration sometimes, when I had found a space to think! I wouldn’t have changed it though (… said from the safe distance of any children at all!).

But you know, one thing we all have in common is a heart and there we can find a quiet space (our brains are too busy) – so when you need space, take five to consider what, how, why ... in your heart: if you listen carefully you may even find the answer!

And this could, just possibly, be the way into prayer! Walking with God indeed …

Margaret Lintern