A few days ago I was walking with my son; it was early evening. We walked along a route we have become very familiar with and my son has told me its one of his favourite routes as it goes through the middle of a rapeseed field. The views are amazing as well. We are surrounded by the bright yellow plants. It was there for a moment that I was taken back in time. Occasionally this happens; something about the ambience, the smells, the sounds … I am not sure what really, but I know it’s a special mix of certain things that takes me back. I find myself remembering the times in my childhood that made me feel secure. Those halcyon days of wandering in the open, exploring and taking in the sights and sounds of the countryside, knowing that back home my dinner was being made, my bed and all the homely things that I took for granted were waiting and in particular the rest of my family. I spent many hours at the farm near to us and the Holy Well. My mum was more often than not cooking and Sundays we would all go to church. My dad had a sparkle in his eye at being with his family all day and the smell of him chopping fresh mint is almost as strong now as it was then. As I am remembering I slip into prayer. I burst with gratefulness for all that God has given us. I hold up to God the loss and grief I have experienced and pray for strength in the events to come.

I’ve come to love this feeling when it happens, I embrace it and find joy in it. I am comforted and renewed by it. All through this experience, God is there and I feel extremely close to God. I know that God was with me then, he is with me now and will be with me always. I am left with a feeling of lightness and joy.

I am remarking to myself as I write that I didn’t need to go to a building or to be given permission to worship in this way, it comes to me naturally. I am reminded of these words from the book of Ecclesiastes:

‘God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever, nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14)

Let us pray:

Creator God, you are always and forever.

Please help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to love as you love.

Please help those who feel distant to feel close to you.

Amen.

Rebecca Edwards