My Dear Friends,
I hope you are managing to find something every day to make you smile. I know it is tough.
Without doubt there is a growing sense of unease being aired into our houses every time we watch the news, and folk are struggling to cope with an ongoing sense of uncertainty. We have never know a pattern of living like this, where things change almost daily, and plans are scuppered on a regular basis.
It is now the case that it is hard to even make plans, especially concerning travel, or gatherings of people from different places, and this is having an effect of people’s feeling of well being and mental health. There is a sadness in the air!
But do you remember the old saying ‘The only use of plans is to make God laugh!’It has always been the case that things change. Nothing stays the same, and usually we can live with that, and move forward.One of the things that is happening at the moment, is that many people are becoming pre – occupied with Covid related issues, and however understandable that is, there is a life to be lived as well. And there is joy to be found, and even adventures to be had.
I remember when I moved to Shoreham Beach, and went to visit one of my neighbours. She had her lounge upstairs, and her view was an uninterrupted one of sheer beauty overlooking the Beach and the sea. Sailing ships were floating by, fishing boats were doing their thing, and windsurfers were whizzing along. I was in awe of the view, and commented on how beautiful at was, saying I bet she never got tired of looking at it. Her reply stunned me. She said she didn’t even notice it any more, and barley spent any time looking.
Sometimes we fall in to a trap of not seeing or experiencing the absolute beauty that is around us, because our minds are on things far away.
We all know what a tough time so many people are going through, and how hard it is for families to be apart. We all miss so many things that we took for granted, not least the joy of human touch. And the sense of uncertainty when it comes to planning is incredibly difficult to cope with, and my love and prayers go out to all who are having a terrible time of it all.But this too will pass, and things will change, and we will get to hug our loved ones and hold them tight, and in the meantime we can do what we can to make the most of every day, taking in the wander and majesty of that which surrounds us, making contact with as many folk as we can, and looking forward to the joy that is to be revealed.
Sometimes it is hard to spot how Blessed we are, but it doesn’t take long to see, if we have eyes to see.
So Bless you, Bless you, Bless you.

As ever, Fr Marcus