peace in the storms

Perhaps the 'spicey' soup I made today was symbolic. Variety is the spice of life and every day is certainly different.

Not just different from other days, but different from what I'd planned. A day very rarely works out the way I had anticipated.

There was the soup-making bit at the start, of course. And then along to the school - with the assemblies now re-arranged each week for a Tuesday rather than a Thursday.

Even the Head is taking his time getting used to that. "I have to get myself organised a lot earlier in the week," he confessed. I guess it leaves him free-er later on.

'Forgiveness' is the theme this month. I'm getting to lead a 'whole-school' assembly in a couple of weeks and that will be my theme as well. It's a good gospel theme after all. And it ties in well with Easter.

Back from there to a pre-wedding meeting with the bride-to-be and her mother. The wedding takes place on Saturday (though I'm not the officiating minister) and there were all sorts of things to work through with them both in relation to the ceremony in the church.

Weddings can be a hugely stressful thing for those most closely involved. I recognise I always have a part to play in easing the tensions and calming the nerves and putting folk right at their ease. Jesus brings peace.

Today was no exception. Folk want to know the day will all be just fine. I try to help them see just why it will be so. Talking them through the whole thing. Walking them through the whole thing.

It takes some time, but it's always worth that investment.

From there it was off to a leaders' lunch-time get-together in a different part of town. A chance to touch base with some men who've been friends for years. To meet and talk and then, at the end, to have the time to pray together, too.

Back to some admin that was long overdue. Then out again to see some folk. Then back to call the local firm of undertakers. A funeral they'll be having to arrange in the days ahead.

A young man died in an accident over the weekend at a a 4x4 rally event. How suddenly everything can change. Not only vehicles, but lives and families can be turned upside down in an instant.

I'm out at night to see his grandmother, one of our older members. The young man's mother and father are there as well. His brother too. What pain there is in grief.

There are a couple of other homes to be calling by, too. Different needs. Different situations. Some full of anticipation and excitement. Some full of disappointment and worry.

Jesus had compassion on the people. I understand that.

It's a privilege to be given a feel for that in my day by day life.

Whatever it is people face - he's there.