The English do seem to be a hopeful people;

Certainly when it comes to the  summer’s weather, they are always hopeful. We are used the grey, and wet and cold of the winter, but there is  always something about spring that gives hope of at least two hot and sunny days to come that we can call ‘summer’.  However, I suspect, as hopeful as you may be, you are not daft enough to go to the bookies and bet on it.

Knowing there will be summer but not knowing what exactly the weather will be means having a coat, a brolly, a jumper, shorts, t-shirt, sun cream and a flask of hot soup with you every day.   And maybe the same could be said about our lives. Many people expend time and energy trying to second guess the future and  worrying about having all that is needed to cope with it.

When the storm breaks having the right protection from the rain is a top priority. Having the ability to get out of the raging wind, being helped through it all by a friend and finding a safe haven and some warming tea is a key necessity. Being able to get out of wet clothes so we don’t catch cold is a good idea. The last thing we think of during today’s storms is what is coming next week; we just want to get through things now.

We often talk of the storms of life – the illness, heartache, job loss or  bereavement we encounter. During these times we just want some sense of care and warmth, some relief from the torrents of emotion, some guidance to a better place – and rightly so.

The most known Psalm is number 23: ‘The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the       darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’    Here is the honest acknowledgment that not all things in life will be blue sky and      wonderful sunsets. But here also is life experience, that in those times of storm, of threat, of darkness, God is with us and we can journey through, together. It can be difficult in the dark times to see His presence; the trick to knowing He is there is, of course to get to know God in the good times; Christianity is not about ‘insurance’, it is ‘assurance’!

So here’s a challenge, get to know God when everything is good. Come to church – yes the hymns may be boring, the preacher may say something you do not like, the people may be very ordinary – but God on the other hand… Read a Gospel there are free copies of Mark’s gospel in the churches you can take for yourself!  Pray!

With God all things are possible! The valley may be dark, but His presence and comfort can be found there!