Tuesday 11th May 2020

Welcome home after our few virtual days away. There is nothing quite like being home is there? Normally we would say to sleep in our own bed again and have a nice home brewed cup of tea. Home is our place of safety and for many of us these days our work place too.

Elaine was telling me last week, all about a cartoon. It shows God in Yorkshire going about his daily business. A local asks God what are you doing here? God replies, I am working from home!

Our homes are our treasured places whether we are on our own or in the midst of a huge family-home. They are where we can be ourselves, kick off the shoes, wander in our pjs and be comfortable.

We are fortunate to have homes, which are warm and comfortable, filled with our little treasures, whether they be heirlooms passed down or whether they are special bits we have picked up here and there over the years. We remember the many in our world who do not have a place to call home and do not have the comfort and joy of such a place.

So today, treasure our surroundings. We return thanks to God for them. Think about the objects we treasure that are around us and speak of our past and maybe that of our families and friends too and give thanks to God for them. Give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy even in this lockdown and confess when we are irritated that normal life is not at our disposal.

I thought you would enjoy these items which Di, Julia and Becky have sent me and feel sure you will be smiling about their content very soon!

"How the Virus Stole Easter” A parody of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Kristi Bothur Twas late in ‘19 when the virus began Bringing chaos and fear to all people, each land. People were sick, hospitals full, Doctors overwhelmed, no one in school. As winter gave way to the promise of spring, The virus raged on, touching peasant and king. People hid in their homes from the enemy unseen. They YouTubed and Zoomed, social-distanced, and cleaned. April approached and churches were closed. “There won’t be an Easter,” the world supposed. “There won’t be church services, and egg hunts are out. No reason for new dresses when we can’t go about.” Holy Week started, as bleak as the rest. The world was focused on masks and on tests. “Easter can’t happen this year,” it proclaimed. “Online and at home, it just won’t be the same.” Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the days came and went. The virus pressed on; it just would not relent. The world woke Sunday and nothing had changed. The virus still menaced, the people, estranged. “Pooh pooh to the saints,” the world was grumbling. “They’re finding out now that no Easter is coming. “They’re just waking up! We know just what they’ll do! Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, And then all the saints will all cry boo-hoo. “That noise,” said the world, “will be something to hear.” So it paused and the world put a hand to its ear. And it did hear a sound coming through all the skies. It started down low, then it started to rise. But the sound wasn’t depressed. Why, this sound was triumphant! It couldn’t be so! But it grew with abundance! The world stared around, popping its eyes. Then it shook! What it saw was a shocking surprise! Every saint in every nation, the tall and the small, Was celebrating Jesus in spite of it all! It hadn’t stopped Easter from coming! It came! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the world with its life quite stuck in quarantine Stood puzzling and puzzling. “Just how can it be?” “ It came without bonnets, it came without bunnies, It came without egg hunts, cantatas, or money.” Then the world thought of something it hadn’t before. “Maybe Easter,” it thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Easter, perhaps, means a little bit more.” And what happened then? Well....the story’s not done. What will YOU do? Will you share with that one Or two or more people needing hope in this night? Will you share the source of your life in this fight? The churches are empty - but so is the tomb, And Jesus is victor over death, doom, and gloom. So this year at Easter, let this be our prayer, As the virus still rages all around, everywhere. May the world see hope when it looks at God’s people. May the world see the church is not a building or steeple. May the world find Faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection, May the world find Joy in a time of dejection. May 2020 be known as the year of survival, But not only that - Let it start a revival.

And finally from Bill:

Just to say I'm getting really fed up about the current crisis.   I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic... told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over!  The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ........yes, you guessed it .....pull myself together. 

Relax and enjoy home today.