Dear Friends,
So wonderful to be back writing you this letter; of course, in some ways I have not been away as I have continued to worship at St James and live in Dursley. But there is something very special about presiding at the front and sharing the Eucharist with you - I have missed that privilege very much and it’s great to be with you again!
So what have I been doing these past few months? Being on maternity leave has been a joy and a gift. Casper is a delightful son and spending time with him and his big brother and sister has been a Blessing. But small babies mean that it is suddenly impossible to be as busy as before. The new role as an at-home-mum meant my priority was Casper and I was made to rest. Being unable to flit from place to place has given me the opportunity to reflect and ponder over my ministry and life in Dursley. It seems unbelievable that I am now at the end of my curacy and that something new is impending. Don’t worry, I am not about to go just yet, but I am aware that things will need to change soon as I start the process of applying for my next position.
Over the past few weeks I have been reminded of the story of Jesus walking on water and calling Peter to come to him and do likewise (Matthew 14: 22-33). Often this passage is used to talk about Faith but in this letter I want to look at trust. Trust is a key word for me at present. At times feel I need to take on all the pressures and stresses particularly as I seek my next role. Instead I need to trust and focus on God - I am not alone in this! In Matthew Peter doesn't begin to sink until he starts looking around at the wind and the waves. Taking our eyes off Jesus, and focusing on the difficult circumstances and stresses will allow our problems to get the better of us. But when we cry out to Jesus, he catches us by the hand and raises us above the seemingly impossible surroundings. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed by what life gives us and in today’s society (as I am sure was also the case in Jesus’) we are encouraged to be seen as ‘strong’ and not be emotional and needing help. Unable to cope with things and feeling stressed is to some a sign of weakness! However, feeling stressed and unable to cope at times is a part of life and we just need to remember that we can call out to God - Jesus is at hand!
We need to trust that God is in this with us, whatever we are struggling with or stressing over, we need not to think it’s all about ‘me’ doing this alone. Jesus said ‘Don’t be afraid…Take courage. I am here’.
In Matthew the disciples, even though they have spent much time with Jesus, don't recognize him in the storm, they thought he was a ghost. Sometimes we don't recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the middle of our ‘storms’. And when we do see him there we don’t always trust him to help us. I believe that with God’s help will are able to do some amazing things, we are able to cope with the biggest storms, and even for some walk on water!
For me during my curacy things have been safe, secure and concrete under my feet, but this will need to change as I step out in faith into the unknown. I will trust that when it feels hard and seemingly impossible to juggle my various roles I will hold out my hand and call to Jesus. I pray that this will be the case for you too! Please don’t try and struggle alone, trust in God and believe.
With love
from your Assistant Curate,
Skye