VIEW FROM THE PEW
Spring 2019
Lesley Coates Jones
"Lead us Heavenly Father, lead us...." words from the well known Hymn I first learnt at my grandmother's knee. And where now, Heavenly Father, have you brought me? Could I ever have imagined it would be a journey to India, where, had my father survived the second world war, it is likely I would have been born and brought up. Never, in my wildest dreams! The wonderful vibrant colours and flavours of such a culture are a gift to the creative soul, though they are not the first things to enter my head now: but rather, the utter kindness and warm generosity of a people who have the basic requirements of life. Their infectious joy in sharing with such happiness is truly humbling.
On the brink of Lent, and thinking about the "giving up " tradition which fashionably, is somewhat overtaken by " doing something good and positive" instead could perhaps be bettered by doing both of those in such a needy challenged world. We have a long traditional example of how the monastic life has pared down to simple needs. And the stark reality is that things which we hold very precious, slip right out of focus, when your soulmate and lifelong mentor is no longer by your side to share this ephemera, and the walk together is now spiritual and metaphorical. With God's infinite grace I am slowly making that journey out of the valley of the Shadow of Death. There are so many life affirming signs that herald the Spring, much to hope for as we allow our journey through Lent to re-form us and carry us to the crescendo that Easter brings, the most important celebration of the Christian year.
Thank God for His goodness, Happy Easter to all my lovely family and friends and thankyou all for your loving care and support. God Bless, love Lesley x
On the brink of Lent, and thinking about the "giving up " tradition which fashionably, is somewhat overtaken by " doing something good and positive" instead could perhaps be bettered by doing both of those in such a needy challenged world. We have a long traditional example of how the monastic life has pared down to simple needs. And the stark reality is that things which we hold very precious, slip right out of focus, when your soulmate and lifelong mentor is no longer by your side to share this ephemera, and the walk together is now spiritual and metaphorical. With God's infinite grace I am slowly making that journey out of the valley of the Shadow of Death. There are so many life affirming signs that herald the Spring, much to hope for as we allow our journey through Lent to re-form us and carry us to the crescendo that Easter brings, the most important celebration of the Christian year.
Thank God for His goodness, Happy Easter to all my lovely family and friends and thankyou all for your loving care and support. God Bless, love Lesley x
