A thought for February from Revd Tom

Dear friends,

As I am sure that many of you know, the Reverend Anne Newport, the Associate Priest of Kings Somborne, has now moved on to new things.  On behalf of the Braishfield Benefice I want to thank Anne for her service here and wish her every happiness for the future. Anne touched many lives during her time here with us and, therefore, will be missed across this community and our sister parish of Kings Somborne. The process of appointing a new Associate Priest for King’s Somborne has begun although it is most likely to take a number of months until a new person can take up the post.

In other news, the wider world does seem unusually unsettled at present and that can take its toll on our wellbeing, making us anxious and fearful at times. And that is a shame because we are at the beginning of a new year and that is a time that naturally lends itself to thinking about fresh starts and renewal.  It is the season for resolutions, some of which might even last until February! However, the grey skies quickly seem to say that life is ‘business as usual’ despite our initial enthusiasm. 

Now, I have been very struck by how much good news there is to celebrate, and it seems that despite the media’s best efforts, there are things to be joyful about in life. So instead of thinking about losing weight, or taking up jogging, what about making a new resolution? What about resolving to find something joyful, something surprising in every day? It seems to me that we often forget that God created a wonderful world for us, and He does not want us to live in it in a state of anxiety or pessimism. For sure, there are bad times as well as good, but each day holds its own surprise and we can only see, hear, or feel it when it comes if we are looking out for it. So let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, because it will open a new place in our hearts, where we can welcome new friends and begin to change our world….. one day at a time.

God bless,

Tom