The Rev Heather Macdonald
August 2002


How many of us have woken up recently and thought, ‘On no! not another cloudy wet day’. As someone said to me the other day - "I am sick of waking up in cloud and sitting in cloud all day!" When the little bits of sunshine come through, I feel like a new wee flower opening up to the light and warmth. This year especially it just seems to go on and on. We here at St Philips, are even considering building an ark for a fund raiser and selling tickets. lol.

The one positive comment I have heard about recent weather is - well look at the good side at least the lakes will be full and power won’t go up.

Recently they have even come up with a name for those of us who get depressed with this type of weather - a particularly apt name - SAD. I am not sure what the letters stand for but I am sure it has something to do with sun and deprivation.

As we look around we can see that there is another type of ‘sun’ deprivation - the lack of Jesus in one’s life. Just as the sun comes out and shines and makes us feel warm and good - so too does Jesus, the Son of God make a difference to each one of us in our lives.

2000 years ago God sent his Son to come to Earth - born in a stable at Christmas. Jesus came as the light to the world. That light continues to shine into the dark recesses of this world today. When Jesus came he never promised that things would be easy but he did promise to be with us to the end of time, as most of us who are familiar with the ‘Footsteps’ poem know.

I know it certainly makes a difference in my life - that even though the storm clouds are closing in at times - Jesus is there for me. My ‘Son’ in the dark times. My Light in the darkness. In the words of Jesus …

Jesus said, "I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life." - John 8:12

That Light is there for all of us, just for the asking.

Arohanui

Heather