July 2005

The cold winds of June, interspersed with the hot sunshine, have not fooled Natures' burgeoning into summer. My particular joy, as the new growth unfolds, is to see what has planted itself in my garden of its own volition. This year I have a magnificent dill plant (good for fish dishes). I would never have thought of planting this specimen near to my statue of St Francis and under the newly pruned apple tree.

It seems to me that ones life is somewhat like a garden. It throws up all sorts of unexpected events, both good and bad. The one constant factor is that there is always change and therefore in my way of thinking, hope.

However, without the belief that life continues after death, so much of what happens in our lives would seem pointless. Also without the understanding that God is Love, and loves his creation, many wrong and cruel things have been and are done in His name. The verse from the hymn by Percy Dearmer (1867-1936) says it all as only a poet can:

God is Love, his the care
Tending each everywhere.
God is Love, all is there.
Jesus came to show Him
That mankind might know him.