Dear All,

The summer is a great time for journeys, a popular time for holidays.  We have found some reflections that touch on this theme – physical journeys as well as journeys of the heart, strong in metaphor.  Holidays give us time for reflection, whether it is ‘going away’ type of holidays or ones at home when we are more able to relax, have less pressure & generally do things that please us.  We hope you find something here to enjoy.

The blessing this week is ‘The Hand of God’ by Marty Haugen. Let us include in our blessing today all those who have been part of our journey – a physical journey or a journey of the heart in the last few weeks.

With love

 

 

Jeremiah. 6. 16.

Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls.

 

 

Journey of Trust

When we plant a seed in the soil

or when a caterpillar spins a cocoon,

there is no way of telling what is going on inside

or exactly how long the wait is going to be.

We can’t dig up the seed to check if there’s growth

or slip open the cocoon and peep inside

because each of these actions could cause death.

We can’t peer into the tomb of our self

and see if something grows in there either.

It’s truly a journey of trust

in the transformative process.

All kinds of inner stirrings go on,

but we simply can’t detect them taking place.

I trust that growth is taking place within me as I journey on.

 

Journeying

Susan Sayers

 

Think over the promise that Jesus has made to you: Look I am with you always, yes, to the end of time.

We are a pilgrim people, a travelling people, followers of the Way.

And ‘I am the Way’, says the Lord.

Lord, not only do you lead the way; you are the Way.  Through you & in you, is the Way of Love; through you & in you is the Way of Life.

 

Whatever the terrain of your life-journey, you can walk it in the company of Jesus, so that he becomes your route.  You can travel on him, in him & with him.

 

Lord, you have always led your people, & travelled with them.  You called Abraham from the city to the desert.  Jacob discovered your closeness in his loneliness as he fled from Esau; when Moses & the people of Israel travelled in the wilderness, you went before them always – a pillar of cloud by day & by night a pillar of fire. 

 

You are there at our going out & our coming in, & we thank you.  When our lives are at a crossroads, you will be our signpost.  When we are lost & don’t know our way out – you are there.  When the road is uphill & steep, we can lean on you.  When our lives are nearing their end – you will be there.  Lord, you are our Way.

 

 

The Road Not Taken 

Robert Frost

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.