We have four boys, far too many toys and an array of pets. I often feel like King
Canute attempting to hold back a sea of chaos. Teenagers don’t seem to be able to
see towels strewn on the floor or half-
Obviously one has to be hygienic, but I wonder whether the ability to live with a certain amount of chaos is actually quite a good thing. However well organised our lives are, the reality is that life is so often messy: we plan a trip out and the snow begins to fall; we arrange a meeting and sprain an ankle (as happened to me last week); we book a holiday and illness strikes.
Lent is a special time of prayer and reflection; a time to look inward at our lives and faith; a time to let go of some things that might keep us from following God. Perhaps our need for perfection and control might be one of these things? Can we trust God, even when life gets messy?
The Lent course this year (do come along) is based on the award winning film, The
King’s Speech, which beautifully portrays the frustration of King George as his desire
to speak perfectly was hampered by his speech impediment. With huge courage, effort
and trust in his loyal long-
There is a wonderful moment at the end of the film when he speaks falteringly to the nation on the brink of war and you see the faces of the people who recognise the struggle and pain he has been through himself.
Jesus himself identified totally with the weakness, suffering and struggles of all people through His death on the cross.
All too often we feel that we must present perfection to the world, to others and to God. Maybe this Lent we can put our faith in God and allow Him to use us though the reality of our messy imperfections to show His grace to the world?
Lent letter from the Rev Clare Hayns. (Clare also recommended these books for Lent)