LETTERS
POET’S CORNER A PRAYER FOR LENT AND SPRINGTIME LORD of green and growing spring – Whose gentle power Waylays us in an unexpected flower – Today we bring Garlands of mingled hope and fear; But you are here, Though fears prevail and hopes are few: God of springtime, make us new.
SOUP, GLORIOUS SOUP! THIS terrible coronavirus pandemic hit us and what did I do? I made soup. A thick, delicious, vegetable stew with a pinch of chilli. I called a friend from the corps to see how they were coping and she had made soup too. What is it about soup? It’s nourishing, quick to make, easy to eat, tasty, warming and basically makes you feel better. For the first time in my life, I am not allowed to go to the meetings, which was frightening at first. Then the phone rang and Major Gethin Thomas shared Scripture and prayers over the telephone. It was just like my homemade soup: so comforting. Keep safe folks. Jill Jones Pentre
Christ of sad and solemn Lent, We watch you go Towards a cruel trial whose end we know; And so present New wreaths of joy to crown your pain: For you will reign. Such is our faith – so strangely true: God of springtime, make us new. Almighty Victor, Easter King – Who played and won, And proved that love sustains the stars and sun – We dare to bring Our fragile lives for grace to fill With glad goodwill; And speak, in simplest love, with you. God of springtime, make us new. From A Garland For The Passion by John Coutts
AND ON SUNDAY HE FEASTED
A CURE FOR SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
IN response to the letter ‘Counting down the days...’ (Salvationist 21 March), I was taught many years ago that Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for six and a half weeks. Lent itself only lasts for 40 days, and is a time to remember the 40 days and nights that Jesus spent in the wilderness without food being tempted by the Devil. The last day of Lent is Easter Saturday. The author of the letter answered his own question when he asked if he could have Saturday or Sunday off, as Sundays do not count in the Lent calculations. David Helm Thornaby
WAKING up in the middle of the night and lying sleepless for hours in the midst of this pandemic? Instead of fretting and worrying, sing songs and choruses over in your head. Two old choruses from my childhood come to mind. ‘With Christ In The Vessel, We Can Smile At The Storm’, from my days in the juniors. We sang it with gusto and when we got to the refrain ‘sailing, sailing home’, we would link arms and sway. I grew up in Guernsey, so we could even look out the window and see the sea. I have certainly experienced many ‘rough seas’ on my journey through life. I have been so glad to know that Jesus is with me, and he has given me the grace to weather the storm and smile again. The other chorus is ‘My Lord Knows The Way Through The Wilderness’. These days are certainly like a wilderness experience, with no charted way through. We could so easily be fearful and downcast, as many understandably are. But I remember the wanderings of the children of Israel through the wilderness. God was with them, brought them through and met their needs. He is with us. We must trust him to bring us through. So next time you have a sleepless night, sing some favourite songs or choruses and replace fear with faith! Barbara Lyne Major Bournemouth Salvationist 4 April 2020
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