This is a time of year when many people sigh with relief, ahhhh! The winter darkness has passed and the torrents of spring rain have watered the early-planted gardens. Now we weed, and wait for the long, lazy days of summer.
In many church communities this is a time of year when we take time to say thank you for the ministry shared over the past 10 months. Messy Church has a picnic and pool party, the men's fellowship hosts a yummy BBQ, Coffee Hour adds lemonade to the menu, and yet the people of God continue to serve as they respond with thankfulness for the many blessings given to us by God.
There are also still difficult decisions to be made, illness to battle and loneliness to endure but even here God has promised to be with us. God, I believe, suffers with us as we grieve and struggle - but never leaves us. Perhaps we see God's presence through the eyes and hands of friends or neighbours - but the promise of God's abiding presence is true.
So, in the spirit of thankfulness for God's goodness and the compassion of friends and neighbours, let me add a word to you, the readers of the Optimist, for the work you do in this community that make it such a wonderful and rich community in which to live.
With gladness we work and play in this spectacular part of God's creation to bring life and hope to all who we meet.
