July 2010

Recently I met a wonderful woman in hospital. She had had bowel cancer a year or so ago and had had a chunk of her bowels removed and a stoma bag fitted with all the awkwardness that entails. But more recently the surgeon had tried to reverse the operation, and now after three unsuccessful attempts she had had to realise that she would have to live with that stoma bag for the rest of her life. However instead of being disappointed, depressed or angry, she had decided that she would live her life as an inspiration to all those who had to cope with stoma bags, demonstrating what a full life that would be, and how she could still work in her garden and be involved in village and church activities. She was already talking to others in the ward about her experiences.

Dag Hammarskjold, the United Nations Secretary General, used to pray "For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes." I don't always find it easy to pray that prayer when things go wrong, although I try to. It is a sign of maturity when we can cope with whatever life throws at us, and use it for good, and perhaps I still have some more growing up to do even at my age. But it is worth trying. When one door closes, so often we discover God has opened another for us.

I love June, but I am looking forward to July. It is a lovely time of year with the gardens in full swing. For the oldies it can be a time to go on holiday before schools break up. For the children there are the long evenings when you can play outside, exams are over, and there are the fun things to do in school as the end of term approaches. May you all have a wonderful summer.

God bless