Thought for the Week

THE storms raged, the wind roared and the waves crashed on the shore, leaving the beach somewhere adrift in the ocean.

It was so good to come home after the last dog walk of the day, get all the waterproof gear off and the dogs dried.

One of the highlights of our time together over Christmas was watching the film Paddington.

What a delightful film it is and we all agreed it was one of the best we had seen in a long time.

It has a real feel-good factor and is a must see if you haven’t seen it already.

Now I know Paddington is not real, but what a lovely story it is.

We have experienced a year which globally has brought much concern and sadness across our world.

We have seen images of people fleeing for their lives and children numbed with shock and fear.

We have witnessed rejection of those who are different.

At the end of Paddington, the family protect him because he is different and embrace him in that difference.

The father, who originally didn’t want Paddington, says to those who would reject him: ‘He might be different, but he is one of us – he is family.’

If only we could apply this in our lives – locally and globally till we are all included – all family, all one, and unaware of any difference.

On this Hogmanay, my prayer is the one Jesus prayed – ‘that we would all be one’.

Let us extend that welcome to everyone and rejoice in our diversity and difference.

May you find many blessings waiting in 2017 and some lovely surprises.