Thought for the Week

The wind screamed across the ocean, there was little sand and what there was came flying across the beach blinding us in its path.

The beach at A’Chleit became a foaming mass as the mountainous waves pounded it relentlessly.

We could not hear ourselves speak as the wind roared and the sea crashed onto the shore.

Our collies looked as if they would go into orbit as they tried to walk through the tracks across the top of the beach.

For the sake of safety, we had to give up and head back to the car.

It was then that we decided we might be better on the north side of the church and with heads down into the wind and hoods drawn tight, we headed for the church.

Battling the elements, we went round the back of the church, and with great relief we found shelter.

As we stood there with the rain dripping from us and feeling a little respite from the biting cold of the wind, I thought about being in the shelter of the church – round the back.

I reflected on the Christmas just past when Jesus and his family found shelter ‘round the back’ of the inn.

It was good to find shelter ‘round the back’ and it seemed to have such significance.

Jesus’ life was a life spent with those who lived ‘round the back’ – the humble ones, the poor ones, the unassuming ones, the ones who were there for each other. What a good place to shelter.

We watched the storm clouds gather and wondered at these storm-tossed birds which could actually fly in such conditions.

And then we saw a rainbow.