Knowing that God cares can make a difference

On how August is full of surprises despite claims to the contrary

IT’S often said that nothing much happens in August! After all, the schools and colleges are in recess and it’s the main month for holidays with many comings and goings.

Politically, with Westminster and the Welsh Senedd closed for business, there’s an air of those hazy lazy days of summer around.

Historically, of course, a lot has been going on in August. A recent article by Philip Johnston was a reminder that while we have been making our way to the beach some of the biggest stories and events actually happened in this the last month of summer.

In 1914 the First World War began, in 1945 atom bombs were dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Vietnam war broke out in 1964. Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe both died in August not to mention the great train robbery in 1963. In 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait and of course Diana, Princess of Wales tragically died on August 31 1997.

August, of course, does not have the monopoly on world events and next month the political wheels will begin again, taking us on a journey to even more political change. By the end of this month the wearisome campaign for the leadership of the Conservative party will, thankfully, come to an end.

Then again, the excitement of the Commonwealth Games with Wales eighth on the medal table with an impressive tally of 28 medals is something to celebrate.

The Lionesses roared at Wembley with record breaking attendance and an equally impressive world audience has certainly raised the profile of women’s football. There is, of course, still a couple of weeks left and who knows what’s in store for us. Already there’s talk of soaring temperatures and with the first games of the Premier League having thrown up some surprises, there’s much more to look forward to.

This month, like every other, is all to do with variety and unpredictability. The Bible says there’s a time for every season and whatever happens faith can instil hope and the assurance that we are never alone. Life, more often than not is a combination of joy and of sadness, of confidence and feelings of vulnerability.

Knowing that God cares can make that difference. Jesus said “I will be with you even to end of the age” – winter, spring or summer – that’s the promise of faith and the joy we can then know in all the seasons of our lives.