Beginning and End

Today the web is filled with messages about Zimbabwe. Bishop Alan has blogged - and emailed - about Zimbabwe and reminded us of the need to pray for this country at a very significant time of both hope and fear. The statistics and information about Zimbabwe are deeply concerning and it seems to me this is a time to pray for all the people of that nation.
Ironically, I was called upon to be more celebratory today with a wedding at All Saints' for a couple of African origin. Zimbabwe was mentioned. It was a time of joy with great ululations accompanying every amen.
Tears and laughter can often sit closely together and they do for Zimababwe. As we pray for them we must also find a way to rejoice with them. It is important that they are honoured as people and not treated as vistims. We will pray. We must also hope.

After the wedding I had to join the sons of Ken Moore to plan the service on Friday. They are discovering marmalade everywhere! The latest plan seems to be to dish out marmalade to all those who attend the funeral - a fitting memorial I suspect.
Once again, sorrow and joy are intertwined - there often seems to be an overlap. How can you mourn when God has given so much? How can you laugh when someone you love is taken away?
In the end we laughed because the hope of Christ does make a difference...

Please pray for Zimbabwe this weekend and for all those who live with hope and fear; conflict and peace; beginning and end.