A tough week...

It has been a pretty tough week.

Esther's uncle died, and his funeral was on Tuesday in Cornwall (I could not go but Esther drove various family members).

On Friday we had a huge celebration service for the life of John Williams which has taken up a large amount of time and energy, with over 250 in attendance from all over the country. It was a simply wonderful occasion, and yet so desperately sad.

On Saturday night our church centre was broken into. Just the usual hacking away at doors with a crowbar and not really nicking anything but it still grates.

On Sunday morning I preached on "Turn the other cheek".

On Monday I visited my Grandad in hospital. It was so sad. He winked at me, and kissed my hand. That was my last encounter with him, it did not need words.

On Tuesday I felt really quite unwell, so went to the doctor's this morning. I have got to have some blood tests and an ECG next week. My blood pressure is fine and the doctor is not expecting anything nasty but I still feel a bit jaded.

This morning I also found out that grandad had died. So that is where I am going now, off to Wrexham to be with the family.

On Friday we read this Psalm, as a tribute to John whose love of mountains had taken him to the top of Mont Blanc. The words are strong comfort now.

" ¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

² My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore."