St Mary's Rostherne

As I write this article we are in the middle of a heat wave in June – I am writing it VERY early as I am away for the first two weeks in July and would then miss the deadline for the August magazine, if I delayed it till my return – or I would have to write it on my first day back!!

August is a month of transition. For many of us, it means holidays, sunny afternoons, and a change of pace from our usual routines. It is a time when the demands of work and daily life might quieten down slightly, offering us a rare and precious gift: time to breathe. However, over my ministry I have found that August is just as busy as the rest of the year; there will inevitably be fewer people in the congregation but there will still be the rounds of Home Communions, Care Home Visits, Weddings, Funerals etc.

In our busy, digitally connected world, we often feel the need to constantly do something to be productive. Yet, the Bible places a profound emphasis on simply being. In the Gospels, Jesus regularly retreated from the crowds to lonely places to pray and connect with His Father. He invited His weary disciples to “come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Last week in my Collective Worship at Little Bollington Primary School I talked about rest and the need to take time out. The teachers then admitted that they do talk to the children about looking after themselves with exercise, eating well, treating each other with care – BUT they had never talked about the need to stop, take time out and rest.

If Jesus, in His earthly ministry, recognized the necessity of rest, how much more do we also need to take note?

So, as you navigate this August, consider viewing your summer break not just as an escape from your routine, but as an intentional opportunity for spiritual renewal. Here are a few ways to invite God into your summer slowing-down – but there are many other ways and a simple internet search will furnish you with lots of ideas.

Embrace Stillness: Take a few moments each day to sit quietly without your phone, a book, or a to-do list. Listen to nature, breathe deeply, and be conscious of God’s presence with you.

Enjoy Creation: Whether you are walking through the beautiful Cheshire countryside near Rostherne, Little Bollington, Over Tabley, Dunham Massey or visiting the coast, or simply sitting in your garden, take time to appreciate the beauty of the world around you that God has made.

Reflect and Read: Summer is a wonderful time to dig into a new devotional book, spend extra time in scripture, or journal your thoughts and prayers. Connect Differently: Use the relaxed schedule to catch up with friends, family, or neighbours over a cup of tea or a picnic.

Rest is not a luxury; it is a spiritual discipline that reminds us that we are human beings, not human doings. It teaches us to trust that God is holding the world together, even when we step away from our labour. God himself took a rest on the seventh day of creation, a rest to step back and look at all that he had made, and to see that it was good.

As we enjoy these warmer days and the slower rhythm of the season, let us remember to rest in God's love, allowing Him to refresh our spirits, restore our energy, and prepare us for the autumn ahead.

Wishing you all a blessed, peaceful, and restorative August!

Yours in Christ

Robert

St Mary's Rostherne

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