18/08/2026
Rev Mary Turnock's reflection for this week.
Miracles still happen! Well, not exactly a miracle but certainly something totally unexpected. I may have reported a long time ago (at least 12 months) that my pond had been emptied of all its fish by a beautiful, if unwanted, heron. I waited a few days in case there were some survivors and then decided the pond could remain devoid of fish in the hope of other wildlife taking over. Over the past weeks, the pond has also suffered a depletion in water level, and there is very little clear water at all.
A few days ago I heard a ‘plop’ as I walked past the pond – at last, a frog I decided. A few plops have been heard over the following days….but no sign of the frog! Then, today, I caught sight the ‘plopper’ – not a frog at all but a goldfish! Indeed, there were two goldfish swimming happily in the deeper end of the pond. How amazing that, beyond all expectation, some small fry had survived the onslaught of the heron and are now showing themselves as adult fish. Sorry, water company, but I hurriedly put a couple of gallons of water into the pond as I contemplated the wonder of nature and how these small animals had survived without any interference or help from me. I now have to purchase some fish-food to replace that which I gave away!
As I look around our sad world at the moment, I have renewed hope that nature will bounce back from the destruction which we have brought upon it by our selfish use and abuse of the world’s resources, And I am also reminded that the Good Lord is ever ready to allow us to bounce back from our neglect or mis-use of His glory and authority. However far we may roam from his love and care He never gives up on us and there is always the opportunity to find renewal of faith and abundance of life within His loving presence. So, if there’s anybody out there who’s thinking “It’s too late” just, like my fish, test the water and discover that you can swim with the arms of the Lord to support you.
As the chorus of an old hymn states - based on the scripture ‘ The eternal God is you refuge and under neath are the everlasting arms’ –
Leaning, Leaning Safe and secure from all alarms Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms
Or perhaps that should be : Swimming, swimming…………!
God bless, one and all.