faithbook     A message for quiet meditation

by JAN FARROW, Lay Reader at Holy Epiphany

 

 

I wonder, have you ever played Pooh Sticks? Standing on a bridge, two or more of you drop your sticks into the water, then rush to the other side to see whose stick makes it through first. I played it as a child as well as with my own children, and of course my grandchildren. A. A. Milne wrote the first collection of stories in 1926 and they are as popular now as they were then, as is the game of Pooh Sticks. It’s a game that can be enjoyed by the youngest, right through to the eldest; it does not rely on skill (well not too much), but you might have to hang onto the young ones to make sure they don’t actually fall into the river! It’s innocent, doesn’t cost anything, does not involve special clothing or shoes, and above all, you don’t have to plug it in to an electric socket.

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If the pandemic has taught us anything it is to look for a simpler lifestyle. We live in an always-connected world - I for one am all zoomed out! Maybe we have begun to realise just how important it is to unplug and focus on human, face-to-face interactions as we remove our masks - how lovely it is to see people smiling again. We need each, other and the deepest connections are formed in person. It’s what we have so missed. I sometimes wonder if Jesus was to return and walk the streets of Bournemouth, would he have an I Pad, engage with Twitter, have a long list of friends on Facebook? I don’t know, perhaps he would be homeless sleeping on the streets, it’s not something we can second guess. Jesus calls each of us as individuals to engage with those around us; we are called to simply put Him at the centre of our lives so we reflect his love, care and compassion to those around us.

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With love and Blessings