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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rachel Gardner, director of a charity which specialises in innovative youth work.

Good morning.

This month marks the end of my maternity leave. Or as my seven year old daughter brilliantly mispronounces it, ‘Eternity Leave.’ I too wish it could go on for a bit longer. This time last year we embarked on adopting our second child, a little boy, who has brought with him so much joy and energy. Like every parent or carer, there are days when the tasks of looking after another little person can seem endless. Then there are other days when time seems to be moving too fast and we just want to freeze this brilliant moment forever.

The Bible tells us that God has ‘set eternity in the human heart.’ It’s the desire within us for more and the aptitude we have to ponder the massive scope of life and seek out what truly satisfies.

To a woman at a well, collecting water at the hottest part of the day to avoid contact with the community who despised her, Jesus offered water that will never run out. To the master of ceremonies at a wedding running out of wine, Jesus offered the best liquor money could buy. To the crowds on the hillside, hungry for his teaching and desperate for something to eat, Jesus offered a feast from one boy’s picnic.

Jesus is saying ‘with God there is always more.’ The constant yearning we have in life, God can satisfy.

These ancient words of Augustine of Hippo sum it up. ‘Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee. Amen.

Or in the Message Translation of the words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.

Amen

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