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As I write, my second son Andrew, has just finished his Year 6 SATS. That can only mean one thing, he’s growing up and come this September he’ll be starting Secondary School! Where has the time gone?

Over the past few weeks he’s been sat at the dining room table going through worksheets and practice questions, getting ready for the tests. It’s that time of year when young people up and down the country will be taking important exams. For some its end of year tests, for others its GSCE’s or A Levels. Our prayers go out to those who we know that are preparing for these important tests. I can remember only too well, the endless hours of revision, desperately trying to remember the things I had been taught in lessons and also wishing I’d listening more or made better notes!!

I also remember the words my Dad used to say to me before I took any exam, it was always the same pep talk, ‘Just do your best, as long as you give it your best no-one can ask any more of you’.

Give it your best! Giving it my best wouldn’t have been simply turning up in the exam hall and trying hard then would it? No, giving my best meant a lot of hard work in the months and weeks leading up to that exam. There is no substitute for hard work!

It’s the same with the Christian faith. We need to put in the hard work if we’re going to see the results. How can we expect to deepen and develop our relationship and our understanding of God if we don’t spend time ‘revising’ or reading the ‘text book’ (read; Bible). This is where House Groups are so important, they provide the opportunity to work through bible passages with others, to share together and time to pray together – they provide opportunity for learning and growth! If you would like to join one of our house groups please do get in touch. I wonder, when did you last read your bible? When did you last spend some quality time engaging with God? When did you last pray?

As Christians it’s so important to develop the discipline of making time to be with God. How that might work, will look very different for each person. What works for one person won’t work for another. The important thing though, is making sure we find time for God in the busyness of our lives. I remember, as a youngster, being struck by this poem which used to hang on our kitchen wall.

Time to Pray

I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish, that I didn’t have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task. “Why doesn’t God help me?” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, grey and bleak; I wondered why God didn’t show me. He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock. God gently and lovingly chided, “My child, you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning, and paused before entering the day; I had so much to accomplish, that I had to take time to pray. (Author unknown)

One Comment

  • Penny France says:

    Dear Ian,
    Your words really struck a chord with me on many levels: SATs, house groups and your thought provoking family prayer-
    how often this is me, and is it any wonder that the day crumbles around me?
    So I am going to put that poem both next to my bed and on my office wall and make sure I make time for Him at the start of the day… after all Marcus cup of tea can always wait!!!!!!!
    Penny x

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