We were fortunate to have tickets to an open-air performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream staged in Framlingham Castle this week. Doors opened at 6pm for a 7.30 performance to allow time to picnic.
I looked at the set for Shakespeare’s well-known play, performed over so many years in all sorts of places. I contemplated the gathering of people, all prepared for a cold evening and possibly a wet one, though it stayed dry. The ancient castle walls have seen all sorts of history and there we all were, just as though the last eighteen month had never happened.
Is that what we mean when we talk about the stability that faith brings? Do we mean riding the waves and dropping into the troughs only to pop up again just as before? Had we asked any of the people present, all would have had stories to tell about COVID, some heart-breaking and some challenging. And then again, what about the history locked into the fabric of ancient places; does it matter or is ait all yesterday?
I am a believer in the need to reflect on yesterday to be prepared for tomorrow. To draw strength for today from yesterday’s tales and strive today to reach out to tomorrow’s dreams.
It seems almost too good to be true but there really are signs of a return to more normal things, routine things, ordinary things. For all the hopes and dreams, if I have learned a lesson, it is to be truly grateful for the ordinary. People counting the cost to the health of long-COVID would doubtless share a wish for average strength and vitality.
A prayer
God, when we find ourselves bored by average things, pale colours or unexciting days, help us not to forget those who ache for normal strength and the health to be part of the crowd. We pray that you will strengthen those who are living with protracted effects of illness and struggling with the daily round. We thank you for what we have. Amen.