FROM REVEREND ROBIN                                                                 

It has been a couple of months since I last wrote in the magazine, I would like to say it was because I have been off saving the world dressed in a smart tuxedo, drinking vodka martinis, and coming up with devastating lines designed to be both witty and cutting when the villain of the piece explains the entire process of his evil operation to me moments before I put an end to his evil ways.  I would like to say this, but then if I was doing this, I wouldn’t be able to say, so maybe I was doing this and this is just some kind of elaborate double bluff. The kind a certain secret spy might use?????

I would also like to say it was because I was away building facilities for impoverished nations, delivering much needed medical aid to places in need, spreading the word of God openly and proudly to those places where Christians are persecuted, arrested, or worse for their faith, or even helping sift through the rubble of places destroyed by natural disasters.

The reality however is that even in our little villages here in Cornwall, there is so much to do.  We hear on the news daily of the pain and suffering of many.  We see images of things that no one should ever have to experience and we may feel guilt about complaining about our lives when compared to others. But grief is still grief, pain is still pain, hurt is still hurt, and love is still love, no matter where you live or what is happening in the world around you.

Recently my days have been filled with funeral visits, visiting the sick and the dying, and comforting the grieving. These things, while wholly unique to the person going through them, are universal in their cause and need.

There will always be times when we are struggling with something, such is life, and there will be times when we see what is going on in the world around us and feel bad for feeling bad when X, Y, or Z has it so much worse. But you are just as important in the eyes of God. Just as loved. Just as worthy. While we may be so fortunate to live in a place where every year what feels like millions of people who don’t know how to reverse come down to sample a taste of Cornish life. Our lives go on, and with that comes all the joy and the pain, the love and the loss, the stillness and the stress.

There are so many troubles in this world, and thank God there are people, charities, and NGOs willing and able to go out and help those in need across the globe. They do amazing work and provide so much to others. But you matter as well.

So, I pray and give thanks for all who dedicate their lives to helping people across the world as well as all those who help those in need next door, down the road, in the neighbouring village. While the work you do may not make the headlines, it is important. We may not be able to change the world but by our actions we can change it for one person.  I’m off now, possibly to put on my tux and fight evil, or possibly to light a candle in the church for all those who are suffering. Both are as important as each other.