Revd Miri Keen writes …

Reverend Miri Keen with Parish Council Chairman, Shaun Orpen

Thank you to all of you who have welcomed me and my husband Dave as we settle into our new home in the West Downland Benefice.  I’m very much looking forward to getting to know the communities in each of the six parishes and to exploring the beautiful countryside.  But over the last week the weather hasn’t been on my side!  I’m hoping we’ve seen the last of the snow and I’m looking forward to some warmer and sunnier weather.   Of course any bright sunshine will show up the damage that’s been done by the snow and ice along with all the usual springtime garden maintenance that’s needed. We need to get to know our ‘new to us’ garden and that will take the full cycle of the seasons, but for now there are shrubs to trim and bulbs to discover.  Before we know it we’ll be listening to the hum of the first lawnmower of the season!  
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I think that we can understand Lent in a similar way.  It’s our opportunity to allow Jesus, the light of the world, to shine on us so that we can take a careful look at our life and see what habits need to be cut back or pruned so that our spirits can flourish.  Just as the little plants underneath dense shrubs spring to life with extra sunlight, our souls will grow as we experience the warmth of God’s love for us.