As a small child  I lived in the East End of London during the Second World War. The Blitz, which commenced in 1940, meant that London was under constant attack from enemy bombers, night after night. The overwhelming feeling amongst those living there was one of fear. Whose home would be reduced to rubble by bombing tonight? Would it be ours? Would we survive the night? Something as simple as getting to sleep at night was difficult for everyone, let alone a small child. Mother would make sure we said our prayers before she lit a small candle which she placed in a saucer of water. The candle burned through the night and was a source of comfort to us. In the morning it might still be flickering. We would blow it out for use on the following nights.

Today, we need that same comfort support and hope since the coronavirus requires us to stay at home, venturing out only to buy food or to exercise. When the Deputy Chief Medical Officer says that it may be six months before things return to normal one does wonder how sane we will all be by then! But there is hope since even in the darkest days of the Blitz morning dawned as it always did.

So, just as the small lighted candle in a saucer comforted us through the dark days as children, in St John's Gospel we read: The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5 NRSV. Note that phrase: the darkness did not overcome it. Just as the Second World War came to an end, so this pandemic will end, in God's good time.

Please pray for those suffering as a result of this coronavirus outbreak and hold on to this very important verse: be content with what you have for he has said I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 NRSV.

​May God walk with you  and keep you safe. .