On the One Hand, by Nigel Oakley

On the one hand, we’re in the season of Lent, where, at least nominally, we’re supposed to be giving something up, which all sounds a bit serious and sacramental. On the other hand, if the daffodils, primroses and crocuses are anything to go by, we’re definitely heading towards Spring. The evenings are lighter for longer, and the mood – well, mine anyway – starts to lift. 

Even if we haven’t got there yet in terms of the vernal equinox, the meteorologists tell us Spring has sprung: a season for joy and lightness; a season for celebration of the return of warmer weather, lighter evenings and even the occasional trip outside without a coat.

Sometimes, life can feel a little ‘mixed up.’ A little paradoxical. Despite what the news feeds try to tell us, life is not all bad all the time. In my experience, most of the time, life is lived in-between despair and euphoria. There are things in our lives, about ourselves, that we’d like to change – or have God help us change – but usually, even if it takes some looking for, there are things for which we can give thanks.

Yes, it can be – as Charles Dickens put it – ‘the best of times and the worst of times’ at the same time. We can be following the sacrificial path, but still rejoice that path is taking us through a beautiful, green park; or leading us into the dappled shade of a wood bursting with life.

It has taken most of the winter for the NHS to find out what was wrong with my feet that had stopped me taking part in my local walking groups’ winter programme, but now there is a plan in place (involving a series of exercises) and I am on the way to recovery. The enforced rest maybe hasn’t done much for my waistline, but I was able to spend more time tapping away at my laptop, creating more writing.

And of course, if we want a godly reminder of the mixture of ‘ups’ and ‘downs;’ there is always the rainbow – which can only exist when there is both sunshine and rain.

Nigel Oakley

 

Nigel was originally a Shropshire lad, being born and raised in Shrewsbury. His teaching career took him from the south-west of England to Teesside via Botswana, Africa. He has also served as World Development Officer for the Diocese of Durham for five years. Now settled back in the West Midlands, he spends his time writing novels, short stories, and other pieces – as well as sorting his house out!

His website is www.nigeloakleywrites.com