As I write these few words it’s a wild, wet, and windy day—words from a famous hymn spring to mind “change and decay in all around I see”. Autumn is well upon us and winter is just around the corner. Squirrels in my garden are hiding the impressive crop of walnuts ready for hard times, and if even some of the country sayings are to be believed, the heavy crop of berries indicates that the weather may be harsh. Like life, really; good times and hard times—we cannot have it all our own way, nor bask in sunshine for ever. Maybe if we did we wouldn’t appreciate it as much anyway.

Then another line from that same hymn strikes me “O Thou who changest not abide with me”. For Christians there is that hope, that promise, that can make all the difference when the winter of our lives arrives like an icy blast. Even when (maybe especially when) we walk through “the valley of the shadow of death” we know that God is with us. What happens might not be changed — God doesn't intervene, zapping someone with illness and someone else with a Lottery win—but His presence, and the prayers of the faithful, can (DO) make a difference. We have unending LOVE, and unceasing support to rely on. And we also have a loving and understanding Heavenly Father to whom and at whom we can shout and rage.

Looking at the world around us and reading the news reports we cannot but be mystified, horrified, indeed overwhelmed by the misery endured, apparently needlessly, by so many around the world. Our hand in our pocket can do some good, and relieve a little of the pain for some, but there are millions of people who slip through the net of charitable support. We can at least pray for them and ask the God support them wherever they are and whatever their situation.

The hymn I’ve already quoted continues “In life, in death O Lord abide with me”. Maybe that’s all that can sustain our hopes when the chips are really down; when we look at the dreadful situation in Syria; the refugees crowding into over-laden boats hoping to get to Europe; the individuals, military and civilian, killed in war. We cannot change their situation—though we need to keep on trying to—but we can know that despite what they endure they are loved, valued, and treasured by God, and remembered constantly by those of us with an ounce of compassion.