Today’s prayers begin with a bit of a remembered psalm:

God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble

At the first refuge box

As the tide rises
God is our refuge.
As the tide falls
God is our strength.
As the posts mark the way
God is present, our companion.

See the small pools and the mud:
God’s own for the world.
See the posts and the pilgrims:
God’s own for the world.
See the way and the footsteps :
It is God’s way and we will try to follow it.

In the boiler house chapel of St Cuthbert

It’s still OK to take stuff with me
From the tradition in which I grew,
It’s still OK to travel onwards,
Explore, be challenged, encounter new.
It’s still OK to leave stuff here now
In this warming tiny cell.
It’s still OK, someone may want it:
Hear the echo: All is well.

Back at the refuge box

Across the sands the seals sing
By the bridge the Heron stands
Keeping pace with the tide times
The pilgrims cross the sands.

Be still And know that I am God

Now in this small refuge,
God is close to me,
Encouraging my resting,
Still as the flat calm sea.

On Holy Island,  21.05.2018