January 2026

Going from strength to strength - even in January

Psalm 84: 5-7

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

January can be a grim month! Back to work after Christmas, dark days and early nights. Colds, sniffles and bugs. Then thge bills, renewals and invoices come in. There is not much going on in church, and candlemass is not until February.

I like the Psalms, as they are written from personal experience. This one is a belter and has been called one of the sweetest psalms. I suppose January copuld be a type of 'Valley of Baka' or veil of tears, meaning a difficult time to get through. The Psalmist encourages us to look foe wells and pools of water even in the dryest desert.

Many people have debt or other problems. Pehaps the church could set up a group to support members or look for local sources of advice, such as the Foodbank or Hands Together Ludlow to help.

January may be cold, costly and dark but there are things to look forward to: snowdrops, bulbs and days beginning to lengthen - at least the stress of Christmas is past!

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