Advent Sunday – walk. It’s part of the Via Dolorosa. I took it in an attempt to show how steep the walk was that Jesus took whilst carrying the cross. – Helen Evans

WALK

It is an irony that on this first day of Advent, for the first time in over 70 years, I’m finding it really difficult to learn to walk. 6 days ago a surgeon gave me a ‘new’ knee, as the old one was worn out. It’s a new beginning for me, and maybe by the time Christmas arrives I will be walking again without giving it a second thought. But at the moment, things look dark, and I can’t find much hope of that. But I noticed something new today as I was doing my exercises. Instead of the dull background ache and heaviness of my muscles being the predominant experience, I felt some small sharp shooting pains across my knee. I had heard that this is a positive sign, as it means that the  nerves in my leg are joining up. In a strange way, it feels as if they are communicating with each other!  In fact , it’s a small sign of real healing.

My prayer :  Dear Father,  we thank you for even the smallest signs of things to come. The world is such a dark and heavy place at the moment, and it can be hard to look forward with hope. But we can have faith that you will connect us to ourselves, to others, and to you, no matter how long it takes, because you will always love us and seek to heal our pain. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. — Annie Rowley