A Moment To Pause: Thursday 16th July 2026

Welcome to A Moment to Pause this Thursday 16th of July. How wonderful it is in everyday life when we actually have a moment to pause, to take some time out for yourself, a moment to slow down, to take a breather. These are always welcome and precious moments in our day when we can experience, even if fleetingly, a sense of stillness, peace and calm.  In today's scripture reading from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 11:28-30, Jesus invites us, saying, “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” So much of life can be a series of tasks to be completed, appointments to attend, or simply struggling to get through the day or night where responsibilities, anxieties, sickness and loss can leave us with a feeling of life being an uphill struggle.  My daughter, a young mother, asked me, “does it get easier?” I had to answer her honestly - “Well, it just changes.” But for me, I have found that when I invite the Lord into the toil, the struggle, the striving, when I'm troubled or weighed down or feel overloaded or fraught, that this does change things. Where I am given the graces I need to not feel overburdened, or where a sense of unexpected ease, peace, stillness and calmness floods in unexpectedly. So, Lord Jesus, help us this day to lean on you, to uphold us and refresh us with your saving help. Amen. Thanks for joining us this morning.