Pause for Thought May 2026
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’ (Matthew 8: 23-27)
From my office window I can see across Kirkcudbright Harbour, watching the fishing boats as they leave the relative calm of the estuary and head out into open water. It is always a compelling sight. While the harbour may look peaceful, we know that beyond it lies a far harsher and more unpredictable environment — one that carries very real risk.
Fishing remains one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK. Around 11,000 people work on fishing vessels, often in extreme conditions, to bring ashore food that sustains us all. Behind every boat is a family, and behind every journey is hope mixed with anxiety.
Alongside the harbour is the very poignant wooden sculpture 'The Mother and Child', which captures something of that waiting — the longing, the courage, and the quiet fear of those watching from the shore. It speaks of the hope that today will be a safe return, alongside the unspoken fear that it may not be.
This month marks the third official National Fishing Remembrance Day, which will be observed with an open‑air service at Kirkcudbright Harbour on 10th May at 2.30pm. It is a time when the fishing community and the wider town gather together to honour those who have lost their lives at sea. Their absence is deeply felt, and their memory continues to shape families and communities across generations.
It is striking that some of Jesus’ first disciples were fishermen, intimately familiar with the sudden changes of the sea. Yet even they were overwhelmed by the storm on Lake Galilee. Their fear was real, and so they woke Jesus, crying out for help. While they panicked, Jesus slept — not through indifference, but through trust in the Father who held them all.
When Jesus stood and rebuked the wind and the waves, there was a great calm. The storm did not have the final word. For us, this story is a reminder that, whatever storms we face, Christ is with us. He does not abandon us to the chaos, but holds us safe, guiding us through danger with love and faithfulness.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of the sea and the work it provides.
We ask for Your protecting presence over every voyage.
Guard boats from storms, bodies from injury, and spirits from fear.
Guide all who work upon the water, keeping them safe from hidden dangers,
and bring them home again with gratitude and peace. Amen