Pause for Thought March 2026
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
(Revelation 22: 1-2)
This month I have been inspired by a book called Lent in Plain Sight by Jill Duffield. In it, she invites the reader to notice the ordinary objects that appear in the Gospel stories as Jesus journeys towards Jerusalem, and to allow these everyday things to shape a Lenten journey of prayer and reflection. What I have found particularly helpful is her encouragement to look again at what is already around us — to see familiar sights with fresh eyes, and to discover how God so often speaks through the simple and the overlooked.
There are signs of God all around us if we are willing to pause long enough to notice them. Everyday images and objects can become prompts to pray more deeply, to give more generously, to care more intentionally and to share more openly. Lent offers us a particular space to do this. It is a season that invites us to look honestly within ourselves, to examine the inclinations of our hearts and minds, and to ask what needs to be laid down or renewed. At the same time, Lent calls us to look beyond ourselves — to consider the impact of our choices, our words and our actions on the world around us.
In my own praying and reflecting, I can find it helpful to have something outwardly tangible to focus on. A physical image or object can anchor prayer, helping me to reflect more deeply on the inner workings of my soul. The closing verses of Revelation paint a vivid picture of life, healing and restoration: a river flowing freely through the city, trees bearing fruit in every season, and leaves that bring healing to the nations. It is an image that I see as I look out of the window of Greyfriars House, but more importantly, it’s an image of God’s intention for wholeness, connection and abundance — not just for individuals, but for the whole world.
This sense of connection was the inspiration for our website logo, which features the bridge at Kirkcudbright. When the bridge was closed for a time, it became a powerful reminder of how vital connection really is. Bridges enable people to meet, to share, and to move forward together. In a world that is often broken and divided, God’s way is always about building bridges rather than destroying them — about restoring relationships and drawing people together.
As we hold before God the very current horror of war and conflict, we pray for all those whose lives have been shattered by violence and loss. We also pray for world leaders, that they might be inspired by images of peace rather than images of power or fear. And perhaps we might ask ourselves: what are the images, objects or places that inspire us to step out in faith? What helps us to notice God’s presence, and to make a difference — both locally and globally — as we continue our journey through Lent?
Revd Alison