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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Chine McDonald.

Good morning,

In March, we moved from our newbuild flat to the Edwardian house we had always dreamed of. At times over the past few months, I’ve definitely regretted our decision. A house built in 1906 has the types of daily issues that our newbuild flat did not. It’s absolutely freezing, for one. Things keep breaking and we find ourselves having to correct the bizarre décor decisions of those who lived there previously. But there is something beautiful about a house with history. During the Second World War, the town we live in became known as ‘Bomb Alley’ due to its being on a direct flight path from Germany to London. It therefore faced bombs being dropped on the way into London and on the way back to Germany again.

Our neighbours – many of whom have lived on the street for decades – regale us with some of the historic facts they’ve unearthed – the lofts insulated with newspapers from the 40s that told the story of the Blitz. I wonder what those who came before us – who wandered the streets that we now walk on; who lived in the houses we now occupy – would think if they could see us now.

During periods of darkness such as the Blitz, it must have been hard to comprehend that the light would emerge again. That normality would resume, that the fear and pain would ever become a distant memory. At those times when I resent the creaky floorboards, the draughtiness and the maintenance problems of our new old house, I’ll remember that despite the turbulence our house has seen over the years, it is still standing tall.

Lord God, when the storms of life surround us, may we look forward to an eternal hope. Amen.