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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rev Carolyn Skinner

Good morning.

As the Euros start tomorrow, World Cup winner Olivier Giroud has announced that this will be his last. He intends to step down from international duty with France after the Euros this month. Recognising that he may only have a few more playing years left, he will be moving to Major League Soccer in the US. He acknowledges too that it is a time to step aside and make room for the younger players.

Giroud has always been very publicly outspoken about his Christian faith and displays a tattoo on his arm which in Latin reads 鈥淭he Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want鈥�, a reference to Psalm 23. Giroud states that 鈥渢hese words on my arm reassure me. I know that if I need anything, any help, I can pray to Jesus.鈥� Over my life too these words have resonated in both easy and more challenging times.

Throughout the Bible, a shepherd was an intimate image, of someone who stayed with their flock consistently. The shepherd gave guidance, care, provision and protection and would go to any length to guard their flock. A shepherd like that is all that is needed in life. We all have many desires and wants, but it is our inner most needs that must be met and cared for first.

Giroud expresses a trust in God, that whatever life may bring, he will find help in his faith in Jesus, the One who describes himself as the Good Shepherd.

Loving God, I thank you that you shepherd me tenderly, guiding me and guarding me, in ways I don鈥檛 often see. Help me to call to you in times of trouble and to know you meeting the needs in my life.

Amen