SO – did you think we’d got away with a winter without snow? Wrong! Last week I found myself motoring at 15mph down the A13 at midnight in driving snow!

Mind you, it wasn’t the snow on my mind so much as my only daughter struggling to give birth to our first grandchild. After three days and an emergency C section, during which she thought her end had come, she finally gave birth to a beautiful 8lb boy – Elijah Jon. Wow!

Life and death can be so close can’t they? Sunshine and snow, laughter and tears, triumph and disaster. Kipling writes of the last two and suggests we “treat these two imposters both the same”.

This very week in which I have celebrated birth and joy, I have seen two old friends pass to their rest, leaving behind their grieving friends and family. The same great Father who looked on the day of their birth has reached out and held their hand at the hour of their death.

So does it mean anything other than a round of life and death, ashes to ashes and dust to dust?

Of course not! The things that matter last and the One who matters cares. And the matter of life and the matter of death are best left in His care. It is in that care we can trust because it is that care that goes on forever.

As I look into the eyes of my grandson I see the love of God. – JOHN.