As ‘summer’ comes to an end people start asking one another, ‘have you had a good holiday?’ Not everyone has the opportunity to have a holiday. Some cannot afford one; others prefer to stay at home. For some a holiday will be a time of badly-needed rest.

I have fond memories of fun-filled holidays. My family were lucky to be able to go away for two weeks in the summer to Wales or the Lake District. Of course the sun always shone, and the sea was always warm!

Holidays can be difficult times; parents trying to juggle work and family, stress as people spend more time together.

For those who have their own business holidays might be non-existent.

Our world today is a busy place. We can work 24/7, email and mobile technology means we never need be out of touch or out of the office. Cities always seem to be busy places even through the night.

We live in a rural area, where life can be slower but the demands on us can mean that we join the rat race without thinking.

The word ‘holiday’ is based on the words ‘holy’ and ‘day’, as ‘holi-days’ originally represented the celebration of special religious days.

Made in the image of a creator who celebrated all that was made and then took a holiday, no doubt that same creator would encourage all creation, including human beings, to have ‘Fun and laughter on our (summer) holiday’ and well-earned regular rest.

  • The Rev Ruth Crossley, priest in charge, Levens