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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with George Craig, a Methodist local preacher in Cardiff.

Good morning. If there’s a single image from the Second World War that embodies the national spirit of hope and defiance during the blitz it’s the famous photograph of the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral towering over the burning city. The message it sent was that – while St Pauls was standing the nation could deal with whatever was thrown at it. And that picture came into my mind when I discovered that the foundation stone for the cathedral was laid on this day in 1675

Places and buildings can be powerful symbols – but people too can offer powerful and inspiring images – the war in Ukraine has provided many such images of courage and defiance in the face of terrible suffering.

But at a more personal level many of us have people who are hugely important in our lives.

When I was young we lived with my grandmother. My Grandmother’s best friend – Jean and her dog Tatters – were my best friends too. When we moved away the disruption was pretty difficult for me – but so long as old Jean and Tatters were there when we went back, unconditional love and support were there too. And that got me through some fairly sticky times as a child growing up a long way from what I thought of as home.

And I find that challenging. As a Christian I know that I am loved and accepted by God, but I also know that it’s my job to show and share that love and acceptance with those around me. St Pauls was a symbol of reassurance for the nation, Jean was a symbol of reassurance for me. I need to think hard about what kind of symbol I am in the lives of those around me.

Father God, I pray that, just as your presence in our lives is comforting and strengthening so we may bring comfort and strength into the lives of others. Amen