We should treasure Verulamium

I was young (of course!) and I was escaping for an hour from a residential conference near St Albans city centre.

I never dreamed then that I would live most of my life in that city.

It was early morning. I had the park almost to myself. It was this time of year and everything was green and sparklingly fresh.

I climbed the grassy slope and the cathedral tower came into view.

The sun was rising. The noise was that of the ducks – with a faint backdrop of traffic from Bluehouse Hill to remind me of daily reality.

Then I came across it. It was a plaque on the remains of the Roman wall with a verse about the beauty of God’s creation.

I could face the rest of the conference after that.

I was reminded of that this week when I stood in almost the same spot: God’s gift of beauty in his creation – with remarkably little changed over the years.

Like so many others, my work is pressured, I live at a fast pace, it’s a busy life.

But still in Verulamium I can pause in the peace and rethink my priorities.

“I have told you these things,” said Jesus Christ to his disciples, “so that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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