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Viewpoint from Rev Steve Deall 08/08/2025
 Rev Steve Deall
Rector of Bradwell Benefice
Whilst walking down the front at Great Yarmouth, I sometimes can almost still hear that final school bell—freedom at last. No more lessons, no homework, just weeks of easy mornings and lazy days stretched out ahead
The ice-cream van’s jingle became our summer anthem. We devoured 99s with their little Flakes, sucked on cider lollies that stained our lips bright yellow, and twisted Twisters until every shade of the rainbow coated our tongues
Our favourite adventure was the coach trip. Growing up in the Midlands, we’d pile aboard before dawn, half-asleep but buzzing with excitement. When we reached the coast, the sea air felt like a clean slate. We dug our toes into warm sand, built castles that the tide gulped down, and chased breakers until we collapsed laughing
 Afternoons slipped away in the penny arcade—one-arm bandits and penny pushers clinking away, or even prize bingo rounds with my mum cheering me on as coins rattled. Evenings meant fish and chips on the seafront, salt spray in our hair and chip-paper grease on our fingers. And on the very last day, as an extra treat, we made a beeline for the funfair: spinning teacups, neon lights, and towering candy floss clouds
Year after year, those weeks taught us three simple truths: pause, wonder, and centre ourselves before the school rush returned. By late August, we’d head back to uniform checks and pencil cases—sun burnt, sandy, and oddly ready for what came next
That timeless rhythm isn’t just a holiday tradition passed down through generations, but a deeply rooted biblical invitation: this holiday season, I invite you to pause—draw breath, reflect and centre yourself in Christ. Let Jesus be at the heart of every quiet moment, shared laugh and restful pause, allowing his presence to renew your weary soul and drawing strength from him in these challenging times. Lean into prayer, worship and time in the Word, remembering that each moment of stillness becomes an act of worship and an opportunity to knit our hearts closer to him. You’ll discover fresh resilience for any uncertain term or season that lies ahead. Psalm 46:10 reminds us: “Be still, and know that I am God”. In the stillness of that promise, resting in the arms of Jesus, we find that his unfailing love equips us for every challenge
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