‘Tis The Season For A Game Or Two Of Conkers
Autumn in the UK brings crisp air, falling leaves, and the nostalgic playground tradition of collecting and playing conkers. But while dangling a conker from a string is a simple childhood game, waiting for the next blow to hit can feel uncomfortably close to the daily anxieties so many of us carry. In this relatable reflection, Angie explores how life’s heavy pressures, and the fear of “hanging by a thread”, can leave us overwhelmed. Discover a gentle reminder that we don’t have to face the hits alone, and learn how casting our anxieties onto a caring Father equips us with strength, peace, and resilience for whatever season we’re in.
It’s that time of year again here in the UK – time for playing a game or two of conkers!
As the days get shorter and the trees start to shed their leaves, conkers can be seen lying on the ground as they fall from the horse chestnut tree. Be careful not to stand under the tree for too long though, otherwise you might receive a bonk on the head as one falls!
When my husband was at school, this was a favourite time for him and other children. It was a free game that all could participate in. You simply needed to go searching for conkers on the way home from school, ask an obliging parent to carefully drill a hole through the centre of it, poke string through the hole, tie and knot then voila, you were all set for a game.
Now some would go even further and bake their conkers in the oven or soak them in vinegar, to increase their hardness, so there was more chance of a win – or cheat! Paring up with a friend, you’d take turns to hit the conkers together whilst they dangled from the string, with the winner being the one who’s conker survived the onslaught of the attack.
Sometimes life can feel like a game of conkers, waiting for the hits to come and worrying about things that never happen, just like when you fail to hit your opponent’s conker. Sadly, we hear more and more about mental health issues affecting children, friends and family, who are overwhelmed by life and feel as though they are hanging by a thread. Whenever I feel like that, I recall the saying – how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! So often the hits keep coming and we’re left feeling that everything is too much, rather than break it down into smaller, manageable pieces and asking for help. It’s so hard to ask for help as it affects our pride in being able to handle things, but it’s essential if we’re to grow as a person and in turn, be able to help others.
God never wanted us to be fearful and live in a constant state of anxiety.
In the Bible, it tells us to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” and “not to be anxious about anything”. It’s tough to do this when things around us are going wrong and we don’t see a way out. As a Christian, I remain confident that the more I trust in the God who made me and sees me, the better equipped I will be. That doesn’t mean to say it’s easy, but I have an inner peace that God will allow things to work out in the best way for me, even if it’s not a way that I would have chosen. I won’t get everything I want and there will be consequences to my actions. But, I know when I put my trust fully in him, he will guide me and give me the strength that I need to face each day.
About The Author
Angie was born in the UK, but spent 26 years living in California before returning to England 3 years ago.
She attended a church in the heart of Silicon Valley with her husband Rob, where she helped with the kids and special needs programme.
She worked as an Executive Assistant, which at times, was a little like herding cats! She enjoys baking, organizing and travelling.
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