Some time ago now a young man of about 13 years asked me for a lift home from church. I, wanting to appear a good Christian (as we all do), duly obliged. The same boy made the assumption I'd do the same for him each week. Though this seemed slightly presumptuous I continued my service, secure in the knowledge that I was "holier than them".
You can imagine my surprise when, one morning I stepped out of my door for the drive to work and a smiling 13 year old said, "Are you all right to give me a lift?"
The same presumptions have continued and each day I give him a lift to school (it's not out of my way, and I have learnt to be a bit humbler; you're soon to see why) and he says thank you.
As you may have noticed, the weather recently has been extremely cold. Each morning I often peer out of my window to see an unfriendly and freezing frost gripping the grass and enveloping the cars in my street. This happened one day before setting out for work and I stepped out of my door to see that smiling face. I said good morning out of courtesy, and put my key into the car door. I turned it. At least, I tried to turn it. The lock was frozen. I walked round to the other side of the car and tried that lock. It, too, was as frozen as an ice cube.
What to do?
I do like to think of myself as a successful problem solver and I soon came up with a solution.
The boot!!!!
The boot was open. I opened the door wide and clambered over and between seats. I bent and flexed and squeezed and, eventually, sat.
"Come on," I called over my shoulder to a chuckling and mildly surprised thirteen year old.
My pride slightly hurt, and my already mild resentment of lifts evaporated I now gladly and genuinely wish a good morning to him each day.
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Barack Obama: Will he make a difference?
Today I heard Barack Obama's speech. He appears to be someone who wants to change the lives for those such as this man. I just hope he means it.
Monday 19 January 2009
Reflections
Monday is Reflections day.
It seems to me that we need the new American President to do some good.
This is, admittedly, one of the most obvious statements ever; especially so in the light of the last one. Change is what is needed, progress. Uncompromising progress. This may, ironically, involve compromise but we must forever be striving for better lives for people across the world.
Criticism is something which I take on board and accept if it is constructive. Once I was criticised for being too idealistic. I cannot see the logic, especially as it was given by a teacher; someone whose very life should run on idealism. Of course, we need to be realistic but all teachers want to teach the children in their class everything they can, and they want the best for them. I did make the point that the very best teachers have been idealistic. And the best political leaders. And the best religious teachers. If we do not have ideals we lose our sense of purpose. If we lose purpose a loss of hope all too often follows. Hence we need to be idealists and activists and doers to help Mr. Obama change this world. Where do we start? By saying good morning/afternoon to as many people as you can tomorrow.
It seems to me that we need the new American President to do some good.
This is, admittedly, one of the most obvious statements ever; especially so in the light of the last one. Change is what is needed, progress. Uncompromising progress. This may, ironically, involve compromise but we must forever be striving for better lives for people across the world.
Criticism is something which I take on board and accept if it is constructive. Once I was criticised for being too idealistic. I cannot see the logic, especially as it was given by a teacher; someone whose very life should run on idealism. Of course, we need to be realistic but all teachers want to teach the children in their class everything they can, and they want the best for them. I did make the point that the very best teachers have been idealistic. And the best political leaders. And the best religious teachers. If we do not have ideals we lose our sense of purpose. If we lose purpose a loss of hope all too often follows. Hence we need to be idealists and activists and doers to help Mr. Obama change this world. Where do we start? By saying good morning/afternoon to as many people as you can tomorrow.
Sunday 18 January 2009
Quotation Day
I have decided to set aside certain days for certain types of blogs. Firstly, to force me to update the blog; secondly so you know what to expect. Sunday can be quotation day.
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”
- Shakespeare
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”
- Shakespeare
Saturday 17 January 2009
Friday 9 January 2009
Why the radio can make you cry
I was deeply saddened when I listened to the news yesterday and discovered that in Gaza four children were found cowering among 12 dead bodies, huddling closest to their dead mother. The place had been attacked four days previously and the children had remained there all that time. They were too weak to stand up. But there's worse. Just 80m away an Israeli base is situated. A place where soldiers knew what had happened and could check the situation but who did nothing!
The question I ask is, what can we do?
The question I ask is, what can we do?
Monday 5 January 2009
What I'm Looking For
“You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, You know I believe it
But I still haven't found
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, You know I believe it
But I still haven't found
What I'm looking for”
- Part of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2
These are some of my favourite lyrics of all time; simply because they express what I believe to be the truth. Some may, however, be perplexed by the last two lines. Let me explain. Jesus was born, lived, died and was resurrected that we may have life in all it’s fullness. I know that I have not attained life in all its fullness and I am pretty certain that most of the world have the same problem. Therefore I haven’t found what I’m looking for, but I maintain the search. I search and question and probe and discover and share and learn that I may one day be completely certain of the hope that is within me and be able to tell the world. I may never be certain, but I will always search.
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