Carol Purves

God has been merciful. A year ago we didn’t know we were in for during 2020. This was a blessing because we couldn’t do anything to prevent covid.

We didn’t know about the loved ones we would lose. We didn’t know that some of us would have long term covid. There was no appreciation of what isolation would be like. The mental suffering that would be experienced was unknown.

Our ignorance was a blessing. Now we can look to the future with happy anticipation.

We had had a few days of heavy rain, then on one evening we had a hail storm. As the hail battered on to the windows, the world turned white in seconds. Everything was covered, trees, cars, bushes. In some places the hail stones were blown into piles by the relentless wind. The sky turned dark, there was a flash of lightening followed closely by a crash of thunder.

Then the hail stopped suddenly and the sun came out illuminating the stark white scene.

Checking the time I realised that the children would be safely home from school. The office workers would not have started their commute .No-one was in danger, especially me watching from the safety of my own home.

I could only wonder at the great power. Power beyond any human strength. Made me pause in wonder.

Looking at last year’s diary I see that it is a whole year since I travelled on a train. It was only a journey of 100 miles from my home city to the Edinburgh. But it was travel to another country, supposing Scotland is another country! As I live only nine miles from the border I can only travel nine miles north before I meet an invisible barrier. When I come to think of it, nine miles is probably as far as I’m supposed to travel, even alone in a car.

Did we appreciate our freedom when we had it? Probably not. That is mankind for you, never being thankful for what we have. So therefore I’m thankful for the sun shining today, it might not be shining tomorrow (I’m fact, it probably won’t) I’m thankful for the birds singing. They will be singing tomorrow, especially if it’s raining. I’m thankful for the kind family who brought me home-made scones, jam and cream yesterday, ( a virtual afternoon tea) so I didn’t feel lonely.

I am thankful.

I don’t know whether this is a true story but I thought it was worth sharing.

A little girl was out in the park with her mother and father. When a couple of people was seen approaching from the other direction, the little girl hid behind her mother crying out, ‘Be careful, here are some people!’. So sad that she has learned that human connection means danger. It is bad enough that we teach them strangers are dangerous, now they see everyone as dangerous. It applies to adults as well, when we meet someone we cross over to the other side of the road. Are we all becoming like the priest and Levite?

As Christians we want to reach out, help, hug and connect with other people, yet the rules rightly say, keep away. How we long for the day when our help can be physical and intimate!

‘God’s in His heaven, all’s right with the world.’

These are lines from a poem by Robert Browning. Years ago I thought these words very wrong. They gave an image of God being safely cocooned in His heaven, while there was no way that everything was alright with the world.

God is in His heaven, yes, but seeing everything that is going on in the world. He weeps when we weep, He rejoices when we rejoice. He is completely involved in everything. That makes the line right that ‘all’s right with the world.’ Yes, things are bad in the world, especially at the present in time. But because of God’s care, everything will be right in the end. We can’t see the future, but we trust in a God who can.

Maybe I’m not alone. Things that I used to do with confidence, I now am afraid to do. I used to drive happily anywhere in the country, I now hesitate to just drive into the city. (not that anything is open when I get there). I used to answer the telephone without a thought, now I hesitate wondering if it is bad news or someone needing encouragement I cannot give . (or even a cold call. I’ve just been interrupted yet again as I type) I used to greet everyone I met with a smile and cheery word, now I cross the road in case of infection. (Not that they can see my smile behind my mask anyway)

It is no wonder that you, me and the rest of the world are suffering a crisis of confidence. Everything we knew as normal and acceptable has been stripped away. With fake news and scaremongers we can’t believe in anything or trust anyone.

What we need is somebody who will absolutely not let us down. Something we can rely on without fail. Then our crisis of confidence will become an assurance of confidence.

Well, their clothes didn’t wear out for forty years. Mine are wearing out after a few weeks and months. I know i can use mail order, but I want to try the clothes on, especially shoes.

Will we have to wait forty years before we can go into shops? I for one won’t make it. Who said ‘Clothes maketh a man.’ (or in my case a woman)

Am I the only person who celebrates a half birthday? That is six months from the last birthday and six months to the next one. I think it started when I was upset about being a year older, so I gave myself six months to get used to it.

So I’ve just had my half birthday. How did I celebrate? Well, I went to Morrisons, walked alone in the park and phoned a few friends, but didn’t tell them I was celebrating. They would have thought me weird.

I remember my real birthday six months ago. We were not actually in lockdown, so no rules were broken. A friend asked me if I would like to visit another friend with her. She took me in her car, that was OK then. When we got there three other of our friends were there just to celebrate my birthday. After a while three of them left and another three came. We were in the rule of six then. It was so special and memorable for me.

Now I’ve had my half birthday I wonder where we will be in August for the real birthday. Maybe I could have a gathering of one hundred people, except I haven’t got a hundred friends!

I’m really frustrated by lockdown (along with the rest of the world!) One reason is because I am no longer able to speak the few words of witness that I did in the past. No longer can I speak my holy words in a loud voice on the bus or in a queue. Now I can’t share a coffee with a friend in need. Letters and phone calls are not quite the same. I need face to face.

In my frustration I realised i don’t need to do any of these things. If God wants to get a message to the spiritually needy, He doesn’t necessarily need me. Our all-powerful God can has been running this universe for yonks. Who do I think I am?

Then I remember I still have the power of prayer. Where I can’t go, the Holy Spirit can. The people I am unable to speak with, God can. I now feel my job is to prayer for the Holy Spirit to act. I lift people up to God in my prayers, then the Holy Spirit will do its work.

In the Bible we are often encouraged to extend hospitality to others. What could be better than sharing what we have with friend, relatives and strangers. Jesus was often able to stay with his friends where He received a warm welcome. When we welcome others into out homes it is if we are inviting Jesus.

I remember a rhyme poem book I had as a child by Joan Gale Thomas. It begins ‘If Jesus came to my house and knocked upon the door, I’m sure I’d be more happy than I’ve ever been before.” It then goes on to describe although we cannot invite Jesus into our home, we can invite others. I have my water-stained, battered copy for eight decades and think this little book has influenced my hospitality attitudes. My house was always open to passing visitors, those who stayed or those who needed prayer and comfort.

I hear you say, well you can’t have anyone to visit now. No, but there are other ways I can practise this kind of friendliness. Phone calls can comfort the lonely. A letter would be a joy to receive; the thought that someone has actually spent the time to write. Gifts left on doorsteps are another way of showing friendship. Praying with someone or for someone.

Of course, I long for the time when you can all pop in for a coffee and chat or a tea and talk. Just don’t all come on the same day, please!