Living near the Border

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It is only during these last few months that I’ve given any thought to the fact that I live near a border. I’m nine miles from the English/Scottish border and for four months we have not been able to cross that border. It is surprising how often I’ve wanted to do business or visit friends on the other side of the divide.

My concerns are fairly small but what would it be like to have a border where you would be shot if you crossed it. Suppose your family couldn’t be reached just because they lived the other side of this barrier.

For thousands and thousands this is the life they lead. War rages in so many places, lives are being lost or ruined every day. Oh, how we and they pray for peace. We do thank God for the many acts of kindness there are within these areas. The press will only report atrocities, but that is only half the story. If everyone prayed ‘Peace in our time,’ then there would be peace for ever, because it is always ‘our time.’

Train Journey

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I’ve been on my first train journey since goodness knows when. It seemed strange and exciting. It was only an hour there and an hour back, but there were so many things so see. Rabbits, hares, sheep, lambs and deer. No that was all in my imagination. Only sheep and lambs were sighted. I got a bit carried away. But some of the line was along the coast and I saw the sea, first time this year. Looking over the water I was thinking that Ireland and Scotland were only just over the horizon. (Not in the same direction, my geography is not that bad)

Then I met up with my friend who I hadn’t seen for about 14 months. We sat and ate our lunch in a green space with only two seagulls for company. It was wonderful. We did share our crumbs with the birds. The trees were just bursting into leaf and the traffic only a distant hum. I would class it as a perfect day. We only get a few of them, so we do need to savour them.

Garden Freeze

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So we can now have six people sitting in our garden. Fine, but no-one’s told the weather. There were five of us sitting in my garden. The forecast was for a storm and the local restaurant had cancelled all their bookings for that day. What a setting for my garden party!!

I placed a waterproof on each chair and then placed the chairs two metres apart. Fortunately two of the people were a couple, which helped in my small space. Then we sat with blankets on our laps and at one time two of us held up umbrellas. The two younger people were too hardy for that. There was no storm, very little rain but it was bitterly cold.

I think a great time was had by all. Soon after they had all left we had a hail storm. Perfect timing. I give thanks to God for the weather not being too bad, though I know the country is crying out for rain, just not on my garden when I’m having a party. My next party is only for two people; the forecast is for warmer weather but plenty of rain. Roll on the 17th May.

‘No peace for the wicked.’

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The mother has returned home from her full time job to find her three teen-age youngsters bickering, arguing and demanding her attention.. Before she has had time to catch her breath and even take her coat off, her husband arrives home looking for his lunch before he goes out to his evening meeting.

She mutters not completely under her breath, ‘No peace for the wicked.’ She doesn’t realise and probably wouldn’t care that she is actually quoting the Bible. So many of the phrases that roll off our tongues in everyday life, come from the Bible.

This quote actually comes from Isaiah 48:22 and is no idle mutter. It is a threat and a promise from God that the wicked will not finally succeed in their wilful ways. Punishment and retribution are coming.

The fact that many of our phrases and quotes come from the Bible go to prove that the Bible is as relevant today as it always has been. It tells us about the very first days of the earth’s existence and continues to speak about the new heaven and the new earth when life as we know it has ceased. We ignore it at our peril.

Craft Fair

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To call it a ‘fair’ is probably overstating it. It was my friend selling her craft in her garden with no more than six people present at any one time. As one person came, one of the group left. After months of isolation it was great to sit in her garden with the sun shining down on us. Around us in her small garden were the flowers and butterflies and bees joining in the party.

How lovely it was was to see people without their masks. We could see each other’s faces, recognise what they were saying and see their mouths smiling. In the past I had never appreciated these things. We read in the Bible that God made us to be in families. As the past few months have shown this is not always possible, but let us appreciate our families and friends and be with them when we can. We can also pray for them as they are sure to need our prayers whatever their circumstances.

Questions

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The questions we have been asking during this pandemic have changed. It used to be ‘Are your family well. Have they caught covid?’ Then it moved on to ‘How are you coping without seeing people? Are you able to get your shopping?’ At the beginning of the year we were asking ‘Have to had your first vaccine yet?’

As January became February we enquired, ‘Have you had your second vaccine yet?’ It now seem the latest question is ‘When will you have your hair cut?’ Hairdressers have become the most important people in our lives. Today I’m able to plait my hair because it is so long. Tomorrow I’m having it cut. I’m almost sorry to see it go. I will never grow it so long again. The time is coming when people will be able to see my hair style because they will be able to see me.

May Day

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May Day in Britain was first celebrated in 1978 with a Bank Holiday on the first Monday in May. Celebrations these days revolve round dancing, singing and drinking and of course cake. Originally it arose to mark the historical struggles and gains of workers in the 1890’s. They were fighting for an 8 hour working day. In the past they had been exploited by their bosses. Maypoles were just part of the festivities, though they are really seen these days. Today it is an excuse for having fun, though our fun will be limited this year.

The word ‘mayday’ has quite another meaning for many. It was first used as an emergency destress signal in 1920. Any sailor or pilot will shudder on hearing the words ‘mayday, mayday.’

Visit to the Dentist

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Who would have ever thought that a visit to the dentist would be exciting! Yes, I’ve been to the dentist, only for a check-up and nothing had to be done., so no pain. We can now visit the opticians, chiropodist and other places which are so important for our well-being. It is the thought of careful freedom which is most important.

No-one likes being told what to do and what not to do. That is the position we have been in. It is such a blessing that some restrictions are now being eased. I do hope that everyone will continue to be careful. We don’t want to go back in any way. I hope we have come out of this period older and wiser. Definitely older, but what about wiser?

Conversation

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Since going into ‘you know what’, our conversations have changed. Now we ask ”Have you had your vaccine?’ ‘Have you had your second jab?’ ‘When will you have your hair cut?’ ‘Have you had covid?’ ‘Did you have bad effects from the vaccine?’ Questions that would never have been uttered in the past.

We are also interpreting the rules differently. Some think its OK to travel 250 miles to a beauty spot, while others hardly leave their homes. There are those who have family to stay when some won’t even let people visit their gardens.

My prayer is that whatever our behaviour, the virus does not increase. I think we are all getting to the end of our endurance. Thinking of others should still be our tope priority.

Another First

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It’s a week since I had another ‘first’. I had a coffee outside a cafe in my local city with a friend. It was such a treat. Because the shops are now open there was a buzz of people around. The sun was shining and the breeze was very light. We went to a place I’d never visited before. The coffee was lovely and the staff most welcoming. (They must be desperate for custom after such a long shutdown.)

But the best thing was seeing my friend, June. It was many months since we’d met. We had telephoned but as we know that’s not the same. We had so much so say, so much news to catch up on. She has serious health problems in her family, so it was also a sad time.

I realised once again that God has made us to be in families. We are not meant to be alone as we have been so much during the last few months. Does this time make us appreciate friends and family more? I do trust so.

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