Carol Purves

‘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!

For Christmas I was given a calendar which is all about gratitude. Although not specifically Christian this calendar reminds me that gratitude is a very Christian attribute.

This month, February, I read ‘A heart that gives thanks is a happy heart.’ In this dull, cold month I look out of my study window. While the rest of the country has snow with all it’s pros and cons, we have the thinnest layer of snow which as it rains is turning to ice, a lethal combination for anyone over 50.

As I consider how I’m going to safely get to the shops, I stop to think about a ‘happy heart.’ Am I giving thanks to the God who has sent this ice and snow for the rest of the country? Because everything is under His control this weather is in His plan. Then I look again and see th3e smallest cluster of snowdrops in my garden. A promise of spring and time I can spend in the garden.

I spy a lone robin foraging amongst the seed I have scattered on the lawn. God cares for the birds, surely He will care for me. Then I can give thanks for all His many blessings, the physical ones, the spiritual ones. No, the sun is not shining in my city but it is shining in my heart.

It is heartening news that all adults will be vaccinated by the summer. We are all suffering from covid fatigue. We want the end to be in sight. Let us not forget and give thanks to the scientists working hard in their labs to develop these vaccines. It is the way out for our country and for the whole world.

Can we also stop and think where the scientists got their skill from. It is God who is behind all this work. God provided the raw materials. Yes, we think the technical people are skilled and give them praise but let us never forget where the real power lies. Without God we would all be nothing.

In the past I’ve disliked February and been thankful that it’s only had 28 or 29 days. This year I think differently. February contains Valentine’s Day, a day to spread and receive love. This year it has Shrove Tuesday, pancakes, Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. More causes to rejoice Flowers are beginning to appear in the gardens and hedgerows. Birds are returning and birdsong is increasing.

So this year I’m going to enjoy February and take pleasure in every day.

Our church is an old building in the middle of the High Street. At the front are a number of windows. Some artistic people in our church have filled them with dangling butterflies. With a background of fir trees, they look lovely. As the church is situated right near the traffic lights, cars stop there waiting for the lights to change colours. I hope their hearts are uplifted when they see our butterflies.