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Remembrance
November 1, 2007
Dear Friends,
In the light of the forthcoming demolition of my old school
hundred’s of people registered for a School Reunion. Like
many I had not actually been on the school premises for
many years and wondered whether I would recognise folk or
not. Our Headmistress, at 86 years, addressed the crowds in
a strong voice without microphone!
It had not been difficult to predict for this or any
similar gathering that the life stories of people would be
very varied. So, it was no surprise to talk with those, who
had been in my school year, that had happy families,
children and some grandchildren, fulfilling careers… But
also those who had faced divorce and depression, sadly
someone died of cancer, another committed suicide and
another murdered. Interestingly there were those who still
harboured resentment for “perceived injustices” that had
happened in school days. For me it was particularly lovely
to talk with a chap, who I had not know well in schooldays,
but who told me of his “Damascus Road” experience when he
was 27 years old, which had changed him form being, to use
his words, Jack the Lad to being a follower of Jesus
Christ.
I came away reflecting that, although we are partly moulded
by our circumstances, in the end it is our choices that
influence us more. Often we cannot change the circumstances
that happen to us but we can make a choice how we respond.
We increase or diminish in character by the choices that we
make. As a Christian, my prayer is that more and more my
real choices, about small things and bigger ones, will be
moulded God’s will as He makes it known to us through the
Bible, Prayer, Fellowship and especially the presence of
His Holy Spirit with us.
November is a month when in different ways we remember “old
friends”, (not just at school reunions) – on Remembrance
Sunday November 11th at in the 10.30am Service, we will
remember all those who have died in wars and conflicts and
on Sunday November 25th in the 6.30pm Service we will read
the names of those who are newly entered in our Remembrance
Book. Although many memories can be painful we remember
that God sent His Son, Jesus to share our human life and to
transform us by His love. Time and again we discover that
is true in the varying circumstances of life.
God Bless you this November in your remembrances both great
and small.
With warmest Christian Greetings
Kath
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