Monday 4th May 2020

Norma tells me that she has been in contact with one of our former Time for God Volunteers, Christine.  Christine told her that church services are now being re-opened in Germany, all be it with social distancing in place, face masks and no singing!  Christine's wedding has also been postponed, but she is 'settled' and 'fine' about this.

My own neice's wedding was due to have taen plave on Saturday and is now re-arranged for Secember - hopefully, but who knows?  That meant that the Green family 'zoomed' twice over the weekend just to give support and encouragement to the now delayed bride and groom.  Yesterday we participated in a lunchtime quiz, drawing in family members from: Amersham, Southampton, London, Spain, Australia and China.  Yet we just took it forgranted that, although far flung, we could chat and play a quiz for an hour!

Hazel has sent me this great little piece about travelling with God.

May you know God's blessing and joy in all you do today.

Ian

Bicycling with God


At first I used to see God as my observer, my judge, keeping an eye on me, tracking all the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell. He was out there sort of like the prime minister, or a president. I recognised his picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know him.


Later on, when I first met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back seat helping me to pedal.


I don't know just when it was that he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was always the shortest distance between two points.


But when he took the lead he knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places, at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!


I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer.And I started to learn to trust.


I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," he'd lean back and touch my hand.


He took me to people with gifts that I needed - gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey – our journey, Christ’s and mine. And then we were off again.

He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did - I gave them to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received. And still our burden was light.

I did not trust him, at first, in control of my life. I thought he'd wreck it. But he knows bike secrets,knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks,knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.


And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places,and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face, with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.


And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,he just smiles and says..."Pedal!"