Giving thanks in the dark

I found myself in the dark this week - literally! During the 9 years or so we have lived in our house, we have had occasional power cuts, when the electricity supply has suddenly failed. Usually the power returns within a fairly short time. One annoying aspect of this eventuality is that we keep having to reset the alarm clock. It happened twice this week; the second occurrence came late afternoon as the light was rapidly fading. I found myself hurriedly searching for some other light source before the sunlight disappeared completely. Fortunately, I managed to locate two candles and a box of matches. As I was on my own at home, I sat in the front room and wondered what to do next! No TV, no computer, no kettle, no microwave, insufficient light for reading, no heating, etc. etc.

The whole event led me to consider how easily we can take for granted many aspects of our lives. Certainly, sitting on my own in the dark made me realise what a wonderful resource electricity is. I then thought about all those who are involved in the various processes which enable our house to receive electricity, and gave thanks for whoever sorted out the problem and reconnected the supply in time for me to make my tea!

One thought often leads to another, and I began to consider the various industrial disputes currently taking place: Royal Mail, the Fire Service, First buses, refuse collectors in Leeds etc. I don't have an insight into the disputes, and I certainly don't know who is in the right. I do find it fascinating that whenever I hear either management or unions speak, I feel some sympathy for them. No doubt, as with most of these disputes, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It does seem a shame that they can't sit down and work out a solution before getting to the point of taking strike action.

Yet as I was thinking about these disputes, I came to realise how much I do appreciate the work done by those who deliver the mail, operate the fire engines (or "pumps" as they are know), drive the buses, and empty our wheelie bins week by week. How much we would miss them if they weren't there!

In St Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians he writes, 'give thanks in all circumstances' The reality is, that even in the most difficult times of life, if we take a moment to consider, there is still so much for which we ought to give thanks. Not least to God for his many blessings!

Communication is the key

When I started this blog a few months ago, I intended to do my best to update it approximately one each week. I have more or less kept to the schedule, apart from the period when I had my fortnight's summer holiday. Usually when it is time to sit down to write the blog, some subject comes to mind. This time, however, I have been waiting for a couple of days for the inspiration!

Tomorrow I am due to take a wedding. Generally I really enjoy taking weddings; it is a great privilege to lead a service in which a couple willingly exchange vows and make what amounts to one of the biggest commitments a person can make in life.

Yet, as anyone who has experienced marriage knows, it's one thing to make the vows, and sometimes quite another to keep them! There are several ingredients which go towards making a successful marriage, and one of the most important is good communication. Taking time to communicate, to be open and honest, and to genuinely listen is so important in any relationship, but especially in marriage. One article on the subject suggested that, “Most couples engage in meaningful conversation less than 15 minutes per week.” No wonder that this can lead to major problems!

A few weeks ago my brother moved to New Zealand. With modern communication methods, it doesn't so far seem much different from when he was in Liverpool; we can still communicate regularly through email and facebook etc. Yet it's ironic that in the modern communication age, we human beings still seem to have so much to learn when it comes to personal, face to face, communication. The current round of industrial strife suggests that management and unions alike could do better with their communication.

Of course, communication is two-way. At our Alpha course this week the subject was prayer. What a privilege we have been given in the gift of prayer. At any time and in any place we can offer our prayers to God, knowing that he listens to us. But prayer, also, is two-way. We need to give times in our prayers when we shut up and allow God to speak. I constantly ask God to help me be a better listener. Come to think of it, my wife would probably say “amen” to that!

Cliff & The Shadows, eBay, fraud and Emma

It is rather a shame that I have the time this evening to write my blog. Why? Because Sue and I should have been enjoying an evening at the Sheffield Arena, watching Cliff and The Shadows in their farewell concert tour. It is an evening we have long been looking forward to, but sadly it was not to be. Let me explain...

It was quite some time ago when I heard about the tour. We decided that if we could get some tickets we would like to go to one of the tour venues. By the time we started looking for tickets, many had already been sold. Being a long-time eBayer, I naturally looked on eBay, and found two seemingly ideal tickets for the evening in Sheffield, our most convenient tour venue.

So, back in February I won and paid for two tickets. They weren't cheap, but I thought that it was worth the money, especially as we rarely go out to similar events. I realised that buying these type of tickets on eBay, especially well in advance of an event, does involve an element of risk. However, the seller had (and has) a good eBay feedback rating and so I felt able to trust them. The seller informed me that the tickets would be sent to me a couple of weeks before the event, when s/he had received them. There did not seem anything unusual about this. All I could do was wait!

As the event drew closer, I attempted to contact the seller to check that I would be receiving the tickets. It now appears that I was victim of a fraud. I have received no tickets and have received no reply to any of my recent emails. So, here are two very disappointed people, out of pocket and out of the Sheffield Arena! I don't feel angry, just sad at a missed opportunity and sad at the fact that people like this particular eBay seller feels that it's OK to con people out of their hard earned money.

I guess that all of us find ourselves let down on occasions, sometimes even by those close to us on whom we thought we could rely. I am so grateful that I know Jesus, the one who is an ever faithful friend. When we trust in him, we are never let down.

So how did Sue and I spend the evening? We went out for a meal at our local pub, then came home and watched a recording of Sunday's episode of Emma. Not quite Cliff and The Shadows, but very enjoyable nevertheless!

Look what I found!

Sue and I recently had the opportunity to visit an Antique and Collectors' Fair at the Lincolnshire Showground. I love to look at items from a bygone era; I often wonder what tales they could tell if only they could speak! I particularly enjoy browsing stalls which have lots of small and interesting items.

On one stall I came across a very unusual old wedding greeting card. Although it was rather worn and grubby, I found it fascinating, and as it was only 50p I decided to buy it! It appears to have been handpainted. On the back is written "From your workmates at Lewis' all the best on your forthcoming wedding". The front of the card states "The undermentioned wish Miss E Jones the Best of Health and Every Happiness". Then are listed over 40 names. There is also an image of what I take to be the department store where Miss Jones and her colleagues worked. I assume that this is the famous Lewis' store in Liverpool.

I'll probably end up listing it on eBay, but the attraction to me is not in its monetary value. It raised all sorts of questions in my mind. Who was Miss E Jones? Did she have a long and happy marriage? Is she is alive, and if not, did she leave children? I find it a little sad that this item, which Miss Jones must surely have treasured, ended up in a tatty old box along with lots of other items at a collectors' fair. I'll almost certainly never find out the answers to my questions. But one thing I am sure of – God knows. God loved Miss Jones, and my hope and prayer is that she knew and loved him.

Most of us live fairly ordinary lives. We will never hit the headlines, and never become a celebrity. But we can still be assured that we are known and loved by God.

As I said, I'll probably never find out if Miss Jones had a happy marriage. But I did read this week of the death of Frank Milford, who died recently at the age of 101. As he died he was holding the hand of his dear wife, Anita, also aged 101. They celebrated their 81st wedding anniversary in June and, at the time, were Britain's longest married couple. They said that the secret to their long marriage was 'give and take' and making up after rows with a kiss and a cuddle. Not bad advice!