Zacchaeus and the buttercups

New Parks New Friends (NPNF) is an exciting new venture which was launched by some of the folk from New Parks Methodist Church, together with others from the local community.  NPNF meets each Tuesday morning in the New Parks Library on Aikman Avenue.  The initiative was started in an attempt to address the major social issue of loneliness and isolation.  NPNF offers the opportunity for anyone to come and chat and make new friends.  So far it has been really successful and many people from the local community have enjoyed Tuesday mornings at the library.  New and valued friendships have been established.

Last week was a first for NPNF, as a half day outing was organised to Ullverscroft Grange.  As well having lunch together and visiting the shops which are run by the charity, there was the opportunity to explore the area (the weather was perfect).  Along with one or two others, I went for a short walk in the beautiful countryside.  As we walked we came across a field full of buttercups.  Buttercups are often regarded as a weed by gardeners, but this field proved what a beautiful display they can offer.

I stood and gazed at the field for a while, watching the plants gently swaying in the breeze, and marvelled again at God's amazing creation.  Even humble buttercups can produce a stunning display.  I thought how well this seemed to fit with the Biblical story of Zacchaeus, which was to be the sermon topic for the following Sunday.  Most people looked down on and despised Zacchaeus.  He was treated as an outcast by many, and of no value.  Yet Jesus went out of his way to spend time with Zacchaeus and to show him that he was special in the eyes of God.  

There are those who regard buttercups as weeds and worthy only of the compost heap; there were those who regarded Zacchaeus in the same way.  Jesus, however, saw below the surface and recognised Zacchaeus' worth as a child of God.  There is a line in the song "The King is among us" which states, "each child is special, accepted and loved."  Perhaps the buttercups in their own way bear witness to that wonderful truth.