Thursday, 11 February 2016

A creative challenge for Lent



Apologies for those of you who have no interest in football, but I just had to mention the tremendous success which Leicester City are having this season!  When one considers that around 12 months ago they looked to be heading for relegation from the Premiership, it is remarkable to see how the club has remained towards the top end of the league for much of the season, and as I write they are sitting proudly at the very top of the Premiership.  Before the season commenced, the odds against them winning the Premiership title were around 5000/1.  They have since been slashed to 5/2.

I was delighted to be able to attend City’s home match against Chelsea in December, a match which they deservedly won.  Although I thoroughly enjoyed the experience (and was even given a free limited edition packet of Walkers Jamie Vardy crisps!), it was a little annoying having to sit next to one particular fan who spent a lot of the match moaning at the Leicester players.  I found it hard to believe that when the team were playing so well, this gentleman found so much to be negative about.  Some people are never satisfied!

The truth is, of course, that we can all be unnecessarily negative at times.  To criticise and to moan about things is easy.  I was fascinated to read recently about someone who had decided to try and give up negativity for Lent!  It immediately struck me as a great idea and potentially a much more creative and fruitful act than to give up something like chocolate or biscuits. 

What a difference it would make to life if everyone made a determined effort to be more positive.  There’s a verse in the Bible which says, ‘Speak encouraging words to one another.  Build up hope’  It’s so much better to speak words which encourage and build up rather than discourage and tear down; so much better to try to see the positives in situations.  And not just for Lent!


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