Message from The Manse
On Easter day I turned on the television to watch “Songs of Praise”. I missed it completely but what I did get was the presenter Nick Knowles on a programme of his called, I think, “DIY SOS”. In this programme Knowles and an army of volunteers renovate and adapt (very often) a house in order that a family with difficulties can continue to live there. It would possibly be described as a “feel good” type of programme. On Easter Sunday the family concerned were under great pressure as they struggled in a small house built for a small family some considerable time ago. The house was a two story semi-detached house. The family had two children in wheelchairs who were essentially trapped on one floor or the other unless their parents carried them up and down stairs and one other son. Life was very stressful.
The house was extensively adapted and more room added to it so when the family returned it was a completely different beast. It was wonderful. What was even more wonderful was the reaction of the couple as they realised they had been given an opportunity for a new life, where their children would not be a burden but rather enabled to develop and fulfil their potential. The mother of these boys cried and cried and cried; her husband did likewise. Life had, until that adaptation of their home, been hellish: the twin boys in wheelchairs were struggling; she was too scared to contemplate the future; her husband was battling to hold it together and their other son (a gem) was losing out on his childhood. But they were given a new life and all who saw that programme were witnesses to it. It was beautiful, it was sad, it was happy. I saw goodness and I saw resurrection in one of its many forms. I believe in resurrection, although I may not understand it. I believe we can get the opportunity of new life despite the difficulties we experience. I believe that darkness and pain will not have the last word but love will, goodness will, God will.
If you are struggling today because of some darkness in your life watch that programme (I’m presuming it can be caught up in one of the television catch up stations) and trust me you will see love and resurrection in a very practical down to earth way. I missed “Songs of Praise” but I witnessed resurrection – thanks be to God.
Tom
On Easter day I turned on the television to watch “Songs of Praise”. I missed it completely but what I did get was the presenter Nick Knowles on a programme of his called, I think, “DIY SOS”. In this programme Knowles and an army of volunteers renovate and adapt (very often) a house in order that a family with difficulties can continue to live there. It would possibly be described as a “feel good” type of programme. On Easter Sunday the family concerned were under great pressure as they struggled in a small house built for a small family some considerable time ago. The house was a two story semi-detached house. The family had two children in wheelchairs who were essentially trapped on one floor or the other unless their parents carried them up and down stairs and one other son. Life was very stressful.
The house was extensively adapted and more room added to it so when the family returned it was a completely different beast. It was wonderful. What was even more wonderful was the reaction of the couple as they realised they had been given an opportunity for a new life, where their children would not be a burden but rather enabled to develop and fulfil their potential. The mother of these boys cried and cried and cried; her husband did likewise. Life had, until that adaptation of their home, been hellish: the twin boys in wheelchairs were struggling; she was too scared to contemplate the future; her husband was battling to hold it together and their other son (a gem) was losing out on his childhood. But they were given a new life and all who saw that programme were witnesses to it. It was beautiful, it was sad, it was happy. I saw goodness and I saw resurrection in one of its many forms. I believe in resurrection, although I may not understand it. I believe we can get the opportunity of new life despite the difficulties we experience. I believe that darkness and pain will not have the last word but love will, goodness will, God will.
If you are struggling today because of some darkness in your life watch that programme (I’m presuming it can be caught up in one of the television catch up stations) and trust me you will see love and resurrection in a very practical down to earth way. I missed “Songs of Praise” but I witnessed resurrection – thanks be to God.
Tom