Life is not always straightforward. It can get us down. I always tell people to keep their eyes open. Look for the moments which lift your spirits. Look for the moments which make you smile.
Yesterday I had a really busy day. I was tired and needed a few minutes of downtime. I went into one of my local coffee shops in West Street and ordered my usual flat white.
What happened next lifted my spirits. My coffee was passed across the counter. It made me smile.
#costahorsham
Horsham. 2nd January 2023
For the last few years I’ve been busy. Probably too busy. Around 8 months ago, I felt that God was telling me that I should put stuff down at the end of 2023. So, as of December, I have not renewed my contracts to teach English as a second language. I have set aside, for the time being at least, my responsibilities as an international coach with CCI Worldwide. On Friday, 5th January 2024, I will be putting down my role as Development Coordinator with Horsham Churches Together. Changing times.
You probably know Psalm 46:10 which says ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ As I write this, I’m reminded that in the original Hebrew, the verb which we translate as ‘Be still’, implies a relaxed calmness before God. To come close to that, we need to stop. We need to put things down – empty our hands – and wait on the LORD.
That’s what I’m doing. Creating time to stop, to wait, to pray, and to listen. Time to be still. Time to be.
I’m really privileged that my son and I occasionally go out together for a drink or a meal. Every one of those meetings is incredibly special. I always enjoy his company, and it’s particularly important to me because I never really had the opportunity to do that with my Dad. My Dad died several years before my son was born, so he never met his Grandad.
My father died around 40 years ago. If he had still been alive, tomorrow would have been his 100th birthday. A few days ago I was able to visit the Church yard where there is a small memorial to him. Years ago, I planted a small euonymous bush behind his memorial. It was important at the time because it was actually a cutting which I took from a plant which my Mum and Dad had given me when my wife and I moved into our first home. It was a special visit. It was worth the trip.
There were three special surprises. Firstly, the euonymous was still there, and it is flourishing. Second, the memorial is still there, looking pretty much as it did around 40 years ago. Thirdly, I realised that I still miss my Dad.
It turns out that there is no protocol to direct how we deal with a significant birthday for someone special who died so long time ago. Tomorrow, there won’t be a 100th birthday party. No celebration. I will remember him quietly. I suppose nowdays we might say I’ll be mindful of him.
Tonight happens to be one of those nights when I’m meeting my son for a drink. The timing has never been more special. I’m going to cherish this moment. Father and son. And probably, I’ll raise a glass to my Dad.
