My Dear Friends,
I once read somewhere that
a “Chancer” is someone who goes through a swing door on someone
else’s push. I well remember in the run up to Christmas some years
ago politely holding open the door of Jenner’s Department store in
Princes Street in order to allow a lady to come through. Being an
entitled Edinburgh matron, she didn’t acknowledge my gallantry; but
I was then stuck holding the door while twenty or thirty more people
barged in. There are two kinds of people; those who open doors and
those who just go through.
I have also had occasion
to wonder philosophically about church notice boards. Someone will
carefully bring along a notice and four drawing pins (one for each
corner). After a while the board will be festooned with notices all
held up higglety pigglety by the same four drawing pins! Again,
there are two kinds of people; those who buy their own drawing pins
and those who use other people’s.
It can be interesting in
church, also, to look at the various memorials affixed to the
Sanctuary walls. Read the words of thanksgiving and appreciation.
Never have I seen a memorial inscribed: “In memory of Joe Bloggs –
who always took the softest cushion and chose the biggest chocolate”.
These are Memorials to the Givers; not to the Takers.
It is a fact of life that
people cannot all be takers all the time - unless first there are
some who are willing (sometimes) to be givers. There are, of course,
times in life when we are dependent on the goodness and kindness of
others. The very young and the very old; the sick and the infirm
need to he looked after and cared for. We all owe a great deal to
those who have shown us kindness. It is good, therefore, that we
should take the opportunity to do what we can, when we can, to help
and support others.
Jesus said: “It is more
blessed to give than to receive.” Be a Giver!
Liz joins me in sending
our love to you all.
Alex.
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