2005-08

Re-think
Births, marriages and deaths are the
classic and often-quoted events which
cause people to stop and reflect on
their busy and demanding lives. I’m
quite sure, however, that there are
plenty of other times in people’s lives
when they pause for thought and
wonder about the meaning and
purpose of their lives. Perhaps balmy
summers’ evenings in the garden,
dramatic thunderstorms, weekends
away by the sea or more extended
holidays abroad prompt this kind of
reflection. I wonder how often, though,
the reflection leads to a radical rethinking.
How often are we prepared to give
our lives an overhaul when we feel they
need it – or even just a mild tweaking
round the edges?
For me, this
year, the event
which caused
me to stop and
rethink was one
of those classic
ones – our baby
daughter Laura
was born in early March 2005 and is
now nearly 4 months old. Life has
changed beyond all recognition. Obviously
in a practical sense, the way I
spend my time has altered dramatically
: rather than getting up early in the
morning to go out to work and getting
that “Friday feeling” at the end of the
week, I now work all night and enjoy
Monday mornings just as much as any
other day(!!). Perhaps more fundamentally,
however, the things I think about
and my priorities for the days and
weeks ahead have altered. Things I
once considered important, perhaps
even crucial, to my existence are no
longer so crucial and, more shockingly
for me, things I snubbed, derided and
mocked ( like mother and toddler
groups!!) I have seen in a whole new
light.
It reminds me very much of the time
when, about 5 years ago, I first properly
delved into the bible, walked into a
church and started to rethink my views
on Christianity and Jesus Christ. I had
most certainly snubbed, derided and
mocked Christianity and Christians and
was pretty sure that I would never be
joining that particular “club”.
It came as something of a shock to
discover the utter passion and
compassion of the Jesus of the New
Testament and the truth and beauty of
much of the Old Testament. Added to
that the faith, humour and joy for life
that I encountered amongst many of
the people I met at church, and I was
thoroughly “converted”. I am now a
regular attender at St Chad’s both on a
Sunday and also at a midweek home
group where themes of justice and
poverty are explored and practical
action taken.
Having now a child to care for and bring
up has made me look again at my
values and priorities and how my faith
does, or perhaps, should, affect those.
It has made me think about what is so
fundamental to my life that, if I did not
pass those fundamentals on to my
daughter, I would feel I had neglected
my duties. Already Laura is watching
my every move, listening to my voice
and reacting to what my eyes are
showing Fairly soon she will start to
copy expressions I have and sounds I
make. At some point in the future,
St Chads Church, 9 Linden Avenue, Woodseats
email: office@stchads.org
Tel: (0114) 274 5086 Page 4 web site: stchads.org