We bless God, then, for our afflictions;
we thank Him for our changes;
we extol His name for losses of property;
for we feel that if He had not chastened us thus,
we might have become too secure.
Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial.
C.H. Spurgeon
It was a particularly busy Sunday at the local garden centre. There was not chance of a seat in the restaurant, you had to book in advance as this was mothering Sunday the day to take the family matriarch out for a traditional roast dinner and a mindless wander around the floral displays, cards, books and trinkets.
"Don't spend too much" Len warned his wife observing her elderly mother wandering into the distance. This was no joyful outing for Bella having already noted the bored expression and disgust etched on her son-in-law's face at the thought of having to endure yet another Mother's Day outing.
It had to be the lesser menu in the cafe for Bella who would have preferred a quiet lunch at home watching her favourite television channel enjoying an Irish Coffee. The little cafe was also busy but they managed to grab a vacant corner table.
Some people were actually enjoying their special day but over their little corner table misery hung like a wet blanket. "She's lived too long" Len considered "in fact they are all living too long. We are keeping this lot on our taxes"
Suddenly Bella's face was illuminated with a big smile that swiftly spread into a toothy grin. Not that she had many teeth left but a wide smile made it absolutely obvious that she had lost quite a few of her top row. Across the crowded room she saw a familiar face. It was Albert. Heavens above what on earth was he doing at her local garden centre.
She rose from her seat and stumbled through the sea of shopping bags and zimmer frames. "Albert, good heavens, how lovely to see you again" she said "I don't want to intrude, where are your escorts"
He smiled "Oh the guards went off in the direction of the garden ornaments, they have all sorts of junk and they keep adding to it. Its an obsession. I'm up here for a couple of weeks and then I am heading home. "Sit down Bella" he gestured to an empty chair "they seem to lose track of time and they won't be back for ages. How are you girl" he enquired "how long has it been"
"All of twenty years" she replied.
"And you are still the same" he replied.
"When was the last time you visited the opticians" she replied "Actually I can still get around on my own, I am fiercely independent but that is a good thing under the circumstances, I just hate having to ask for help when it is refused with every excuse under the sun or grudgingly given. It is really a sad indictment of how very selfish this generation can be, although I have to say the people in my little town are very supportive of their nearest and dearest and especially today there will be a constant trail of daughters and grandchildren popping in to see my neighbours. Seems I have drawn the short straw where my kids are concerned."
"You don't have to be lonely girl" replied Albert with a mischievous twinkle in his eye "there's room for two at my place"
"I'm very set in my ways Albert" she replied "and when I look at this sick, selfish society I long for the day I can slip away forever. The "tall ships" are on the horizon at my age, I'm just waiting for them to dock.
"No you don't" said Albert quite fiercely "It's not over until God says its over. It's not all that bad, yes its rotten at the top but the roots go deep. Did you see that lovely young woman at the supermarket selling her golden daffodils for the cancer nurses. She was brave enough to wear the bright yellow outfit that was attempting to turn her into a human daffodil and whatever they put in her box she rewarded them with a beautiful smile. There are youngsters that care and they will make a difference but they will face fierce resistance."
Albert was well informed and articulate, he discerned the political agenda and was prone to shout at his television set "bunch of plonkers" He questioned the agenda of the anti.Russia brigade on both sides of the Atlantic. What they were really pushing for is another so called "soft war" i.e. no nuclear weapons, that way the arms dealers and the munition factories will be coining it and will keep things ticking over.
"Do you know my mother's day present was a really expensive nightdress" Bella chuckled "they obviously considered I will need a good stock for when I eventually get incontinent. The cotton was silky soft and warranted the price tag, but made in Peru.!!!! Can't we make clothes in this country. My aunt was an excellent seamstress and worked until she was 75 - God bless her. Probably treadling in heaven as we speak.
In the name of greater profits and greed nearly everything we produced ourselves has gone abroad from steel to socks. I think we can drop the GREAT in Great Britain. Their conversation continued in a mix of humour and satire. They were laughing and joking until Bella's daughter signalled "wind it up - we are going" and the Guards accurately fitting Albert's description appeared in the entrance to the cafe clutching assorted garden gnomes and a box of solar lights.
Albert reached to take Bella's hand. "God is gracious, you are just as I remembered you you haven't changed" He pressed a business card into her hand and said "phone me. I have had a vision, call it what you will, a rallying call for committed christians to make a difference, lets talk. And with that they moved in different directions waving at each other as they disappeared from view.
"Who was that" enquired Albert's son. "Oh just someone I met at church from way back" he replied smiling.
"I hope she doesn't think she is getting her feet under your table" his daughter in law suggested her mind firmly fixed on his assets.
"I doubt it" replied Albert "she was never that kind of woman, she's more concerned about the state of the world and the mess your generation is making".
"Nice one Dad" said his son wondering how soon the payback would come from his annoyed wife. Thats all the thanks we get for sacrificing what little spare time we have to take you out for lunch."
"Pull the other one" replied Albert glancing at the garden gnomes stashed on the seat beside him. When will you two realise time is short. You won't be able to hide behind your gnomes or possessions when God deals with us all.
It was as good as a red rag to a bull. "Shut up Dad" replied his son "we don't share your religious beliefs, you know there are times when you are extremely irritating keep the evangelising to yourself.
Albert knew he had hit a nerve but silently he was redirecting his attention and assets to a worthy project and when the "tall ships" arrived to take him home prayerfully it would be up and running and the groundwork already completed for the children of the King who were facing increasing persecution. Meanwhile he hoped Bella would phone, somehow he knew she was part of his vision.
In the name of greater profits and greed nearly everything we produced ourselves has gone abroad from steel to socks. I think we can drop the GREAT in Great Britain. Their conversation continued in a mix of humour and satire. They were laughing and joking until Bella's daughter signalled "wind it up - we are going" and the Guards accurately fitting Albert's description appeared in the entrance to the cafe clutching assorted garden gnomes and a box of solar lights.
Albert reached to take Bella's hand. "God is gracious, you are just as I remembered you you haven't changed" He pressed a business card into her hand and said "phone me. I have had a vision, call it what you will, a rallying call for committed christians to make a difference, lets talk. And with that they moved in different directions waving at each other as they disappeared from view.
"Who was that" enquired Albert's son. "Oh just someone I met at church from way back" he replied smiling.
"I hope she doesn't think she is getting her feet under your table" his daughter in law suggested her mind firmly fixed on his assets.
"I doubt it" replied Albert "she was never that kind of woman, she's more concerned about the state of the world and the mess your generation is making".
"Nice one Dad" said his son wondering how soon the payback would come from his annoyed wife. Thats all the thanks we get for sacrificing what little spare time we have to take you out for lunch."
"Pull the other one" replied Albert glancing at the garden gnomes stashed on the seat beside him. When will you two realise time is short. You won't be able to hide behind your gnomes or possessions when God deals with us all.
It was as good as a red rag to a bull. "Shut up Dad" replied his son "we don't share your religious beliefs, you know there are times when you are extremely irritating keep the evangelising to yourself.
Albert knew he had hit a nerve but silently he was redirecting his attention and assets to a worthy project and when the "tall ships" arrived to take him home prayerfully it would be up and running and the groundwork already completed for the children of the King who were facing increasing persecution. Meanwhile he hoped Bella would phone, somehow he knew she was part of his vision.
Beloved reader, set not your affections upon things of earth: but seek those things which are above, for here the moth devoureth, and the thief breaketh through, but there all joys are perpetual and eternal. The path of trouble is the way home. Lord, make this thought a pillow for many a weary head.
C.H. Spurgeon.
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