TUESDAY 7 JULY 2020

Good morning friends,

I have noticed a form of greeting in this part of the land is not “hello” or “hi”, but, “how are you doing?”

So let me ask “how are you doing?”

Each morning when I switch on the office computer, the screen saver asks me, “ how’s your heart today” and the question makes me stop and ponder for a few moments.

As the chaplain here I often get folks or phoning, or texting, or e-mailing, to seek a listening ear, either for themselves or someone they are concerned about who isn’t doing too well.

I know from years as a pastor that many people struggle with poor mental health, and because of the pandemic and the need for lockdown, life has become even more difficult.

In recent days I have heard of five people who are in this difficult place and have asked for the prayers of the Fellowship.

As I’ve listened to folks over the years, some have apologised for feeling low, or being depressed, as if their brokenness was something to be ashamed of to keep hidden, not to be talked about. I even had it said to me once when I was struggling that as a Christian I shouldn’t be feeling as I did, as if my faith was not strong enough. NOT TRUE of course.

We are who we are, all of us children of God.

I can remember once when I was feeling particularly broken words spoken by a colleague.

“ With God, no experience is ever wasted”

None of us go through life unscathed, but the wounds we have incurred and any brokenness that has left us feeling cracked can be transformed in Christ to become a thing of great beauty.

Just think on this,

“God uses broken things,

It takes broken soil to produce a crop

Broken clouds to give rain

Broken grain to give bread

Broken bread to give strength.

It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume.

It is Peter weeping bitterly, who is renewed to serve his Lord.” (Vance Havner)

I love the image below.