Thought for the Week

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mull so beautiful. As I approached Craignure, the sea was a wonderful tapestry of blues, greens and aquamarine.

As I drove off the ferry, the late afternoon sun highlighted all the glory of autumn as the hills and bracken were clothed in shades of red, gold and brown. The result was breathtaking.

I was to have the privilege of leading worship in the beautiful churches at Tobermory and Dervaig.

Hospitality on Mull is renowned and I was embraced in a welcome of love in so many ways.

It was to be a weekend of celebration as the Mull choir had just won several medals at the Royal National Mòd in Glasgow.

It is said Gaelic is the language of Heaven and after hearing these haunting beautiful harmonies, I can believe it.

It was even more poignant as all members of the choir wore a little pin badge on their chests.

Each badge was a small pebble taken from the shores of Ben Mhor in memory of their much-loved minister who had tragically lost his life in the very hills he loved so much. The pebbles were painted with an oystercatcher, the favourite bird of that minister, Johnny Paton, who loved the island and its people so much.

As I approached the lovely wee church at Dervaig I was embraced, and into my hand was placed a small pebble with the oystercatcher painted on it.

I could not have received a richer gift if I had been given the biggest diamond in the world.

As I led worship in that beautiful wee church, I was very aware that love surrounded us on both sides of time.