Thought for the week

IF you’ve ever watched “The Waltons”, you’ll remember the idealised, somewhat over-sentimental portrayal of an American family living in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. When they weren’t milking Molly the cow or strolling with Reckless the dog, they were gathered round the kitchen table eating or studying the Scriptures together.

As the father of four children, I can exclusively reveal that family life is rarely like that – at least not for us. Our faithful hound passed away two years ago, and we’ve never owned a cow. All together at meal times? Perhaps at Christmas or Easter, but Bible studies? That’s what the minister is for!

Like others, our church is on hold because of Covid-19; no Sunday services, no house-groups, no toddler club, no prayer meetings – except those at home. From July, we will have no minister either.

Interesting times ahead...

I was asked recently if God had sent the virus as judgment on a sinful world? I’d rather say that the Lord is without equal at taking bad situations and bringing good out of them. Without ever wishing to downplay the suffering and needless death which the virus brings, I believe that a few weeks of self-isolation, spent only with family members and with God might actually be a good opportunity to rebuild relationships while rediscovering something of what authentic Christianity is meant to be?

And what about you? I can’t invite you to church this Sunday, because they’re all closed. But I can remind you of the One who said: “Don’t be anxious about what you’ll eat, drink, or wear. Your Heavenly Father knows all your needs.”