THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

It is said of some folk that they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. This may be a bit sweeping, yet there is a kernel of truth to the saying. For example, take the value of the Gaelic language.

My great grandmother was a Beaton from Glenhinnisdal, Skye. She was a monolingual Gael. Her daughter, my grandmother was completely bi-lingual. My father was only taught to speak English. I have worked away at reading and singing in Gaelic. My eldest daughter has her Advanced Higher in Gaelic. Simply, the two most recent generations have valued the language, whereas just one generation, my grandmother’s, thought there was no cost benefit in ‘getting on in life’ by passing it on. Similar stories are shared by countless families.

A striking example of the worth of the language is found in our weekly Zoom Gaelic Bible translation group. We delve into the language and thus into the faith. We question both the language and the meaning of a passage. Folk from Lochaber and Argyll are joined by others from Nova

Scotia, the Netherlands, Japan and India.

Another example of value has been evidenced in our Gaelic YouTube service. For a service put together by the congregation of Kilmore and Oban it has had approaching 400 views. This is four times our usual weekly service on YouTube (visit www.obanchurch.com).

Have we made any money from Bible Study and the YouTube service? No. Have lives been touched through faith? Yes. As Jesus said in a parable, faith is like a precious pearl, so treasure it far more than wealth.