Minister's letter

November 2007

Thoughts from the Methodist Manse

I was flicking through the TV channels with the remote the other day and came across a whole evening’s “Who Do You Think You Are?”  Unfortunately I didn’t have time to watch the programmes – I’m sure I would have found them fascinating. 

Much of the programmes’ power lies in the person’s reaction as they discover an important detail of their family’s past.  The present day individual unearths the long-standing story which they will continue to shape in the present and future. The temptation is to see the past through rosy spectacles but the programmes present uncomfortable truths and shatter some illusions.

We’re approaching the time of year when we tend to specially remember people who have ‘gone before’.  At times it proves difficult to keep hold of realistic memories; remembrances can easily become sweetened with the years.  Of course this helps to protect the positive side of the one you knew and loved.  Yet it distorts the story of which you are part.

It’s interesting to hear the celebrities reflect on aspects of their own personality & to see a connection with past family members.  It reminds us that we are each a glorious mixture of character traits – some good, some bad; some we’re happy with, some we’d rather not have.  None of us is perfect (and no-one ever has been!)

The witness of the Bible is that God is the only one who can claim perfection.  God is the One who remains faithfully with people, accepting and loving you & me.  God invites you to offer honestly who & what you are to God and to be transformed by him/her.  You may be ashamed of things in your past but, with God’s help, you don’t need to be bound by them. God calls you into loving freedom.

So as you remember others and your relationship with them, do not let the hurts and difficulties of the past weigh you down.  May you offer them to God who is waiting to take them gently from you.

Bye for now,                                                      Judith Jessop

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Grenoside Methodist Church - 15/11/2007