Find satisfaction in all that life throws at you

(FREDA is on the phone to her friend Lauren, wondering about their New Year.)

Are you doing anything for New Year? Shall we head off somewhere? I’ve got a bit of leave owing. I know, it’s getting late to plan anything.

Paul and Julie are having a party and we haven’t replied yet. Yes, staying up late to watch the fireworks on TV is a bit lame. I run out of steam at about 10.30pm these days.

We could make the trip to London to see the display! You know, stand on the Embankment with the crowds and count down the seconds to midnight.

Oh, I’d forgotten about the flu. You never know what you could catch on the Tube.

Shall we go away? Properly away? Take a plane somewhere warm and tropical. I suppose it will be peak season. But it’s New Year!

Poor Molly at the hospital has to work through now they’re not on strike. Serves her right. I told her she ought to look for a post in the private sector. They need experienced nurses there too.

Des next door? Oh, he’s volunteering again at the night shelter. No, he doesn’t just do Christmas for them. I think he goes once a week, except when he’s away for work. Can’t think it would be much fun helping a load of down-and-outs. I mean, what have they got to look forward to? Come to think of it, what have we got to look forward to?

I mean, last year wasn’t much to shout about, was it? A dreadful start with Alan turned away from A&E and told to take paracetamol and being found dead by his car two days later. Shocking. Him running a successful business, too.

Then poor Jim in June. Dead in eight weeks from cancer and him just retired. His poor wife. I suppose that’s why I want to do something, anything, to mark the date. We’re all getting on.

Paula? Oh, I haven’t heard from her for ages. I think her kids are settled at last. They gave her some grief on the way, mind you. Did you know she married again? There are two lots of kids now — her old ones and his young ones.

No, she’s no time for friends, really, not with his kids, and her mother. I just hope she gets some time for herself.

I saw old Henry at the shop last week, and he looked dreadful. Dreadful. But, do you know what, he came over and said hello, and how nice it was to see me. He’s got one of those walker things, but you could see he was just pleased to be out and about. Yes, good health! You’ve got to make the most of every day. It’s all a gift.

I suppose I mean the hours in the day, some work to do, then the freedom to make choices. Alan and Jim had everything going for them in their lives, and then just like that their time had gone. But I wonder what it means to live fully in the time we’ve got, however little that might be.

At least we’ve got our freedom, long may it last. I can’t imagine what it must be like to live in China, where they’re watching you all the time, or Russia, where they poison you or throw you out of windows. Yes, I don’t fancy either for a New Year break!

Does your Fred want to do something?

No, I know, it’s hard to get them interested. How’s his woodwork coming on?

I suppose when he’s in his shed you’ll get some peace. Unless he’s drilling or sawing.

I tell you what, why don’t you come over on New Year’s Day? Just you. Fred can be in his shed — he’ll be fine. I’ll put the kettle on, we can sit by the fire and sort the world out. Bring your knitting, if you like. I’m halfway through a jumper, and I could really do with your advice about the buttonholes. No, honestly, I think we’ll both have a great time. No telly, no screens. Just a good chat, a knit, and a pot of tea. That’ll do brilliantly. The world needs a bit more making and mending right now, don’t you think?

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6-13 — There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens:

6: A time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away. 7: A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak. 8: A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9: What do workers gain from their toil? 10: I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12: I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13: That each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil — this is the gift of God.

Rev Canon Kevin Davies,
Langtree Team Ministry