Pay it forward
No one knows what a day will bring forth. Yesterday morning I was up early reading through the sermon that I was going to give that morning in St James' Portobello. I was in a hurry as I loaded the car and reversed out of the space. While in the process of moving the car I scraped the door of a parked car. Well you know how you feel when something like this happens. Your embarrassed and also upset that you have damaged someone else's property.
Anyway the street was quiet and no one around. I took out my card and left my details on the windscreen. Then it was off to St James'. This is an interesting congregation facing the possibility of engaging in a new and a different way with the other churches in the area, once their present minister retires. It was a great opportunity to encourage all those who attended too take up the cause of passing the faith to the next generation. We received a little painting of the port from a member who was 100 years old. It was really quite delightful and touching.
Then it was in the car and straight for Glasgow. We took a wrong turn and found ourselves heading into Edinburgh city centre. Its always the case when your in a hurry to make less speed. Finally we got on the M8 and we arrived at the City Chambers with 5 minutes to spare before attending the Churches Together Celebration for the 1400 Anniversary of the City's Patron Saint Mungo. Then the unexpected continued during the service I realised I had to bring a greeting and a blessing. While looking for inspiration I was so glad that the Young Franciscans from Turnbull High performed such an inspirational mime depicting the power of Jesus redeeming love rescuing humanity from the temptations and powers of darkness. It was quite magnificent. It reminded me of the Giresoles Programme in Peru and the little sketch that the boys often perform to describe how they have been rescued from the darkness.
I was able to talk a little about Mungo and his birthplace which legend says was on the shores of the forth and some say it was at Culross. As Culross is directly opposite Bo'ness I have often thought to myself perhaps Mungo touched the shore here in Bo'ness. Anyway it was thinking cap on and the following was the little pray I composed.
May God the Father bless this great City of Glasgow
May God the Son make his face to shine upon all,
who seek to make the city flourish in the steps of Mungo.
Set us up like trees planted by a river
May we bring forth fruit that lasts,
Make us like the bird always singing,
Let us be like a bell always ringing out the truth
May we be fishers of women and men,
Letting Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the word
And the praising of his name.
Ring us around by the presence of the Communion of the Saints.
Then it was in the car heading back to Edinburgh. The phone rang and through the "hands free speakers". I heard a voice, " Is that you Mr Bogle," I realised it was the owner of the car I had scraped earlier.I mediately offered to pay for the damage." No need, "was his reply. I listened as he told me how last year during the snow, he had slide into another man's car. The man told him not to worry he'd take care of the damage. At that time he vowed the next time he was involved with an accident, he would pay the good turn back. You can image how delighted I was . And of course the next time it happens to me, I'll pay it forward.
Posted By: h On: 12 Jun 2012 At: 6:18pm
What a lovely blog -and even nicer with the happy ending!