Do you have a swimming pool now the hot weather is with us? If so, lucky you, although they do take some maintaining. We have started a Retreat centre for people who need peace and quiet in their busy lives on a plot adjoining our house plot – the land is in three plots of beautiful olive groves, so it seemed appropriate to call it The Olive Grove Retreat. Please do have a look at the website www.olive-grove-retreat.com and on the About Us link there is a video of our journey.
At the Retreat we have a small pool (which reminds me I must get it up and running asap) for cooling off. Splashing around is great fun and very relaxing isn’t it, without onlookers if you are conscious of your body not being the firm youthful joy it once was! I was watching Songs of Praise and there was an interview with a guy who used to be one of the Gladiators in that TV programme a few years ago. He still looks pretty fit, although he laughed when they showed a picture of him in his heyday. He spoke about his journey to faith, how he and his wife attended an Alpha Course, an evangelistic course which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions and a fellowship meal. It is described by its organisers as ‘an opportunity to explore the meaning of life’.
There are defining moments in our lives when things change; sometimes for the better; sometimes otherwise. When our lives change for the better we become different and as we look back we see the moments when we said Yes and never looked back. The saddest part is when we look back with regret, even anger.
John Osborne wrote a play Look Back in Anger which focused on the life and marital struggles of an intelligent and educated but disaffected young man of working-class origin. We all look back; if only I had done that; if only I hadn’t done that … if only.
My granddad said if only he had started a taxi business when he was young, he’d have made a fortune.
Del Boy always said he’d be a millionaire.
I say Rock On! The past is the past. There is no point dwelling on it. Be thankful we woke up this morning, to a new day of challenges and hope; even erecting and filling the little pool.
Have a great day, keep right on rockin’ and facing the future. The past is water under the bridge.
If you would like to chat, I’m always available and ready to listen. You can find me every Sunday at 11am for an Anglican Holy Communion service in the wooden chapel in Calasparra. Details and/or directions at:ahrea2@yahoo.co.uk
Tel 634 386 179
‘Bye for now and God bless
Rev Andrew