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 A few years ago I was on a ministry visit to North America with a colleague. My friend was asked to give the keynote sermon in a very large church. The theme of his talk was about how God has a solution for every predicament we find ourselves in. He would say things like, “you may feel like your life is a mess and hopeless, but, God can bring order out of chaos”. The theme and his delivery were as usual, excellent. However he seemed to have forgotten that we were in North America where words can have different meanings. I must admit, I and a few hundred others tried to stifle our chuckles when he kept repeating, “No matter what you’re going through – God’s “but” is big enough”!

Have you ever felt that people just don’t understand you or what you’re going through?

The Bible tells us that, “those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved”, and “Taste & see that the Lord is good”.

Why not take some time today to talk to God. Let Him know how you feel and what you really need. Be yourself. He understands your language.

Whilst I was walking into a very busy Scunthorpe town centre last week a revelation hit me as I was engaging in my usual practice of studying the people. If you want to avoid being crushed in a crowd when shopping – just make sure the first things you take with you are a clipboard and pen, you are ensured a wide berth.

It’s amazing the variety of responses people have when they are approached by researchers carrying clipboards. More often than not – people just sigh & lie. They say, “I’m sorry I can’t”, when actually, they can. They say, “I’m in a rush”, when quite clearly they’re not. They say, “I’m already late”, when of course, they’re not even due anywhere.

Here’s a tip, if you really don’t want to complete a questionnaire just smile and say, “I’m sorry I don’t feel it’s the best use of my time right now”. The researcher is happy because you’ve been cheerfully polite and you are happy because you have
escaped.

A proverb in the Bible says “Worry weighs a person down; a cheery word makes them happy”.  Make Scunthorpe smile this week – be nice to someone when they’re least expecting it.