Tuesday 1st September

Since lockdown began in March things have happened that we never thought possible let alone likely, but like everything else this crisis too will pass. Today schools return in earnest but we are still in uncertain times and the long term effects in a variety of life’s aspects are still unclear, from education to the economy to the long term mental health of the population.

Recently I watch the movie “The Keeper” which tells the story of Bert Trautmann a German prisoner of war who stayed in England after hostilities ended and became the keeper for Manchester City. He is famous for staying on the field in the 1956 FA Cup final, which City won, despite picking up an injury which later turned out to be a broken neck.  Many of the match scenes were recorded in east Belfast at the Oval and Wilgar Park but what made an impression on me was the singing of the hymn “Abide with me” which is still a cup final tradition though in recent decades it’s all but lost its significance. In the film the power of the hymn sung at a football match in wake of a devastating world war and the words.... “change and decay in all around I see, O Thou who changest not abide with me.” seemed particularly poignant today. 

However the months ahead pan out, whether the economy recovers or if we suffer the much predicted second spike of the virus one thing at least remains true, God does not change his nature and compassion are the same, and that is our hope, or the hope at least of those who depend on him.

Psalm 103: 17-18  “ But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – 18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”