spring in the autumn

You push a door and find the door then opens. What do you do?

Caution says - you don't know what on earth you'll find there on the other side: so maybe you'd be best to play it safe.

The spirit of adventure says - you don't know what on earth you'll find there on the other side: so take the risk and go for it, it could be what you've long enough been searching for.

Well, it's kind of like a door has opened up for me along there at the school. I seem to be there almost every other day. I mean, I'm not: but it feels like that!

And I think the secretaries are starting to think it feels like that as well! I have to sign the book each time I come: signing in and signing out. Security and all that sort of thing.

But I think I need a book just for myself these days I'm in and out that much!

Today it was twice. A fleeting appearance at coffee time - and it felt like I think a fisherman feels when he's out on the sea and as soon as his line goes out any number of fish are biting at once and he's hauling them all back in.

It was that sort of feeling I had today. I'd hardly sat down than I had teachers lining up to 'book' me for their class.

The end result was a series of four short sessions (40 minutes each) over the next five weeks with the children of Primary 6. To cover the birth of Jesus, his teaching and his life and then the last one on his death and resurrection.

In other words, the heart of the Christian message!

Talk about an open door! And talk about adventure, too!

And then, to round it off, a chance to be in with the primary ones to teach them a bit about Christmas.

Not bad for a 15 minute coffee break!

I was barely through the door on coming back than I was meeting a couple who'd called by here to get some printed info on the church. New to the district they'd checked us out on the internet and thought they'd call right in and see it for themselves.

What a pleasure to meet the two of them.

Then after that I was rushing out to see a guy who'd come about the sort of roadside board we have and how we might improve that for the folk that stop and see it in their cars (it's up by the lights, so when the lights are red there's pretty much a sort of captive audience - at least for a few brief moments as they look about).

And who should I meet up there but a couple who've also been recently moving in - and were with us at worship on Sunday past. A lovely couple, too, and I was glad to remember their names and be able to greet them as they walked on by.

People. Always people.

That's how Jesus lived his life. In touch with God his father. And that mingling with the crowds of common people day by day. Sharing their lives, knowing their names, touching their hearts and bringing them all God's good news.

So then it was back to the school again for the SU group we've begun. A few more children this week. And fun again.

It isn't long we have. A half hour slot at best. But it's time well spent. Down on the floor with the children. A theme for the day and games to match and a chance for the children to learn just a bit of the life that Jesus gives.

It's brilliant! There are seasons in the purposes of God. And while it's very much the autumn that we're into here, it's spring, I think, in terms of what the Lord himself is doing in these days.

Leaves beginning to form on the trees. Doors beginning to open.

And hearts of young children (and maybe the staff as well for all I know) beginning to catch just a sense of the presence of God and something great, the stuff of their dreams.