people

Slowly, I'm getting used to Thursdays.

Although today had a bit of a variation from the normal rush.

It's basically a 'school' day, seeing me in at the school as much as four separate times. Which means a good bit of walking back and forth.

Not that it's far - a five minute walk at most I'd have thought. Nor that I mind the walking.

It's just that it all takes time. Four times back and forward in a day can be as much as a further 40 minutes removed from the day.

Though there's always the chance to think. And there's always the chance I'll meet some folk as well.

Which is what happened when I went up town. I was pushed for time (in amongst the dotting to and fro between the school) so I took the bus.

And of all the people I met on the bus it was, I guess, the person I'd have most have wished to spend some 20 minutes 'catching up' with just at this time.

A conversation that I needed to have. And a 41 bus was maybe the only way I'd get to have it.

It didn't feel at all like time being wasted.

Nor did the meeting I had up town. Despite it being rather longer than I'd anticipated it would be. A good hour and a half. But that was because of the care that the person took to address the many details that are causing some concern.

And the journey back? Well, the upper floor of the 41 again, my favourite seat, right at the front of the bus. And company again.

There's a bus stop right beside the school, so I jumped off there, already a wee bit late for the SU group which meets there on a Thursday.

Though I'd tried to get a message to the guy who leads it with me that I might be somewhat late. I got the end, at any rate. 'H and G' sort of stuff. ("Hi and goodbye" for those who haven't ever watched the film, 'Sleepless in Seattle').

Just at the moment, once the SU group, and the lunches for the upper school, are done, it's straight on in to the Primary 6s for a four-part look at Jesus.

As I said last week, they're a wonderful year, and it's always a pleasure to have that time with them. Today it was on the life of Jesus. The range of different people that were really what his life was centred round.

People matter. That's what I wanted the children to see.

They matter. The children. They matter to God. And maybe the only way they'll get to see and understand that truth is if they see they matter, too, to me.

So I try and help them see that. Which isn't really all that hard. Since I'm a child myself and I love being there in the class with them, having a bit of fun.

They've got their Christmas Fayre tomorrow afternoon. So I'll try and get along for that as well.

Who knows just whom I'll see and meet in wandering round the stalls?!

People, anyway.

In the end of the day they're what really matter.