a perilous path

Another day of trying somehow to stay ahead of the game.

And it didn't feel as if I was always that successful.

I'd gone along to the school first thing - as I thought had been arranged - to be with the P6s again for the third of their four lengthy sessions on who Jesus is and what his story is.

All after the soups had been made, of course. it's a Tuesday after all.

But I got there to find that the whole Upper School was watching the infants' 'Nativity'. Which I wasn't going to interrupt.

So I scurried back to the halls along here. And on the way I met an older lady who was struggling along on the very icy pavements that there are these days.

I asked if I could help her along, give her an arm, that sort of thing. Without being overly forward or anything.

Was I going to the doctor's, she asked. I know I'm just a wee bit tired, but I didn't really think I looked that bad! So, No, I said. I'm not, but I could if it helped you out.

I thought she was maybe wondering if I'd help her along that far.

If you would do that, she said (as in, go to the doctor), I'd really be most grateful. Here, she said, take this.

And she passed me a bottle of what looked like wine, wrapped up in its Christmas paper. Which I thought was rather generous - for me just going to the doctor on her behalf.

Until I realised, the bottle was not for me, but for them - for the doctors' Christmas party.

So I did my Santa Claus bit and I handed in her gift. And then came out and there was another man, struggling down the icy, slippy pavement. And not enjoying the prospect one small bit.

So I gave him a hand as well and saw him safely into the doctor's surgery. And I thought to myself, I could get a full-time job doing this.

Helping all these many different people as they struggle along these slippery, difficult paths.

But then I figured I've got that job already - in a slightly different way, of course!

It was just as well that I ame back when I did, mind you. The database guy was in again, to sort out some things that we'd raised with him. It was good to be there when he came.

Then my chaplain came.

Yes, I have my own private 'chaplain', who meets me maybe once every six months or so. A delightful lady who's easy to chat with and who always makes a point of praying for me.

Then she was off and Douglas was in for his lunch. The first time in a good few weeks since he's been in America, seeing his latest grandson (and his daughter, too, of course).

It was good to catch up, but it was all too brief since I'd had to re-arrange the session with the P6 pupils for the afternoon and so needed to get along.

It was great with them again. Despite it being siesta time - at least it felt like it should be for me.

But none of them fell asleep and I hope that's because they were actually gripped by the way and the things Jesus taught.

Which was what I was on about today.

And, yes, we had a whole load of fun in the process as well. Because I think Jesus did as well. When he taught.

From there it was off to the other side of town, to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

It's a huge long trek, unless you do it at dead of night when the traffic's not so bad. But that's not so good for the patients, of course, so I have to go through the day.

The traffic these days is really bad.

I think the Council must be playing some sort of a game these days. A sort of 'maze' that they make, which changes each day, so that there's only one way you can get to the place that you're going.

And it's not the way you think. And it's not the way you chanced on last time out.

A trial-and-error, guessing sort of game. Which must give someone somewhere loads of fun.

Biut not too many motorists. Judging by the look on their faces most of the time.

I guessed pretty well on the outward leg, so it didn't take dreadfully long. Though it was a rather different story coming back.

The looks on the faces of those I went to see was worth the time and effort. It was good to see them all. To chat and catch up and then to pray - for them and for the others in the hospital, and all who work there, too.

I didn't get back 'til well after six. Which meant a pretty rapid turn-around to get down to the halls again and get things all set up for what would be a lengthy evening meeting.

Good. But certainly lengthy.

Like the man and the woman this morning, and the traffic on the roads this afternoon, we, too, are on a journey which is fraught with many hazards and is often really slow.

We'll get there, though. As they all did today.

Even though it often seems quite slippery and the way is not that clear.