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MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER

Dear Friends

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard!

Following on from the recent death of our dear mum, the untimely death of our eldest brother Edward certainly caught the “Gallacher Clan” off guard. The unexpected diagnosis of his body-ridden illness (made known only five weeks ago) gave his children in particular and the wider family in general, little time to come to terms with what we had been told. The news certainly drew us all up short and brought home to each of us the reality that few folks are ever prepared for such a devastating situation. Thankfully, in that five-week period the whole family had opportunities to be with Eddie and all were able to express their thanks and say their own goodbyes, even though we had in fact been well and truly caught off guard.

The danger of being caught off guard was reinforced in another way, when, again in an unexpected fashion, a large brown envelope dropped through the manse letterbox. Inside there were several Safer Scotland campaign posters with the following words boldly printed on the front page: “Make sure your home is prepared for the winter” Each poster asked a simple question, namely, “Ready for winter?” and reminded the reader that “Doing a few small things now, could save a lot of trouble later”

How true those words are. Doing a few small things now can indeed save a lot of trouble later.
I know that for us, being able to say “thank you” and “goodbye” to Eddie saved a little bit of heartache in the sense that none of the family is beating themselves up claiming, “They never got to say what needed saying”

There is a wonderful story in the New Testament (Matthew 25: 1-13) about being prepared and not being caught off guard. Ten maidens were waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. Five of the maidens were wise and had extra oil for their lamp. The other five maidens were foolish because they had no extra oil. They were not prepared for any delay in the bridegroom’s arrival. Ultimately their lamps went out.

Whether we are preparing for the untimely death of a loved one. Preparing for the anticipated snow in winter or preparing for the coming of Christ, let us make sure that during this period of Advent – which is a God given time of preparation - we do a few small things now to save a lot of trouble later.

What can we do now?
We can tell family and friends that they are precious to us.
We can tell neighbours that they are precious to us
We can tell God that He is precious to us
We can tell ourselves that we are precious to God
We can tell ourselves that we are precious to others too
We can carry a few essential truths with us
Best of all, we can make sure that our HEART is prepared
After all, if we come to Jesus, He will make us glad.
Doing a few small things now could save a lot of trouble later.
With love to you and yours,
From your minister and friend in Christ Jesus
Rev Dr Jean W Gallacher.

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