Many years ago we went on a holiday with my in-laws and extended family
- a big group of us. We rented a lovely old house in North Wales. My
mother-in-law valiantly mastered the AGA while the younger ones explored
the rambling old house and discovered the many sheep around the property.
We all had a great time and when Sunday came round some of us decided to
go to church. We had a choice of two in the village – the Welsh speaking
chapel and the English chapel. Being of Welsh heritage it was tempting
for me to choose the chapel that would stir me with beautiful singing
and the harmonious lilt of the Welsh language. Instead I chose the
option that would mean we could all understand and join in the singing
and service.
As we walked into the chapel we found we were the first members of the
congregation to arrive. The minister greeted us at the door and as a
lady played gently on a small pedal organ we bravely made our way to the
front pews. We had to brush away a few cobwebs so we knew we weren’t
taking any of the regulars’ favourite pews.
We were still the total congregation when the minister left his
‘greeting’ place and moved to the pulpit, welcomed all visitors (i.e us)
to the service and proceeded to announce the first hymn. Our feeble
voices didn’t exactly raise the roof but we did our best and at least it
was in English!
The service continued with the lady at the organ (later we discovered
she was the minister’s wife) reading the Bible passage and taking up the
collection, and we listened intently to the sermon before singing once
again.
At the end the minister, with tears in his eyes, told us that they
prepared and lead a service every week despite the fact that it was
often just the two of them in the church. They didn’t want to miss the
opportunity of being there for even just one person who may step over
the church threshold. This delightful man and his wife were faithful to
what they believed was their calling despite not having the benefit of
seeing any results.
These dear people are almost certainly gone to glory now and I trust
will be receiving their reward for their faithfulness and dedication.
Whatever your beliefs and understanding of this world and life itself,
there may come a time when you have to ‘stick to your guns’ - a time
when you are so sure you are right even though this may make you feel
unsafe, unpopular or unloved. But hold fast to the feelings in your
heart and you will triumph – either in this world or the next.