Football's Back ...

Gradually things are returning to normal! Or are they?

The first football to return to our television screens was from Germany. I remember waiting with anticipation for the first match. It was rather disappointing, like a training ground match, no crowd, no noise and a seeming lack of energy from the players. By the time the premier league returned broadcasters had experimented with “fake background crowd noise” it seemed to work quite well. Gradually the playing tempo increased as players got fitter and became use to playing in empty stadiums.

Formula One resumed from nothing to once a week.

Cricket is back again with a certain amount of background noise and England doing well. Even rugby has made a comeback. It is good that sport has adapted to the “new normal” and quite successfully with no virus spike.

This proves that it is possible to adapt and survive. How are we going to get through the next few months? I don’t think anyone is looking forward to winter!

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Plan ahead. There is a generally helpful saying- “take one day at a time”, but with the virus around planning ahead has become more important. From a business point of view I have found that ordering materials for building has to be done much earlier than normal.

2. Take small safe steps. It is possible to enjoy life and stay safe, particularly in the area which we live. It is possible to find places that are fairly free from people, and with autumn coming on (a little quicker than we would like) there will be fewer people around.

3. Follow the guidelines. I don’t like wearing a mask, but if it helps control the virus I will do it. None of us like being told what to do, but if we want to be a caring society we need to do our part. If we all take the measures seriously, the winter will be much safer. You will make a difference whatever you do!

4. Have faith in God. Down through the ages there have been may times when it has been difficult to live out the Christian faith. There have been times when Christians have been persecuted in such a way that it would have been easy to give up, but the faith still lives on. Even though we may find it difficult to pray or believe, we have a friend in Jesus who has lived here and understand humanity. He will help us through, but we do need to ask for His help.

5. Look out for one another. A caring society will help us through. Just doing something to help someone will actually make us feel better.

Here are some thoughts from Jeremiah, Chapter 29 verse 11. “I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope”.

Love from Martin