Morning
thought for Sunday November 8th
You do not
need me to tell you that Today is Remembrance Sunday the day we especially
remember and honour the memory of those who sacrificed themselves in various
ways to safeguard our freedom.
For many it
is a day of great importance, stirring good but sad memories, pride and loss. I
have thought hard how to relate today to my work and experiences in Eastern
Europe. Certainly what I have seen in different countries in eastern Europe has
made me really very grateful for the freedom we count as normal here.
I remember
our first visit to the Republic of Moldova. It had been a very long process to
gain admittance to the country. We spent many hours in the no man's land
between Romania and Moldova, getting countless pieces of paper stamped while
armed guards looked on and yelled if we went the wrong way.
Once we
finally got into the country, it seemed nobody smiled or relaxed. We were
struck by the obvious unease with which the people viewed us, even when we
handed out food, and other benefits, it proved very hard to talk with them. They
were constantly looking around to check nobody was within earshot. It was the
pervading sense of fear and lack of trust that struck us on the first visit. I
still remember it 15 years later.
Today I
thank God for the sacrifices made in the past that mean we on this island today
are not bound by fear but can relax and trust.
Here is a
short excerpt from Ruth George’s poem
I heard the bugle, the hills echoing its tone,
Paying tribute to each soldier, no one was alone.
It seemed as if I heard each one of them say,
"For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today."
God bless
you and take a few moments today to be thankful.