Day Thirty Seven - I have a Dream, a man once said

In the late 1940’s, and into the 50’s and 60’s, the world of children growing up was so different from today’s children. Life seemed to move at a much slower pace. Certainly no after school clubs, children dashing from one activity to another, but I do remember music and dancing lessons (we could only choose one, couldn’t afford both!). The excitement of birthday parties and sleepovers. However opportunities for travel were very limited. Shopping trips for luxury items were few and far between but taking a bus to Doncaster was certainly a great day out with the wonders of the market and the shouting and bartering between the stall holders just fascinating to a small child. Even to a growing teenager. Trips to the coast took our family as far afield as Mablethorpe, Cleethorpes and sometimes even Scarborough.

We were always encouraged to ‘be the best we could be’ to think big, to let our imaginations roam, to pretend, to dream the impossible dream (think there’s a wonderful song with that title?).

As you are all aware we are not allowed to sing in church during these strange times but Rev. Geoff encourages us to sing the words in our minds and even hum the tune if we wish, which we often do. If one listens carefully strange muffled sounds can be heard around the church. A few Sundays ago our Minister introduced us to this hymn by Pamela J Pettitt, which we sang in our minds to the tune ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’:

“I have a dream”, a man once said,

where all is perfect peace;

where men and women, black and white,

stand hand in hand, and all unite

in freedom and in love”. (twice)

But in this world of bitter strife

the dream can often fade;

Reality seems dark as night,

we catch but glimpses of the light

Christ sheds on humankind. (twice)

Fierce persecution, war, and hate

are raging everywhere;

God calls us now to pay the price

through struggles and through sacrifice

of standing for the right. (twice)

So dream the dreams and sing the songs,

but never be content:

for thoughts and words don’t ease the pain

unless there’s action, all is vain;

Faith proves itself in deeds. (twice)

Lord, give us vision, make us strong,

help us to do your will;

don’t let us rest until we see

your love throughout humanity

uniting us in peace. (twice)

I think it’s wonderful that today’s children and young people have such great opportunities. Their horizons so much bigger than we could have ever imagined. Their world so much smaller, travel and technology forever expanding. But this year we’ve all experienced difficult and challenging times. Our lives often put on hold, our world retracting often confined to the house, garden and surrounding areas. Visits from families and friends severely curtailed.

In Joel Chap. 2 verse 28 we read:- ‘Your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men see visions’.

Now more than ever we need to continue to hold on to our dreams and our visions. To remember that we are not alone, that our Lord Jesus will walk beside us as we face the way ahead.

Keep your Faith:- ‘One day the Sun will rise on a bright new morning when clouds of doubt and fear have blown away. When the dark night of suspicion pales into the dawn of trust and the world can look will hope on each new day.’

Betty Bentham