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Viewpoints from Rev Linda Ricketts and Judith Edmonds 18/12/2015
 Rev Linda Ricketts
Minister, St Mary Magdalene Church, Gorleston
‘Hope is the feeling you have that the feeling you have isn’t permanent’ is a quote from Jean Kerr
The trouble is that, often our personalities and our health have a big influence on whether we feel hopeful or not, sometimes whatever we try we still feel pessimistic
By nature, I’m a pessimist – you know - the person who sees the glass half empty rather than half full. If you think the worst, as they say, you are not disappointed
 I remember when I first started going to church as an adult and a kind Christian lady told me that I must always have hope. It felt like another test that I’d already failed and been judged. At that time, I couldn’t even understand the concept of a future, my life was difficult and I was so unhappy, I was coping from mealtime to mealtime. ‘As long as I ensure my son is fed’, that was my aim and, as far in the future as I could look
But, because I was desperate and had nowhere else to go, because somewhere deep within me I knew God was the help I needed, I persevered with this going to church, reading my Bible, and praying lark
It wasn’t quick and it wasn’t always easy but, over time, I discovered that real hope isn’t a lifestyle or a set of rules. Once you experience God changing and healing your life – one step at a time – you learn that circumstances and history don’t have the last word. God does. When we put our future in His hands, my hope, your hope, is secure, now and for eternity
Judith Edmonds
Webmaster, Network Yarmouth
GOD BOTHERER!
I once received this accusation and it was intended to hurt as the person saying it was frustrated that he could not upset me no matter how he tried. I would not take part in the acrimony that he felt about a third person. I merely replied “thank you: that’s what He invites me to do”
So don’t forget, if someone hurls the ‘insult’ God Botherer at you, accept it as a compliment and be proud that you are doing the job God has given you, even if you don’t verbalise in that particular situation. Remember the words attributed to St Francis of Assisi as you demonstrate restraint and patience
“preach the Gospel every day, using words only if necessary”
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