Sign-up for free e-newsletter

Viewpoint from Hazel Thackray 07/03/2025

Hazel Thackray
Great Yarmouth Minster
 

 “Here I am, Lord, is it I Lord,
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go , Lord, where You lead me,
I will hold Your people in my hand”
 
These words are the refrain of one of my favourite hymns—“I the Lord of sea and sky”. Each time I sing it, I wonder if I have ever heard the call---have I acted on it, or have I missed it completely?
 
We are not all called to become Ministers in the Church, there are many more jobs for us to do within the church that are just as useful, that can help other people in many different ways—and not just within the church
 
The “call” when it comes isn’t necessarily a deep, booming voice from the heavens as seen or heard in some films, but a little nudge, that takes us unawares—a twinge of conscience perhaps
 
I remember just over 20 years ago, lying in bed after a very long illness, when I had a “nudge” to go and visit a friend, who was ill with cancer. The former Hospital Chaplain, whom I had met when in JPH, was a wonderful man and would visit me at home when I was well enough to see him. I got out of bed and into my car and drove further than I had done for over 14 years. Walter was in bed resting, but got up when he knew I was there. We had a lovely visit, albeit a short one. I was so pleased when I drove home, that I had done that small thing, and even more so when I heard of his death a week or two later. If I hadn’t acted on that “nudge”, it would have bothered me, upset me, for many a long day
 
Your nudge could just be a little niggle that maybe you should be doing something for someone else, helping others in some way. Manning the church during the day to keep it open for visitors, giving to the Food Bank, helping out at the Pathway, serving a hot meal to those in need and talking to them, making them feel welcome and loved. Welcoming people as they come into church on a Sunday---you’ll never know what a difference it makes, but it does! Just small things that can make a huge difference in someone’s life
 
Don’t ignore that “nudge”
 

The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users

These views are personal ones and are intended to stimulate constructive debate amongst website users. We welcome your thoughts and comments, posted at the bottom of the relevant article. We would ask you to abide by our forum rules and may delete any comments which do not

We welcome your thoughts and comments, posted below, upon the ideas expressed here

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines