The BBC news last night discussed unmarried mothers in post-war Britain. Considered to be ‘fallen women’ and unsuitable mothers, their babies were taken from them at birth and given to ‘suitable parents’ who could adopt them…
When I was young, a good Christian family who came to our church lived round the corner from us. My brother and I often played out with their children. Daughter Jillian, about my brother’s age, ‘went away’ for a period of time. Her younger sister, my friend Pauline, told me that she had ‘fallen pregnant’. I was sworn to secrecy!
‘Fallen woman’ was often used to describe a woman who, in previous generations, had ‘fallen pregnant’. Just as Eve ate the forbidden fruit, so too the unmarried mother had eaten forbidden fruit and fallen both from her innocence and from the grace of God.
…Scandalously men were not seen to be fallen, carrying neither guilt nor baby!
Squirrels come to our garden regularly. Yesterday a very small young squirrel came. Jumping off the top of a fence post with uncertainty he landed in a forsythia bush. He tried once or twice more and seemed to get the hang of it.
Jumping and falling for the squirrel is part of learning and growing up. We all learn by our fallings and failings…
My friend Olly spoke of a recent conversation with friends about fallen sheep… When they are upside-down they need help from the shepherd to get back on their feet.
He linked this to the words of the Psalmist: ‘Why are you downcast (upside-down) O my soul?… put your hope in God.‘
Like the sheep we all fall. Some of us fall privately, some very publicly. We need help – whether human or divine – to get back on our feet…
I continue to be delighted to see those who rally round with practical empathy and compassion, supporting and not condemning those who have fallen.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Well written Malcolm. I entirely agree with you.
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Thanks Edwin. It’s always easy to point the finger at those who have messed up… As people and as Christians we need to help and support rather than condemn.
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Hi Malcolm, I was telling Oliver about the book I was reading, A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller where a sheep is ‘cast’ when it’s lying on it’s back with its legs in the air, hence down – cast. I recommend this book, it has some amazing insights into shepherding and our role as sheep of the good shepherd. I’m amazed at the way you come up with such insights everyday, thank you. Julie
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Thanks Julie
I remember the book – if fact I just checked my bookshelf because I thought I had it. It’s a good picture. I shall remember that a downcast sheep isn’t one that’s a bit sad or grumpy!
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