Coming – Ready or Not

When we were children we would ‘go out to play’. As long as we were back for dinner or tea at the Mum-decreed time we could go where we wanted. Sometimes I went with a group of boys ‘up the rec’ (the recreation ground) to play football.

Sometimes I joined a group of boys and girls ‘down the woods’ where we played ‘hide and seek’. There were different sets of rules that we played to – but always the ‘seeker’ would count to a hundred and shout ‘coming ready or not’.

I recently received a letter from Prostate Cancer UK: ‘Prostate cancer is curable if caught early before it has spread outside of the prostate gland…’

Yesterday Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy announced that he’s been diagnosed with cancer and that he’s currently undergoing treatment. King Charles’ recent cancer diagnosis… A number of friends have had cancer diagnosed… The repeated message is the same:

If cancer comes, it comes whether you are ready or not.

On Thursday evening we enjoyed a meal at The Ship. We got chatting to the waitress who took our order… a charming young woman called Erin. Erin told us that this was just a part time job… Usually she ‘works on ships’.

Erin told us that she’s an engineer. I was both surprised and delighted. Sometimes she’s the only woman on the ship. She’s soon to be allocated to her next ship.

Erin’s coming – whether they’re ready or not.

This morning I was reminded of Jesus’ talking about holding a party. He said that it’s easy to invite your friends. Instead ‘when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…’

We often make up our rules and decide who is acceptable and who isn’t; who’s in and who’s out. The church in particular has repeatedly got it wrong. The God of compassion and surprises includes many that we think are unacceptable.

They’re coming to the party whether we’re ready or not.