Coming In To Land

Last night’s local news included an item on Lakenheath Fen nature reserve, Suffolk, where common cranes have nested since 2007. There was film of these magnificent birds with their 2.5m wingspan…

Last night’s report showed four large areas, about 5m by 10m, being cut out of the wetland’s reedbed to help the birds come in to land and take off safely.

Lakenheath Fen is close to RAF Lakenheath, that hosts the largest US Air Force-operated base in England. There’s runways where US aircraft come into land and take off…

Musing… Large beautiful birds coming in to land close to fighter aircraft coming in to land…

Also on the news was the story of Joe Nunn, a ‘relaxed and jovial’ lad who became addicted to drugs when he was 14. Joe died when he was 18. His family sought help from DAFS (Drug & Alcohol Family Support). Joe’s mother and sister described how DAFS helped the family cope during the last year of Joe’s life.

DAFS’ website states: ‘We work to help families find themselves again within the chaos of their loved one’s substance and alcohol use disorder. We provide unconditional, compassionate and empathetic support, in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment.’

Musing… DAFS clears a safe space where families come into land. Hopefully they gain the resilience and strength so that they’re equipped to take off again.

Perhaps this is a picture of church – or any supportive community group – providing a safe space where folks can come into land, finding the environment that they need… the undisturbed reedbed for crane family life… the support in times of aggression and hostility for military personnel… the compassionate understanding for families broken through addictions…

…Creating a safe space to come into land… providing, repairing, equipping… enabling subsequent successful take off…  

I was talking to Bill who used to be in the RAF. Bill’s very unwell. ‘I’ve not got long left,’ he told me, confident in his Christian hope of heaven. Bill’s anticipating coming in to land for the final time.