Well Organised – with Liam, Kenneth & Solomon

Norwich City have appointed their new head coach. 39-year-old Liam Manning, was born in Norwich and played for the club’s academy, but spent most of his playing career in non-league football. He’s held coaching jobs at West Ham, Lommel (Belgium), MK Dons, Oxford United and Bristol City…

Norwich sporting director, Ben Knapper, says, ‘This is an exciting appointment… He is an exceptionally bright coach who will push himself, and everyone around him, to develop and improve…’

Norwich City are getting organised for next season…

Last night’s local news showed Kenneth Wilson from Renwick, Cumbria. He’s on a 2,000 mile bike ride, with his cello, visiting all 42 English cathedrals, performing in nearly all of them.

He began in Newcastle on 19^th May. On Monday he was in Norwich; yesterday he played in Bury St Edmunds. He plans to conclude in Carlisle on 4^th July. He said he had ‘a reputation for being on the edge of sanity’.

Kenneth may be slightly bonkers, but he’s had to be well organised if his pilgrimage is to be completed and successful.

Last night we enjoyed our weekly church home group. We shared our concerns… children growing up needing different support… moving into a new home… close relatives with health concerns… new relationships… coming through bereavement… There was care, empathy and prayer for situations that aren’t always straightforward.

I thought of Liam and Kenneth… the important for my friends to make planned decisions, take clear direction, develop well organised lives.

This morning, reading Proverbs 15, Solomon gives wise advice:

¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.

¹⁷ Better a dish of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.

For Solomon the priority is discernment, cheerfulness, contentment and love. Perhaps there’s more to life than just being well organised.

(Bible quote from New International Version)