This morning, I read words from the prophet Jeremiah: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls…’
Nine miles away, St Michaels Church, Beccles, has a fine 16th-century bell tower. Yesterday I learnt that the summer tours of the tower have been suspended due to herring gulls that are nesting there.
Beccles Town Council have said that the gulls become ‘Protective and aggressive… Parent herring gulls get protective around their nests so there is the potential for them to dive-bomb visitors.’
I thought of folks I know who when threatened, will become defensive, protective of their nearest and dearest, aggressive if necessary. It’s a justifiable position.
Last night we watched BBC racing commentator John Hunt open up for the first time about the murder of his wife, Carol and two daughters, Louise and Hannah. Together with his surviving daughter Amy, they talked openly about the murderer, Kyle Clifford, and the events leading up to that terrible July day last year, at their family home in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
John and Amy explained how they decided to talk publicly at this time because they don’t want their loved ones to be defined by their deaths, and that much of the initial reporting after the murders was inaccurate and added to their pain.
They described their trauma and grief… good people who have helped them… flaws in the criminal justice system… desiring truth and justice… the constant presence of Carol, Hannah and Louise… their legacy of love. Throughout the interview they spoke with understandable emotion, incredible dignity, open vulnerability…
This morning I’m musing on…
…The crossroads choice that comes in many contexts – defensive, protective, aggression or emotional dignified vulnerability…
…The choice made in the original Jeremiah crossroads text: ‘…ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’’
malcolmsmusings.org 
I watched the interview. How sad and yes how vulnerable the family were to be in such a situation. How great their loss.
with reference to the Bible Passage how sad and vulnerable are todays younger generations not very many young people nowadays are aware of the cross roads at all
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I was certainly impressed with the way that John and Amy spoke and handled themselves, relating their experiences and their views with integrity.
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Love the dignified vulnerability. Heartwrenching and impactful!
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What struck me, Wynne, is that as nations, as communities, as families, we are encouraged to be defensively aggressive – both by word and by example.
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I agree with what Wynne said!
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Your quote from Jeremiah was very appropriate for these days!
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It certainly is. We all need to make good choices – choosing the good way, and choosing to walk in tit.
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:>)
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