Filling the Gap

Last week, on our ‘Lochs and Glens’ holiday, Paul, a ‘Norfolk-boy’, was our coach driver. Paul calmly, patiently, expertly, drove us hundreds of miles to, around, and home from Scotland.

One day Carl drove our coach. Carl’s a Welshman who’s lived in Scotland for many years. We learnt that his girlfriend lives just round the corner from us in Pakefield! He’s moving to Suffolk to be closer to her.

Paul had to have a day off; Carl filled the gap.

Yesterday at church Thea preached on Psalm 139. Written by David, it starts, ‘Lord you have examined my heart and know everything about me…’ It’s about a God who made us, knows us, and is with us always, everywhere.

The psalm ends: ‘Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts…’ Davids words, Thea’s words were helpful, encouraging, challenging…

Thea preached because minister-Lou is on holiday; Thea filled the gap.

Yesterday Jannik Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final at Wimbledon. Rachel watched most of it; I watched some of it. It was great tennis.

For many years Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic won everything in men’s tennis. It seemed that they would go on for ever. Occasionally players like Andy Murray challenged their domination…

Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have finally declined. Who would take their place? The Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry seems to have filled the gap.

This morning in my Bible I read from Ezekiel. God says: ‘I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land… but I found no one.’

It’s a picture… In ancient times a wall was the best protection from enemies. If there was a gap in the wall, defenders protected the gap until it could be repaired.

So today I’m praying for the vision to see where the gaps are, and the wisdom to know whether I should be the one to fill them.