Facing Matt’s, Brian’s and Carrie’s Giants

I’ve heard the story of David and Goliath many times – a shepherd boy faces a giant and kills him with a sling and a handful of stones. Some folks emphasise David’s example – his courage or trust in God; some speak of God preparing us for the dangerous and unexpected; some say that we should face and defeat the giants in our lives – fear, broken relationships, anger, prejudice…

…Having my hair-cut. Matt, who’s cut my hair for many years, was telling me about a recent angry and abusive customer. He accused Matt of having shut his shop the previous week when he wanted his hair cut. Matt insisted that that his shop was open. The man became increasingly threatening and abusive. Matt showed him his previous week’s appointments’ diary…

Matt stood his ground, faced his ‘giant’. The man walked out – without a hair-cut.

…Chatting to Brian. Brian’s a big man, who trains with a local wrestling group. Together they put on shows. He talked about learning the wrestling moves, the camaraderie between the wrestlers, developing a wrestling persona for when he’s in the ring. Brian’s done amateur dramatics – he knows about developing a character…

Brian regularly faces giants in the ring. He may lose, but he’s never in any danger. The fight’s carefully planned, the moves choreographed.

…Reading ‘Carries War’. Teachers in school often read it with their class. Set during the Second World War it tells of Carrie and her younger brother Nick, who are evacuated from London to a Welsh village. It tells something of author Nina Bawden’s own experiences of evacuation…

Carrie left the danger of air-raids and bombs for the challenges of a very different life with people she didn’t know…

Musing… The giants in my life… Matt’s – where I may feel uncomfortable or threatened, but I must stand my ground… Brian’s – which may look huge, but are really safe… Carrie’s – which I must escape from, but may encounter others…

…And I’m praying for wisdom to know which is which.