Doing the Right Thing

Yesterday in church we thought about being part of a team – in sport, in an orchestra… We considered the picture of the body – where fingers, feet, ears and eyes are all different but have an important part to play.

We thought about valuing diversity, appreciating others, sharing strengths, carrying weaknesses, recognising the importance of all… and that I have a part to play, I have a role; in that role I have to do the right thing for the sake of the team.

Cycling home from church I saw a phone in the road. I rung the bell of the nearest house. An elderly man came to the door holding a toothbrush and toothpaste. ‘Do you own that Hyundai?’ I asked. ‘This phone was by it.’

He pointed to a house opposite. ‘Try the family over there.’

I crossed the road and rung the bell. A dog barked. I heard small children. A man opened the door. I held out the phone. ‘Darling, have you lost your phone?’ he shouted. She had. He gratefully took it. Toothpaste man checked all was OK.

I’d done the right thing.

Yesterday afternoon we returned to church. Today is Gordon’s funeral. Friends and family were making sure that that the church was tidy, service sheets were ready, tables for refreshments were set out, all was in order.

Final details were confirmed and discussed. Everyone wants everything to go well today – making sure that we do the right thing to remember and honour Gordon.

Musing… ‘Doing the right thing’…

‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ – Martin Luther King.

‘Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.’ – C.S. Lewis.

‘If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty give him water to drink.’ – King Solomon.

‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you… If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also…’ – Jesus