Starting and Finishing with Nothing

Several weeks ago, Paul was in hospital. His strength, energy, mobility and confidence weren’t good. He came home ten days ago.

Yesterday. with support and uncertain steps, he walked from his house to the car, then from the car park to a bench overlooking the sea. Later he was able to walk from the car to a coffee shop.

It’s good to see Paul’s progress, gaining in strength and confidence, improving from ‘a little’ to ‘a little more’.

This doesn’t always happen…

I’m reading ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. It’s 1930s Alabama. Atticus, the lawyer, is defending Tom Robinson, a black man charged with the rape of a white girl.

Throughout the trial, the testimony of white people is seen to be more credible than that of black people. Atticus describes this prejudice: ‘…the evil assumption that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women…’

Because Tom Robinson was black, he started with nothing and would finish with nothing.

A few years ago at church we were without a bass player. I borrowed an instrument and thought I’d give it a try. I started with a few faltering plonky notes. Gradually I gained in confidence, achieved a little competence and started to get the hang of it…

I like graphs – and particularly enjoyed the one below. If I am to believe that, I started from nothing and, even if I become a competent bass player, I finish with nothing!

This morning I read King David’s words in Psalm 131:

God, I’m not trying to rule the roost,
    I don’t want to be king of the mountain…

I’ve kept my feet on the ground,
    I’ve cultivated a quiet heart.
Like a baby content in its mother’s arms,
    my soul is a baby content…

Musing: Paul… it’s good to see progress. Tom Robinson and bass players… sometimes prejudice prevents change or progress. David… like a baby, sometimes it’s good to be content with nothing.