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            Minister’s Letter                           March 2010

‘Would you mind writing the letter for The Torch?’ Malcolm asked in his email.  ‘No bother,’ I replied.  Thus I sit here with a blank sheet of paper, wondering what to write about. Then I remembered a visit to a friend’s house last month, and inspiration was staring me in the face.

A very lovely three year old little girl, with rosy red cheeks, big brown eyes and pigtails.  Add to this a little girl’s must – shoes with daisies!  There are lots of little girls who would fit this description, so what was so different about this one?

Well, she had a button-key accordion on her lap, and she was making all the right moves – the ‘noise’ coming forth wasn’t readily recognisable, but she was in seventh heaven, right down to tapping the floor with her daisy shoes!  Apparently, it was the first time she had encountered the ‘box’, but she was completely captivated by it.  I hope that her interest will be nurtured, as she seemed to be a ‘natural’.

How many of us started music lessons, but gave up because it was necessary to practice?  Nothing comes easy, nothing is instant – it takes tenacity and dedication.

Later this month, my daughter and two of my sons are hoping to take part in the Inverness Half Marathon.  This participation depends on their tenacity and dedication.  They have to work very hard putting in the necessary miles.  Come rain, hail or shine, they have to go out and pound the streets.  There are no shortcuts – no cutting corners – they just have to don their track suits and face the weather.  Nobody can do it for them.

It is similar to our faith, to our relationship with God.

It is a one to one requirement, which has to be ours and ours alone.  God does not ask more of us than we can give; he enables us to do whatever he asks of us.  We might find it difficult to test ourselves, but Jesus did it in the heat of the desert.  He was sorely tested but he endured it all.

Marathon runners have to endure the extra demands on their bodies, and the musician has to be disciplined in practising.

During Lent, we perhaps have a ‘taste’ of being tested by God, but with his help and our firm belief in him, we can pass the test.

The runners can finish the race, the musician can play a tune, and Jesus will be well pleased with his disciples. 

With best wishes                      Christine Creegan.

            Contacts
Minister: Rev Malcolm Ramsay B.A., LL.B., Dip. Min.
Tel. 01796 472774
Session Clerk: Andrew Brown
Tel: 01796 472232
Church Office: 01796 472160
Weekdays 9 – 12 noon  
Pitlochry Church of Scotland
Church Road,
PITLOCHRY PH16 5EB
e-mail: thetryst@freeuk.com