Sharing the good stuff

Anyone share my frustration with the media during the COVID ridden last few months? I thought we could have done with more 'we'll meet again' and less daily diet of doom. Given the global emergency, there was some amazing stuff going on. But apart from the antics of the legendary Captain Tom (now Sir Tom) the news circus seemed to revel in subjecting us to a barrage of grief.

Of course there were mistakes and we need to be made aware of the facts. But whilst journalists seemed to go out looking for trouble, they tripped blindly over all those amazing acts of kindness springing up from the grass roots. I only realised the scope of these when the BBC popped in a short programme about our hidden heroes of lockdown. More of that please! Much more! Like the brilliant stories of heroism from the VE Day screenings. They continue to inspire even now.

Could it be that as christian writers we need to turn things around? People do want to read about the positives. Are we in danger of overlooking them too? Aren't we tasked to share the 'Good News'?

In Jesus' day it travelled effectively by bush telegraph. Fortunately it was also recorded for posterity thanks to those who realised the importance of handing it on – telling it as it happened.

I'm so grateful to those who took video clips of the pentecostal-type awakening on the spot where George Floyd died. When the Circuit Riders rode into town to preach the gospel the response was seismic, with reports of baptisms and dramatic healings. A bit chaotic, like the original event in Acts. Did you know? It failed to hit mainstream news channels.

In my own tiny corner of Leeds I know of a miracle that has taken place in one life. A lad in his mid teens (call him James) was in despair, even suicidal. An atheist 'because of the way science is taught at school', he looked at nature and his instincts told him there had to be more. But bullying increased and he felt lost. One night, in the security of his own bedroom he cried out to 'whoever'. At once he felt an aura of deep peace. A wonderful presence was in the room and in an instant, James knew himself to be specially loved by God.

His grandmother was a lapsed catholic who had not brought up her family in the faith. But seeing the transformation in her grandson, she agreed to accompany him to the local catholic Journey in Faith course over last winter.

James has a passion for telling everyone his story. He appears at Mass with assorted family members, discusses why he has become a christian with school friends and anyone who will listen and has set up a YouTube ministry to share his story. He is now training for the three peaks to raise funds for the Samaritans.

Does anyone else have good stuff to share?

Eileen Padmore has retired from a life spent in health care  and academia, having worked in Sierra Leone, Zambia, Eire and Northern Ireland (in the troubles) as well as inner city Birmingham and Leeds.  She has had articles published in Woman Alive, Christian Writer and contributed to the popular ACW Lent Book. Married to a professional musician, the family includes a feisty springer spaniel and a large African tortoise. Her website/blog launched recently: benedictunravelled.uk