Communication

 Many years ago, when my older daughter was only eleven years old, my family had the opportunity to visit China. I thought we had a wonderful trip. We spent time in Beijing and went to the Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City, and saw people flying kites inTianamen Square. 

On the journey home, I asked my daughter if she had enjoyed the holiday and was surprised when she hesitated. When I enquired further it transpired that she had felt unable to communicate with people because she couldn't read the signs, speak to local people or understand what was said to her. 

I tried to assure her that there was no need to learn the language of every country she went to for a two week holiday, but she would not be disauded and soon after thatn I enrolled her in the local Chinese school which ran on a Saturday morning. Her interest in the people, language and culture of the far East endured and she went on to study Mandarin at school and reads, writes and speaks the language fluently. 

I was reminded of this when I visited the USA recently and a Jewish friend who is very dear to me asked how I could follow the Christian faith when there were three Gods. When I looked confused she added that she understood there was the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and how could a sensible person like me believe in a ghost.

At first I smiled, and then I thought that I shouldn't do that. I had been asked a sincere question about my faith and it was my responsibility to answer it fully. It was my duty to communicate the tenents of my faith, I hope I did just that, particularly explaining that the ghost my friend had heard about was more of an all-encompassing Spirit rather than a hallowe'en caricature.

This also made me conscious of the fact that when I am writing, even if I am writing fiction, I need to be clear about the positive messages and themes I am covering so that my readers are aware of the importance of the goodness of God throughout my work.