A MAN was once driving around town in a mad panic late for an important meeting and he couldn’t find a parking space. Finally, in a fit of desperate panic, he looked up toward heaven and pleaded, "Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking space just this once, I promise that I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up my dissolute lifestyle, totally, forever." Miraculously, a parking space appeared right in front of him! The man promptly looked up again and said, "Forget it Lord. I just found one." Oh dear. Does that sort of attitude remind us of anyone we know? If we are entirely honest, we can all be a little self-interested and lacking in gratitude on occasion. Rare and regrettable human lapses, though most of us do at least try to be understanding of negative behaviour, in the spirit of Christian charity. After all, as Jesus Christ himself counselled, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone." (John 8:7). Ultimately, it is by allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God and in following the example of Jesus that we learn the value of an understanding and tolerant disposition. That is what being tolerant and understanding requires: acceptance under duress; patience in adversity. These virtues, fostered openly in our daily lives, will not only speak volumes about us as Christians but also effectively demonstrate the unassailable power of the living Spirit of God.

Graham Phoenix, Ministry Team, Kendal Unitarian Chapel