Echoes from the past

A reflection written by Worship Leader Liz Poynton in response to current events.

As we turn to the News Briefing in the afternoons I’m reminded of another time, back in 1982, when we followed daily news briefings bringing us news of action – and casualties – from the Falklands conflict.  Our troops were many thousands of miles away in the South Atlantic but then, as now, our world was turned upside down.  We at home were not in danger but then, as now, the news consumed us.  Each day the steady, undramatic tones of the MOD Civil Servant Ian McDonald brought us the official news.

But it is another voice which has stayed with me, especially in those times of crisis since 1982 which have inevitably overtaken us; it is the voice Army Chaplain Rev David Cooper who lived through the battles with the soldiers of the 2nd Parachute Regiment.  At the end of the conflict soldiers filled the Cathedral in the capital, Port Stanley, and David Cooper addressed them. 

The message he shared was, for me, simple: as you prepared for battle think of what felt to be most valuable to you in your life; as you move forward in your lives remember that and hold to it.

Today all our lives are turned upside down; some of us face a pared down life, others a life of hectic action, others a life of danger, and to many face heartache.  It’s possible in this situation to understand more clearly what is truly important to us; can we hold to that as life eventually returns to “normal”?
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Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wanderings be our guide;
Through endeavour, failure, danger,
Father, be thou at our side.
(Hymn “Father hear the prayer we offer”)