By Jenny Watt
About thirty years ago, when there was a W.I. market in Clare Town Hall, I bought a hot water plant or achimenes. It cost 20 pence and I was told it was possible to produce more plants from it, year after year. It’s an indoor plant and, at its best, has many blue flowers and continues flowering for a long time. Since then, I have given away plants that have gone to Devon, Lincoln, Essex, Berkshire and Suffolk, of course. Last year was a bumper year and there was a river of blue flowers rippling down many of the houses in Hertford Road, all coming from that original plant.
And wait! Your turn may come this year!
Of course, all ripples aren’t calm and benign. Sometimes, in a lake, for example, a ripple can surge aggressively across the water, battering the shore on the other side. I’m thinking of more peaceful ripples, how a seemingly small remark can trigger a never-ending set of actions.
In St John’s Gospel, Chapter 13, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.”
Think of the many people who, hearing or reading those words, have devoted time and love to others, help given to refugees in Calais and in all corners of the world, love shown to the homeless affected by war and in this country, people receiving support, sometimes just a word of encouragement.
From the time He uttered those words, the love that He intended has spread and I hope and believe that it is still spreading, until the time when it is known by all people.
And in Clare?
I keep a diary and reading through parts of last year, I came across an entry for a Sunday in August. I had been happily joining in the anonymity of Zoom services, when a visiting daughter said, “If you want to go to church, I’ll come with you.”
I dubiously agreed, but I was extremely nervous. What would people think of me appearing after so many years? I nearly backed out at the last minute. But I need not have worried. People I didn’t know we’re kind and friendly and those I did know we’re so overwhelmingly welcoming that I was filled with humility and joy.
Yes, the message has indeed reached Clare!
(Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash)
