Dover Beach

Friday 30th April, 2021

Another day of mixed weather...sun, cloud, rain and sleet. I was asked to go to help plant onions in my friend's allotment. First I went to the funeral via cyberspace of my 58 year old pupil cum friend. It was extraordinary. His two sisters and two brothers and a friend of his gave eulogies. Why is it that one realises such wonderful things and hears such remarkable things only in death? I came away feeling deeply sad and also angry with myself for not having gotten to know him better. I have a faith and am hopeful of the continuing of the friendship in God in another dimension. May he rest in peace. In life he was a giver, a listener, may he have eternal bliss and joy.

I continued to dip in to Dreher's 'The Benedict Option'. He continues to chart the demise of the Christian culture and faith in America. He quoted Matthew Arnold's 'Dover Beach'

The Sea of Faith

Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore.

But now I only hear

It's melancholy, long, withdrawing roar,

Retreating, to the breath of the night-wind, down the vast edges drear

And naked shingles of the world.

I am fascinated, stimulated and appalled by what I read and learn.

This afternoon I went to help plant the onions on the allotment. Huge fun and wonderfully earthy. Other allotment owners there and notes on rhubarb, onions, potatoes and much else exchanged. Afterward over terrine and coffee we spoke of the content, the definitions, the truths of Christianity. The book notes how gay marriage and transgender issues and the sexual revolution, with much else, has destroyed the Christian ethic and sent it in to retreat. I then thought of a close friend, a man of kindness, generosity, selflessness and much else that is good, who has married his male partner. Would God condemn? Would Christ? Biblically it seems he would. So much to pray about.

I then walked in the rain and under an umbrella the Tay walk on the Dundee side. No one about until I came across a man searching for a Tesco store where he has been appointed the security guard. But the store does not exist at the address he was given. Another mystery.

Now I await a Tesco delivery. I have time to ponder and pray. It is not easy is it, this life? Yet how rich and rewarding even in pain.