THE today THING

By Rev. David Hind

 David is now the minister of Trinity Church Leicester and his articles have been greatly appreciated.  

The 16th November 2001 was a momentous day for Ray. Thirty-three years earlier, when his youngest son lain was born, he didn’t realize the journey that was ahead. Iain was severely autistic and the stress of home and life as a full-time teaching job took its toll.  Alongside this, Ray and his wife Margaret chose to pioneer care an support for autistic people. This was a difficult task and they were met with opposition, misunderstanding and many obstacles along the way.

 Eventually in 1973, after a huge effort, the Cambridgeshire Autistic Society was formed. Next, Ray and Margaret began extensive fundraising programme that led to the building of a new residential unit for autistic people. Today, as others have carried the work, twenty-three autistic adults have a safe place because one family made a start. On the 16th November, as we waited out’ Buckingham Palace, Ray, my father-in-law, was given an MBE services to people with autism in Cambridgeshire. 

Whether you have an appointment at the palace or not, today will only happen once. You will never get a second chance at this day and it is filled with opportunity, possibility and hope. You will make many choices today that determine its outcome and I urge you to seize the moment. So what can happen today? 

     Today you can know God is with you 

You will have moments today when you are alone. Remember, not only is Jesus with you, but He is longing to be involved in your life. 

     Today you can go deeper 

Your faith can grow, you can be filled with hope and you can forgive and be forgiven. The One who loves you unconditionally invites you to a new depth in your Christian walk. 

     Today you can be free 

God has no limits and today you can be free from pain, rejection, failure and negative habit patterns. The only limitations today come from you. 

     Today you can ask for your needs 

Whether you need healing, comfort, provision, or closeness, if you ask, the promise of the Bible is that you will receive.  

     Today a miracle can happen in you 

You can take a new step, extend the horizon of your life and realise that anything is possible with Him. You can take a leap of faith. 

     Today you can encourage another person 

You can help someone else, serve another and give to another in a way they will never find out. Today you can be an encourager. 

     Today salvation can come to your house 

People you love can find faith; family can find their way back to God; those who are lost can be found; and you can point someone to Jesus. Can you say, ‘I have lived life to the full today”? 

Carpe Diem  seize the day.