Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson
THE BLESSING OF A GIFT
It was in the early 1980’s that the United Kingdom was hit with the Miners Strike that was to result in a great deal of conflict, grief and the closing of many mines. Margaret Thatcher was taking a very firm stand against this working community which was headed by a fiery leader known as Arthur Scargill.
We were located closely in the area at the time, leading a church in Chesterfield. Our eldest son, Philip was much involved with the situation as he was a policeman in the South Yorkshire Constabulary. A lot of fierce talk and strife was in existence, but in the main, the miners were a good company of people who felt they were up against the political leaders who were set on mine closures.
Being out of work over a considerable period of time meant that many families did not find it easy to exist and were dependent on the kindness and generosity of other people who were sympathetic to their cause. They felt the strain of day to day to living and every pound was of value to them.
Because the mines were closed as a result of the strike, it also meant that other men who worked at the pits doing essential work like the electricians, joiners etc., were without employment and finance.
In our church at Chesterfield we had a woman come to us who was a choice Christian. Her name was Sandra Creswell. She loved the Lord and was very committed in serving him and faithfully attended the services. Sandra had a warm, glowing disposition and was not afraid to share her Christian faith and testimony with others. In conversation with her, she loved to talk about Christ and the things of God.
Being a Christian minister, it was my practice before retirement, to visit the church members in their homes to meet other members of the family. It had been a choice experience over many years to pop in and encounter new people in this way and to establish some healthy and meaningful relationships. I entertained the idea, that if people could come to church and give of their time, energy, gifts and money to Christ and His kingdom, I could also meet and minister to them in their homes. It has been one aspect of Christian ministry that has brought some welcome experiences that have led on to other things.
Well do I recall visiting the home of Sandra during the pit crisis? Her husband, Keith, was a joiner at a pit and at that time was out of work. He was and is a charming man and it was a pleasure to meet and hold meaningful conversations with him on many things. He gave me a kind welcome which I appreciated and I respected the difficulties that this couple had to face at this time. It was not something that they had chosen but they were caught up in the matter through no fault of their own. There was no complaining spirit but a quiet resignation of being; trusting things would speedily draw to a satisfactory conclusion.
Before leaving I felt that I should personally leave a monetary gift to help them a little. It wasn’t much but at least it showed some care in their situation. Little did I know what that small contribution was to trigger off?
Keith apparently was inwardly and profoundly moved by the kind gesture, that a Christian minister should act so. He made up his mind that he would attend our Christian fellowship. Any barrier that had been there previously was gone and we were delighted to welcome him. The greatest thing of all, he came to personally own Christ as his Lord Saviour and was baptised in water in confession of faith in Him
It is good to report that he has never looked back and has gone on as a Christian believer and quietly lives out his commitment to Him. From that visit, a close and warm bond was introduced between us that lasts to this day. Keith looks back on that occasion, when the divine change began to take place that led to his Christian conversion. A loving monetary gift started things off! To God be all the glory!
